1. What do you do, and how long have you been doing it?
I am currently a computer science and animation student based in Boston. I’ve just wrapped up my fourth out of five years and will be graduating in 2021. Right now, I’m interning at Facebook working on the Horizon platform, and I hope to be joining the organization next year to work on other social VR and AR projects!
2. What was your first job?
My first job was being an orientation leader at my university, but my first technical job was in front-end web development at Intuit working on Quickbooks Online Payroll. Being an orientation leader was a huge part of becoming involved with leadership in the SV program, and being a front-end web developer was a huge part in realizing I didn’t want to be a front-end web developer.
3. Where did you complete your formal education?
I currently attend Northeastern University, working toward a Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science and Media Arts and a Minor in Ethics.
4. How did you first get involved with ACM SIGGRAPH?
My first exposure to SIGGRAPH was when the president of the Northeastern Animation Student Association pitched the SV program at a meeting after her first time volunteering the year before. I was accepted to volunteer at SIGGRAPH 2017 in LA. Since then, I’ve been a team leader in Vancouver (2018) and LA (2019). Since our university’s first volunteer in 2016, more and more people have applied to volunteer every year!
5. What is your favorite memory of a SIGGRAPH conference?
My favorite SIGGRAPH memories are actually those that take place after the conference (Don’t get me wrong. There are too many amazing things about the conference to count.). Reconnecting with the amazing people I’d met at the conference, building up the SIGGRAPH community throughout the year, and, especially as a team leader, seeing first-time attendees and volunteers rave about the experience always fills my heart.
6. Describe a project that you would like to share with the ACM SIGGRAPH community.
7. If you could have dinner with one living or non-living person, who would it be and why?
I’d love to have dinner with Lisa Hanawalt, the production designer and a producer BoJack Horseman and creator of Tuca & Bertie. I am such a huge fan of her visual style, and I’d love to discuss her thoughts on both the impact of her work in society. I admire the way her show are vulnerable and explore difficult subjects in a way that is honest and revealing, and I really
8. What is something most people don’t know about you?
I love to make sweets! I love baking choux pastry, decorating cakes, and have even baked a wedding cake before! I hate cleaning up afterwards.
9. From which single individual have you learned the most in your life? What did they teach you?
I’ve probably learned the most from my animation professor Jason Donati. Though he joined our program recently, Jason has pushed me to be better and has always encouraged me to explore my interdisciplinary
10. Is there someone in particular who has influenced your decision to work with ACM SIGGRAPH?
My fellow volunteers and team leaders have made working with SIGGRAPH a highlight I look forward to every year. There are so, so many individuals to name, but I am especially thankful for Victoria Barranco who introduced me to SIGGRAPH in the first place, Emma Gauthier for making my first time TL-ing such a memorable experience, and Gwen Lofman for always being such an incredible friend and inspiring me to be myself and my best.
11. What can you point to in your career as your proudest moment?