About US & FAQs

Assistant Dean of Teaching and Learning

Dr. Anas Chalah is the Assistant Dean for Teaching and Learning at the School of Engineering, as well as a lecturer in Engineering Sciences at Harvard University. He leads a team of engineers and collaborates with faculty to create an environment that encourages hands-on engineering education. As a member of the research and teaching senior executive team, he applies new pedagogical methods in developing experimental and design-based activities, as well as in supporting SEAS' growing presence in Biological and Environmental Engineering. Anas received his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Operations Manager for Teaching and Learning

Lila is the Operations Manager for Teaching and Learning at SEAS. Lila graduated from Mount Ida College in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science and continued her education at Boston University with a Masters in Criminal Justice. Lila began her career in higher education during her time at BU as a graduate assistant for the Prison Education Program. Outside of SEAS, you can find Lila cooking or at the nearest Chick-fil-A!

Administrative Coordinator for Teaching and Learning

Ashley is the Administrative Coordinator for the Teaching and Learning Group at SEAS. Ashley comes from a background in higher education administration and creative writing. She most recently received her MFA in Creative Writing at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she taught fiction writing workshops and literature courses for three years as a GTA. She received her BFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College, where she was the Managing Editor of The Emerson Review. She has formerly spent time rolling out and developing the Learning Management System, Canvas, at UNCW. Beyond work at SEAS, Ashley is an avid writer, video-gamer, animal lover, and rocks and minerals enthusiast. She is an advocate for exploring and furthering the meeting of diversity, the arts, and higher education pedagogy.

Manager for Undergraduate Student Experience

Rachel is the Manager for Undergraduate Student Experience at SEAS. Her academic training includes a BS in Archaeology and Materials from MIT, an MS in Manufacturing Engineering at Boston University, and an MLA in Ext Studies, Management from Harvard Extension School. Previously, she worked in industry as a Process Engineer in a tantalum metal refining and powder manufacturing factory, as a Research Engineer in electrolytic processing of rare earth metals, and has worked on other diverse materials science research projects, including: ceramics development for dental biomaterials applications, ancient Mesoamerican copper smelting, and polymeric photonic bandgap materials. She loves to make things by hand – sewing, knitting, welding/metalworking, carpentry, cooking – as well as spending time working in her garden, growing vegetables and flowers, and exploring nature with her two young children. 

Director for Active Learning, Biological and Environmental Engineering

Melissa Hancock supports the development and implementation of “wet” lab curriculum in Bioengineering and Environmental Engineering undergraduate and graduate courses. Outside of courses, Melissa assists students in designing and conducting laboratory experiments for extracurricular projects and independent capstone projects. Melissa holds a PhD from Columbia University in Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Studies. Prior to joining the Active Learning Labs, she studied axon guidance and insulin signaling as a postdoc at Harvard Medical School in the Department of Cell Biology. In addition to helping students dry soil samples, image insects on the SEM, and culture cells, Melissa enjoys crossfit, film photography, duct tape, and antique Danish furniture.

Senior Biological and Environmental Engineer

Avery Normandin is a Biological and Environmental Engineer with the Active Learning Labs at SEAS. In this role, he supports undergraduate and graduate coursework as well as independent design projects. Prior to joining ALL, Avery worked as a learning designer at the MIT Media Lab, focusing on the development of creative learning experiences in informal spaces. He studied molecular and synthetic biology at MIT and the University of New Hampshire. Outside of the Lab, Avery plays violin with the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra, volunteers with the Mystic River Watershed Association, throws on the pottery wheel, and enjoys going to the Brattle for a movie whenever possible. 

Senior Chemical and Environmental Engineer

Nicholas LoRusso is an Environmental Engineer with the Active Learning Labs at SEAS. In this role he supports undergraduate and graduate coursework and design projects while managing the wet chemistry lab space. Nicholas holds a BS in Environmental Science from SUNY Environmental Science & Forestry and a MS in Environmental Engineering Science from Syracuse University. He also served as the Aquatic Chemistry Laboratory QA/QC Coordinator at Syracuse University, and will graduate with his PhD in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Syracuse University in Spring 2023. Outside of work, Nicholas enjoys exploring new cuisines, running, and visiting family.

Director for Active Learning, Mechanical Engineering

Nora supports lab curriculum in the Mechanical Engineering Active Learning Lab. She holds a BA in Classics from Vassar College, an MAT in Secondary Science Education from Brown University and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Boston University. Before retraining as an engineer, Nora taught high school and middle school science for a decade. After earning their BS, Nora worked for several years in local startups on wearable technologies. When not at work, Nora enjoys rock climbing, reading library books and tinkering / building things.

Mechanical Engineer

Hanna Quigley is one of the Mechanical Engineers in the Active Learning Labs. Her role is to support classes and the work space. Hanna graduated from Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology with her Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering Technology and joined the team right after graduating. Through college, she has worked in a variety of machine shops and makerspaces, and even interned at Harvard for a year. Outside of work, she enjoys video games, Star Trek, arts and crafts, and baking fancy desserts.

Mechanical Engineer

Charlie Biggs is a Mechanical Engineer with the Active Learning Labs at SEAS. Alongside the rest of the M.E. team, Charlie maintains the lab space and supports classes in the Mechanical Engineering curriculum. Charlie graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, a secondary in Folklore and Mythology, and a language citation in Italian. He has previously worked in the medical industry designing and simulating MRI equipment and in the architectural industry creating professional models and performing materials research. Charlie also worked in the REEF Makerspace during its first in-person year managing activities and building up the space’s equipment and resources. In his free time, Charlie enjoys climbing, hiking, cycling, and playing ultimate as well as more relaxed activities including writing, painting, reading, and designing games.

Director for Active Learning, Electrical Engineering

Leo provides curricular support in the Electrical Engineering Active Learning Labs for undergraduate and graduate courses. He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of South Florida, an MS/PhD in Electrical Engineering from MIT, and an MEd in Secondary Science Education from UMass Boston. Prior to joining the SEAS Active Learning community he completed his Masters in Education through the Boston Teacher Residency and served as a STEM educator in the Boston Public Schools for over a decade. His graduate research was in the area of electronic devices and semiconductor fabrication, specifically researching Si replacement technologies (i.e. strained-Si/Ge) for applications in CMOS. As a STEM education professional he enjoys combining his passion for engineering and education by devising tools, processes, and systems to create impactful and sustainable student-centered learning experiences. Outside of work Leo enjoys making his family laugh, exercising the extreme patience it takes to be an awesome dad, experimenting in the kitchen, tinkering, surfing, and community building.

Assistant Manager, Instructional Electronics Shop

Benjamin is the Assistant Manager of the Instructional Electronics Shop at the SEAS/Physics Electronic Instrumentation Design Lab. He splits his time between supporting undergraduate electrical engineering coursework and designing instrumentation for research labs. He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Boston University, and an MS in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, Irvine, specializing in power electronics. Outside of work, Ben enjoys video games, watching basketball, and making ice cream.

Electrical Engineer

James Quigley is one of the Electrical Engineers in the Active Learning Labs. James graduated with a Bachelors in Electrical Science and Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After graduating, he worked in the space tech industry where he focused on RF circuit design. James is a big fan of football, chess, and all-you-can-eat buffets.

Electrical Engineer

Champa is an electrical engineer at SEAS who supports students and staff for lab course work. Her educational background is a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Bangalore University in India. Champa's major of study has been on power and energy systems. Additionally, she did research on using a distributed energy resource to minimize loss in a radial power system. Champa joined the Active Learning Labs in March of 2023.

Director for Active Learning, Computing in Engineering Education (CEE)

Mohammad develops a computational curriculum for engineering courses at SEAS for both graduate and undergraduate students. On top of that, Mohammad also supports students with their modeling needs in capstone projects. He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kentucky and has more than fifteen years of experience using various Finite Element Analysis commercial software. His research areas lay in many areas, including shape-memory materials, microfluidics biosensors, battery heat management, additive manufacturing, and material characterization. Mohammad enjoys spending time with family, traveling, hiking, and following European soccer teams while outside of work.

Senior Computational Engineer

Jason is a Senior Computational Engineer in the Computing in Engineering Education (CEE) team.  He supports SEAS faculty and teaching staff to develop and implement computational and simulation components in courses, assist students with modeling and simulation needs, and train teaching fellows and students in various computational tools and software. Jason holds a PhD and MSE in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan, and a BE in Civil Engineering from The City College of New York. Outside of work, Jason enjoys spending time with his family, playing/watching basketball, and learning something new every day.

Computational Engineer

Chelsea is a Computational Engineer on the Computing in Engineering Education (CEE) team. Her work supports computational engineering coursework, particularly in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. She holds an SM in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where her research centered on computational simulations of high-speed aerothermodynamics flows. She also earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University. Chelsea is passionate about justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racist reforms in academia. She also enjoys playing and listening to music, watching TV, and trying new foods.

Director for Design and Fabrication Instruction

David manages the development and execution of the machining and fabrication curriculum, training, and workshops. In addition, he supports the surrounding design studios with SEAS faculty and staff. David holds an MFA from the Academy of Art University and a BFA from Syracuse University. Prior to joining the SEAS community, he taught several courses in Industrial Design, Sculpture, and Jewelry for over ten years at the Academy of Art University. During that time, David also designed and created custom furniture and architectural elements for his company Sekoll Metal Designs in San Francisco. David now enjoys living in Cambridge and continues to pursue his passion in designing/fabricating furniture related products and researching current and future trends in ideation and manufacturing processes. His leisure time includes a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, camping, and fishing. At home, he spends most of the time in the kitchen exploring new culinary concepts.