SigmaCamp 2023: Counselors

This is going to be my third year at SigmaCamp as a counselor and I'm excited to join this wonderful community! I'm studying theoretical physics at YITP in Stony Brook. My research interests include mathematical physics, black-hole perturbation theory, and phenomenological string theory. I practice a very hands-on approach and like to use programming as a way to tackle some hard mathematical problems. In my spare time, I like to stay active (strength training, BJJ) and sometimes cook. I did play different musical instruments in the past, including cello and drums (hopefully I will do it again in the future).

Hello! I am excited to come back for another great year of Sigma! I am a BIO-ECE PhD student at UT Austin. Outside of my studies, I am interested in material science and additive manufacturing. I play the violin, like to enjoy bad movies, and build janky contraptions. I can't wait to see everyone at the next Sigma Camp.

Lev goes to NYU, and he was a member of the Harvard Undergraduate Aeronautics Club. He has attended Sigma camp as a camper 3 times and was a counselor before. Lev was a member of his high school's competitive Roblox team, and he participated in Quiz Bowl, math teams, and Science Olympiad. Other than STEM, Lev enjoys tennis, sailing, and environmental advocacy. During his time at SigmaCamp, he ran a workshop that taught people how to fly quadcopters and build rocket engines. Lev was a teacher's assistant at School Nova assisting a 7th-grade math class. In his spare time, Lev likes to build multirotors and destroy the patriarchy.

Hi everyone! I am excited to come to Sigma as a Junior Counselor after 5 years of being a camper. My main interests are math and physics, but I also enjoy learning about architecture and data science. In my free time, you can find me watching movies (Best in Show is top tier) or playing the piano. Looking forward to meeting you all this summer!

Hi everyone! This will be my seventh year at Sigma and I am so excited to be back for another year. I will be starting as an undergraduate at MIT this fall as a tentative math major. I'm always happy to talk about anything math-related, but I'm also game for any other interesting STEM or musical discussions you may want to have! In my free time, I love traveling, playing violin, tennis, hiking, and board games.

Hello! I am Iris and I am currently finishing my Master's in Business Analytics at MIT Sloan School of Management while also working on my capstone project with Massachusetts Financial Services. I am really interested in data science and in the business side of the tech industry, specifically how we can make product development and production more efficient. I am highly involved in STEM tutoring for girls and how to better encourage more women to pursue their STEM careers. Outside of academics, I love music, dance, art, and baking. I am excited to help make this week unforgettable for all of you!

Hey! I attended Sigma as a camper for 5 years before returning as a counselor. This will mark my third year as a counselor. I'm interested in math and engineering, and I am studying computer science at Northeastern University. Outside of school, I fence, play various video and card games, and have recently picked up chess. I can't wait to see you all at Sigma this summer!

Hi—thanks for reading my bio! I've come to Sigma for 9 years now: 5 as a camper and 4 (and counting) as a counselor! Having been on both sides, I can confidently say that although Sigma is only one week of your summer, it’s definitely the best one. There’s nothing quite like it. I am pursuing a Biomedical Engineering degree at Cornell University, with a concentration in either drug delivery, imaging, or biomechanics. In previous years, I’ve taught a workshop on Brain-Computer Interfaces, where we explore the brain via a computational lens and even demonstrate a form of “mind control.” There’s so much we don’t know about the human brain, and therefore so much to learn! Aside from that, I enjoy piano, skiing (recently picked up snowboarding), and *learning* electric guitar. I can't wait to meet all of you at Sigma 2023!

Hello! I'm currently pursuing an engineering degree at the University of Washington. My interests include chemistry, math, classical guitar, skiing, watercolor painting, and creating banana bread that consists of 50% chocolate. Since last SigmaCamp, I've learned how to solve a Rubik's cube, so I'm excited to see how much faster you all are at it than me. :)

Hello! I'm so excited to continue working as a counselor for Sigma Camp this summer! I'm studying Physics with an applied math certificate at Princeton and have worked on experimental dark matter detection and constraining cosmological parameters. I love talking about physics and teaching physics, but I also enjoy reading, music (piano/flute), dance (ballet/ballroom/contemp), and archery! Feel free to come talk to me about anything

Hello everyone! I am a masters student at Boston University studying product design and manufacturing in the mechanical engineering department. I am passionate about developing clean technology and building a more sustainable world! After graduation, I hope to work as a design engineer streamlining clean technology commercialization. Outside of academics, I love to rock climb, do yoga, ski, and generally spend time outdoors. I am also a big reader and love making and viewing art. But that’s enough about me, I want to learn about your passions! Find me at camp to talk to about anything and everything. I am so excited to return to Sigma for another summer and help make this an unforgettable week for all the incoming campers, as my counselors once did for me!

My background is in physics and biophysics, but now I work as a project manager at Beyond Meat. I work closely with food scientists and research scientists, as well as teams outside of the R&D department, to make sure new projects are on track and meeting key targets. I develop processes to improve communication and make frequent and important tasks easier and more fool-proof. I think of myself as someone on a curling team — smoothing the ice in front of the stone, and calling out when course-corrections are needed. On the dance floor, I also practice improving communication and coordination processes. I enjoy blues, fusion, west coast swing, tango, and contra dancing. I also run a monthly contra dance, and I’m president of a local dance cooperative.

This will be my 8th year with Sigma, and whether I’ve met you before or we’re meeting for the first time, I’m looking forward to seeing you!

Andrey is a Postdoctoral Fellow at Oxford University and has been at SigmaCamp since the very beginning. He completed his PhD in Mathematics at MIT. Andrey am always open to chat about math, physics, or computer science! He greatly enjoy board games, puzzles, square dancing, and contra. Andrey's research is in quantum computing and quantum information theory. He am investigating how to reformulate the study of quantum error-correcting codes by using graphs.

Hi there! I'm Nikita, a software engineer at Audible.

In my day job, I work on bringing audiobooks to people through voice assistants like Alexa. With recent advances in AI, it is incredibly exciting to be a part of the transformation of our day-to-day life from the inside.

I have a degree in Computer Science and Maths from Saint-Petersburg University, where I specialised in game theory and language processing. I'm also a skilled juggler and slackliner, and I love to share my knowledge and skills with others.

Hello! As a camper, I've been to Sigma for 5 years, and I'm excited to come to my second year at Sigma as a counselor! Academically, I'm mainly interested in cryptography, and I also spend a lot of time doing non-geometrical math. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, biking, reading, and sharing my love of math with everyone around me. I look forwards to meeting everyone this summer and finding even more people with which to share my interests!

My PhD work was related to making nanoscale optical structures and manipulating quantum states of individuals atoms, with the goal of contributing to the world-wide effort on making optical quantum computers -- I'm continuing along the same lines now as postdoc. When I go to Sigma, I like to bring with me various tech contraptions so we can take them apart. I don't know yet what we will breaking into this year. Together with Melissa Guidry, I teach the Optics semilab. This year, we will be using light to do measurements and computations, in particular, image processing using Fourier transforms.

Hi! After attending Sigma as a camper for five years, I am excited to return as a junior counselor. It is mostly thanks to Sigma that I enjoy and am interested in STEM, particularly math and chemistry. Aside from that, I am also very interested in mixed martial arts and have been training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for six years. I have also played the cello for seven years and the bass guitar for three. I am most thankful for Sigma for all the friendships that I have made over the years, so I am excited to reunite with old friends and meet new ones!

I have been a camper or counselor at Sigma Camp since its inaugural year and hopefully for years to come. Throughout the years I've attended Sigma, I have graduated high school, attended Cornell for my undergraduate degree and started a PhD at Stony Brook University in the Computer Science department. I work with robotics or programming semi-labs and set up sports and events like Chessball. I look forward to meeting you all and don't hesitate to come talk with me about any of your scientific or sporting interests.

Tim Pinkhassik is originally from Newton, MA. He is pursuing a B.S. in Chemistry. Tim works on synthesizing copper—oxalamide precatalyst complexes to catalyze the Goldberg reaction. Beyond his research, Tim enjoys organic synthesis for fun and profit, film photography, learning languages, and playing piano and balalaika.

Hi everyone! My name is Iana, and I’ve been with Sigma since the very beginning — first as a junior camper, then as a camper for six years, and now as a counselor. My main interests lie within mechanical engineering, particularly in robotics and manufacturing engineering. In my freetime I enjoy running, hiking, embroidering, and just spending time relaxing in the sun. I am almost always listening to music (of virtually any genre) and I'd love to hear any recommendations. I can't wait to meet you all this summer!

I've been coming to Sigma since the beginning, and I'm really excited to be here for another year. I’m a grad student at MIT studying biological engineering. Outside of STEM, I'm interested in history, mineral water, and linguistics. I also really enjoy playing racket sports, my favorite being Wii Sports tennis, and I'm looking forward to organizing the ping pong tournament at Sigma again. I’m also looking forward to another season of swimming - I’m a big Silver Lake enthusiast. Can’t wait to see everyone this summer!

Daniel is an undergraduate studying Math and Physics. He spends his time trying to learn things and then teach them to other people, and he tells himself he'll find an interesting research project soon. Lately, he has also been thinking about psychology-backed teaching practices and how to mathematically derive morality. He has been at Sigma forever, and can be found reorganizing board games, locking other people into rooms full of puzzles, and playing the saxophone (poorly) at the chamber concert. Daniel wants to hear your thoughts on life and/or give you fun math problems/puzzles, so you should come say hello :)

Hi y'all! I'm excited to return to Sigma for my second year as a counselor. After camp, I'm entering my first of undergrad pursuing a degree in mechanical and biomedical engineering. I've spent the past three years researching Epinephrine Auto-Injectors (like the EpiPen), their design, and how people use them. I'm also interested in biology, robotics, psychology, and logic puzzles. Outside of science, I love art, fencing, reading, and unicycling. I am always happy to chat about anything and everything. Can't wait for an amazing summer!

Hi! I’m so excited to return for my seventh year at Sigma and second year as a counselor! Next year I will begin as an undergraduate studying violin performance and math. My research is in geometry, but I love to discuss everything STEM, humanities, and music! Outside of academics, I enjoy puzzles, reading (especially philosophy), and playing guitar and theremin (somewhat poorly). I can’t wait to see everyone!

I obtained my PhD in 2022 in plasma physics and now I spend my “work” days as postdoc thinking about astrophysical fluid dynamics of planets, stars and compact objects, though I am broadly fascinated by emergent phenomenon. I love that finding out the governing equations is only the beginning. Back on our home planet, I enjoy hiking, improv comedy, and playing soccer under reasonable gravitational and thermodynamic conditions.

I am excited to attend my sixth year at Sigma. I will be starting my second year at McGill University in the fall. Before coming to Montreal, I lived near Boston and before that, in State College, Pennsylvania. I love physics and math, and my favorite part of math is whatever I happen to have last learned. I enjoy learning languages, whether human or programming, and am always up to learn something new. If you come find me during one of the breaks, I'll teach you how to crochet.

Hello! I have been at SigmaCamp since 2014 as a camper. I just finished my second year of college at Cooper Union in New York. I am majoring in electrical engineering with a minor in computer science. My passions include physics, robotics, and history. I love outdoor sports such as soccer, tennis, and hiking, but I also love ping-pong and rock climbing. I am very excited to be a part of the camp this year and am eager to meet you all!

Hi everyone, I've been at Sigma since 2014 so that would be *approximately* 9 years! With regard to academics, I'm interested in discrete math and cosmology but in my free time I love to learn about architecture, philosophy, and espionage. Besides for that, I enjoy writing science fiction stories, carpentry, and astrophotography. I have an adverse reaction to psychology and am an enthusiastically mediocre hair cutter (my family can attest to that). I'm excited to be coming back as a junior counselor and look forward to meeting you all this summer!

Hi y'all! I'm pursuing my master's degree in biomedical engineering at Rutgers University. I'm interested in tissue engineering, gene therapy, biomaterials and machine learning. I'm also a huge fan of linguistics and enjoy learning about cognitive science. I enjoy rock climbing and love to read new poetry. I play piano and guitar and am learning to play the accordion. If you'd like to sing a song together at Sigma, be my guest! I can't wait to get to know all of you this year.

Hello everyone! I am Ivanka, and I am in my 3rd year at the University of Toronto. I have been going to Sigma for almost as long as it has existed. I am interested in math, (especially graph theory), and anything that has an engine in it. In my free time, you can find me working on my car, playing Magic the Gathering/ Dungeons and Dragons, or relaxing with a book. I can't wait to meet everyone and hear all about you guys!

Hello, I'm Nestor and I'm very excited to return to as a counselor! My primary work is as a professional ChatGPT impersonator, but on the side I'm a founder of a food robotics startup called Rito. I also love philosophy, iced lattes, and hot takes.

I am personally very interested in physics, technology, and entrepreneurship. I do everything from building burrito-making robots and creating levitating vehicles to shocking people to make them dance.

I love meeting new people and enjoy understanding how others think, and always appreciate interesting discussions on any topic, from questions of morality to cultural trends, so feel free to talk to me about anything!

I'm so excited for my third year at Sigma! I just finished my undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto where I studied mathematics, computer science and physics, and I'm thrilled to start my PhD in computer science at Boston University this fall! I'm interested in algorithm design, computational complexity theory and combinatorics, and I've also written software used by large radio telescopes. Outside of academics, I spend my time developing video games, playing the piano, biking, and learning German. Come talk to me about anything; you'll likely find me near the piano.

Hi! I am a PhD student at the University of Toronto in the department of electrical and computer engineering and I've been at Sigma since 2019. My research lies in the field of laser fabrication of sensing devices in optical fibers for astronomical applications. I am also interested in biology and chemistry and I am looking forward to discussing everyone’s science-related (and otherwise!) interests and ideas. Outside academics, I enjoy reading, yoga, baking, and embroidery.

My name is Misha Zorya, I have recently graduated from Rutgers University with a Dual Major in Actuarial Science and Mathematics. I have been attending Sigma since the beginning and I am excited to attend this year as well. In my spare time I enjoy creating and maintaining terrariums and aquariums, playing card/board games/video games, and also assisting in the development of a video game. I look forward to seeing all of you in the summer!