Natasha is a junior at Wellesley College majoring in Computer Science. She will be conducting UX research for the DCI website, working on wireframing, archiving, and finding potential updates to the site. Natasha is looking forward to developing her design and user research skills while working at the DCI. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, making puzzles, and baking.

Sazma is a junior at Wellesley College majoring in Computer Science and Economics. She will be working on the Programmability and Treasury Operations project to help design and build a programmable treasury function for use by commercial banks for their corporate clients. She hopes to learn more about the economic impact of digital currencies. In her free time, Sazma enjoys watching TV, trying out a new cafe or restaurant, and occasionally, reading.

Hi, I’m Josh! I’m most likely going to major in math and economics, and I’m interested in all things regarding economic policy, probability, or even card games like poker. I’m from a small town in Southeast Oklahoma, and I enjoy hanging out with friends in my free time. Looking forward to working in the DCI!

Hello! My name is Antonio Ortiz, and I am a sophomore double majoring in Computer Science /Economics and Mathematics. I'm very interested in anything crypto-related, from L2 projects to NFTs. At the DCI, I'll be working in the Currency Efficiency Initiative. I hope that by better understanding how much energy traditional currencies use, we can better analyze the environmental impacts both traditional and newer currencies have on the planet.

Carol is a first-year student at MIT studying Computer Science and Engineering + Mathematics. She will be working on the Currency Efficiency project to build a web application model to better compare digital and fiat currencies in terms of energy consumption. She is interested in seeing how efficient different currencies are, especially cryptocurrencies, by analyzing specific currency metrics. In her free time, she likes to listen to music, read, and cook.

My name is Michael Sun, a current sophomore studying Computer Science and Engineering (6-3) and hopefully double in Business Analytics (15-2)! I'll be primarily working on Programmability & Treasury Operations with mentor Robert Bench on design of smart contracts running on distributed ledgers to automate certain functions of the treasury operations and learning things like distributive systems and virtual machines.

Benjamin, a sophomore majoring in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (6-4), is delving into a research project on the Proof-of-Work blockchain protocol. He aims to enhance its security while curbing energy consumption. His research centers on the influence of block rewards on hashrate, necessitating comprehensive data collection on mining costs, exchange rates, and ASIC efficiency. The outcome will be a policy that guarantees monetary neutrality and enduring security for the blockchain network. Outside the lab, Benjamin is passionate about rowing, poker, and culinary adventures.

Ashton Robinson is a senior at MIT studying Computer Science and a member of the MIT football team. He is currently working for the DCI as an undergraduate researcher looking at transaction privacy for the Ethereum ecosystem. He is interested in blockchain technology, but specifically, the ethereum ecosystem due to its endless potential. In his free time, Ashton enjoys working out, snowboarding, and hanging with his close friends.

Daniel is an MIT undergraduate studying CS/economics. At DCI, he is working on the Nakamoto + BRC and ADESS projects. He is investigating blockchain protocol modification and its relationship to energy consumption, security, and fiat value.

Dian Wen is working with DCI as a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) researcher. He is a fellow at MIT System Design and Management Master’s program and a manager of software engineering at Apple Pay. Prior to MIT, he completed a Bachelor's in Computer Science at Purdue University and a Master’s in Information Technology at Carnegie Mellon University. He has been working in the Bay Area since 2015 as a software engineer, tech lead, engineering manager successively and launched several popular FinTech products like Apple Cash, Apple Card, etc.

David is a junior at MIT majoring in Computer Science and Engineering. In the past, David has worked as a software engineer specifically on backend engineering and building robust scalable systems. He is a Music and Arts enthusiast and interested in finding ways complicated technologies can be accessible for a larger audience. As part of his UROP, he will be focusing on privacy issues in OpenCBDC-tx system, and will be implementing zero-knowledge proofs on the user level.

I am working with Tadge on Utreexo, a project in pursuit of making Bitcoin smaller. For the first part of the term, I will be refactoring and optimizing sections of the code that can be concurrent to run parallel. This will help in making utreexo more scalable as Bitcoin data continually grows.

Hello! I'm Marco, an undergrad pursuing a Bachelor's in Computer Science. I'm working on improving the hypothetical CBDC in collaboration with the Boston Fed. I'm really excited about the project and am looking forward to seeing it succeed.

Hi reader! I’m Viktor, and I’m an undergrad pursuing a bachelor’s in computer science. I work on distributed system feature implementation and performance enhancements for the Central Bank Digital Currency project. I’m happy to be a part of the team and am excited to see where the project goes!

Anne is an undergraduate student at MIT pursuing a major in Computer Science and a minor in Economics. She became interested in the blockchain technology and distributed systems after completing a summer internship studying the CBC Casper consensus protocol. As a researcher for Spring 2020, she will be working on analyzing proposed solutions for 51% attacks. Some of her other CS interests include algorithms, cryptography, and cybersecurity.

Ananya Gurumurthy worked on a CBDC prototype implementation in Python to demonstrate an interface for atomic swaps between different CBDCs. She was mentored by James and Rob.

Raunak is a freshman undergraduate at MIT studying Computer Science and Business Management. He became interested in blockchain technology in early 2017, and following a summer internship with a blockchain research firm in summer 2018, he launched BlockchainsForSchools, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects high school and college students with the blockchain industry. In his free time, he likes playing Capture the Flag, socializing with friends at Next House, and raiding MIT events for free food.

As an undergraduate researcher, he will be working on a tool that detects 51% attacks as they are in progress; he is supervised by Neha Narula.

Cole is an undergrad at Northeastern University studying Computer Science and Philosophy and is joining the DCI in January as a 6 month Co-Op. At Northeastern, he has tutored both the introductory CS course and various Philosophy courses. He also mentored and prepared students through their first Co-Op application while serving as a Fellow of the College of Computer Science. Previously, Cole has built CI pipelines, REST APIs, and DevOps automation. He looks forward to learning about the crytposphere and continuing development on CryptoKernel with James. Aside from his technical interests, Cole is also eager to explore the economic and philosophical implications of large-scale market decentralization that many crypto users and developers talk about. Cole also enjoys running, cooking, and playing chess badly.

Dan is an undergraduate at UMass Amherst studying computer science and math. Last summer he interned at Charles River Analytics as a Software Engineer Intern. He is interested in learning more about scaling blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies, and will be working on layer 2 and decentralized exchange tech. In his free time he likes to cook, play tennis, and bike.

Trey is an undergraduate student at Northeastern University studying computer science that joined the DCI in 2018. He primarily worked on extending and refactoring the Lit Lightning Network implementation with new features under Tadge and also renovated the Bitcoin vending machine in the Media Lab to accept payments though Lit. His goal at the DCI was to build "cool Bitcoin stuff" in new and creative ways. He also loves programming in Rust. Outside of technology, he is a proud Rhode Islander and a lifelong snowboarder.

Luke is a Northeastern University undergrad with a penchant for strange things that seem useful and interesting. He spent several years as a research assistant at Northeastern’s Lazer Lab, where he assisted in the development of the social psychology platform Volunteer Science (volunteerscience.com). He was new to the crypto sphere before joining the DCI, but has since come to see that it unequivocally checks all the “penchant” boxes. His primary role is to further the development of Cryptokernel, an open source blockchain toolkit. He looks forward to exploring the crypto arena and, hopefully, making his mark there.

Currently a senior at Boston University studying Computer Engineering with a focus on algorithms and distributed networks. At mit-dci Nabeel developed zkSigma, a stand-alone cryptographic library for generating non-interactive zero knowledge proofs of knowledge (NIZKs). In his spare time he enjoys video games and reading about current events in the Middle East.

Amanda is studying Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. She joined DCI in Spring 2018, as part of the Cryptokernel development team. She has a passion for cryptocurrency and cybersecurity, and works on the security and stability of the Cryptokernel application. Amanda hopes to pursue a Master’s in Computer Systems at MIT after her Bachelors, ultimately leading up to a career in Cybersecurity. In addition to academics and her work in DCI, Amanda is a Tour Guide for MIT Admissions, currently serves as the Alumnae Engagement Director for her sorority, and enjoys skiing, seeing broadway musicals, and traveling for fun in her spare time.

Bernard started exploring the great potential for bitcoin and blockchain technology in 2017 and was immediately fascinated with how they combine the two fields of computer science and economics. He currently works on the Digital Fiat Currency project to develop CryptoKernel into a useful resource for future parties to issue their own digital currencies.

Arturo studies computer science and economics at MIT. He is excited to understand the financial, economic, and engineering elements of cryptocurrencies. He joined the DCI community in 2016, participating in the Intro to Cryptocurrencies Bootcamp. He was a member of the Valuing Cryptoassets working group in Spring 2017 to explore the intrinsic value of blockchain-derived assets and their market dynamics. He is currently working on the Digital Fiat Currency project, implementing new functionality in Cryptokernel (a distributed ledger development toolkit).

In the Spring of 2017, Nchinda was a UAP for Tadge Dryja working on Lit-BAMF (Lightning Browser Actuated Multi-Functionality) for his senior thesis, which was a web based GUI for lit. Nchinda was also involved in the concept stage for ‘Blockchain Warehouse Receipts’, used in tracking agriculture in Mexico. Nchinda graduated from MIT in 2017 with a BA in Computer Science, and in 2018 with a Masters in Viral Media designing MedRec2.0.

Nchinda was a Member of the MIT Bitcoin club for 4 years, as Secretary, President, Webmaster, and Expo Director; where since graduating he still likes to be involved.

Nchinda was born in Cameroon, and raised in WI. He plays the tuba, euphonium and bass guitar. During his undergraduate time he was part of the Marching Band, Student Information Processing Board (SIBP), and Webmaster for his dorm. He has a secret passion for Chemistry, especially Organic.

He now works for the Cambridge start up MTonomy

My name is Ana Cristina Fiallo and I am from Dorado, Puerto Rico. I am currently a first year student at MIT, interested in studying Electrical Engineering and Computer Science with a minor in Energy Studies.

As an undergraduate at MIT, Michelle majored in Computer Science and Engineering, and minored in Energy studies. She is currently pursuing her master's degree (also at MIT), developing more accurate prediction models for household energy consumption, and working on system designs for smarter and more dynamic electricity grids.

Andrew Koh worked on the Solar Microgrids project that is based in Puerto Rico, which is currently run by Martin Wainstein.

Since joining the Digital Currency Initiative in 2017, Marla has worked on the Digital Fiat Currency and Open Music Initiative projects. She is passionate about making the blockchain and cryptocurrency space accessible to everyone through developing educational resources and tools. In addition to her work in the DCI, Marla is also the Co-Founder and President of MIT Women in EECS, a rower on MIT's varsity crew team and a leader in Amphibious Achievement. 

Erick Pinos worked on the Solar Microgrids project that is based in Puerto Rico, which is currently run by Martin Wainstein.

I am a student who enjoys being busy, enjoys pushing his boundaries and likes learning new things. You will hardly ever find me idle and I will most probably be working on something I have never done before or some hard challenge that will encompass my whole day.

I wish to develop myself as a professional in my field so that I can eventually go back to Puerto Rico and help bolster the economy and maybe mediate with the energy department to solve the immediate energy crisis.

My name is Claire Bao and I'm an undergraduate majoring in 6-3. Bitcoin may be the future of our financial system, and I'm excited to be a part of DCI's Utreexo team as an Undergraduate Researcher!