SigmaNext 2026: Counselors

Hey! I'm Felipe, 19, developer and entrepreneur from Alagoas living in São Paulo. I co-founded RanqIA - think SEO, but for the AI era - and I'm studying CS at Insper. I'm also a fellow of Fundação Estudar and Behring.

I've been coding since I was a kid, starting by poking around systems I probably shouldn't have (which somehow landed me a scholarship). Since then I've built everything from government epidemiological tools to cafeteria systems handling real money. I have a cat called Hiro and I'm a big fan of animes, mangas and manhwas. Can't wait to meet everyone! Come talk about startups, AI, or anything nerdy!

Hey there! I'm a mathematical physicist in the making - I have a bachelor's in computational physics and am currently working on a master's in random matrix theory. I would love to work in academia and deeply appreciate outreach projects such as SigmaCamp, which I'm excited to be part of! Furthermore, I am trying to be a triathlete and can't live without my bicycle and small ThinkPad. I get highly excited about minor things, and with all that is human. Don't hesitate to talk to me about your niche interests - those are my favorites!

Hello! I'm Sofia, and I'm excited to return to SigmaNext, this time as a counselor! I'm a math and linguistics double major undergraduate at Stony Brook University. Also, if I have any free time, I enjoy dancing (currently ballroom), throwing on a pottery wheel whenever I can find one, and crocheting. I can't wait to meet everyone!

Hi everyone! I've been at Sigma every year since 2018 (this used to have a count of which year of Sigma it is for me, but the number has now exceeded how high I am willing to count) and I am so excited to be back for another year. I am a rising junior at MIT majoring in math and computer science. 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.

Heyyy!! This is my third SigmaCamp, but my first time at Sigma US, so I'm really excited. I'm almost finishing my bachelor's degree in oceanography, which has allowed me to learn a little bit of everything: physics, math, biology, chemistry, geology (while also going to the beach every now and then). Currently, my research focuses on coral reefs and climate change. Outside of the university, I love trying out new hobbies, ranging from woodcarving to dancing, playing tennis to game developing, hiking to reading, and solving linguistic problems to playing guitar. I'm always up for something new. Feel free to come talk to me about anything. I would love to know more about what you're passionate about. Looking forward to meeting you all at Sigma!!

I’m delighted to return to Sigma for my eighth year on the SigmaStaff, and tenth year overall. My academic interests lie at the intersection of marine science and microbiology. Currently, I use tools from chemistry and molecular biology to study bacteria and archaea from marine oxygen minimum zones—regions of the ocean with very low levels of dissolved oxygen.

I earned my undergraduate degree from Cornell, where I dabbled in research on denitrifying woodchip bioreactors. Depending on when you’re reading this, I’m either out at sea on a research expedition in the Bay of Bengal—or have just returned!

Outside of science, I enjoy drawing, painting, embroidery, and dancing. I picked up ballroom dancing in college, after 12 years of ballet. Looking forward to meeting everyone this year!

Hey everyone! My name is Mari, and I study Economics at UNICAMP. I’m really interested in finance and the business world, and I’m also part of GMF, the university’s Finance Group. This is my fourth camp, but my first time at Sigma US! I was a scout for eight years, which gave me the chance to travel across the world and spend a lot of time in camps like this, so I’m really excited to be here.
I love playing дурак, and I also really enjoy karaoke (although I have to admit I’m not very good at it). I’m always happy to talk about pretty much anything, so reach out!! See you there!

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!

Hi everyone! This year will be my first as a junior counselor. Before this, I attended SigmaCamp and SigmaCamp Next for 4 total years. I'm super interested in chemistry, physics, and engineering. Next fall, I'll be embarking on earning my major in mechanical engineering at Northwestern University! I love motorsports, music (piano and percussion), spending time outdoors, and playing sports (tennis, soccer, basketball). I'm super excited to meet all of you this summer at Sigma!

Hello! I am looking forward to my third time as a counselor at SigmaCamp this year. I graduated with a degree in chemical engineering from MIT, where I worked on catalyzing the breakdown of plastics. My main interests are organic chemistry, math, board games, drawing, and square dancing. I'm looking forward to seeing all of you this summer at SigmaCamp!

Hi everyone, I’m a PhD candidate in Computational Mathematics at the University of São Paulo, currently exploring how to reconstruct networks from mean-fields. With a background in Physics and Computational Engineering, I’m passionate about the crossroads where computer science and dynamical systems meet. I love philosophy, diving into contrasts, and uncovering critical transitions. When I’m not immersed in research, I help organize math activities.

My name is Tulio. I'm a mathematician, comic artist, and LEGO collector. I love science fiction, trash movies, and vinyl records—especially those by Jorge Ben Jor. In mathematics, I work with causal inference focused on education, more specifically, analyzing educational data for creating public policies, but I also study the history of mathematics and explore tiling patterns. In my free time, I work with 3D printing, design board games, and visit museums.

Hello! As a camper, I was at Sigma for 5 years, and I'm now coming back for my fourth year as a counselor. I'm currently studying computer science and mathematics, with some amount of focusing on cryptography-related things. Outside of academics, you might find me taking and developing film (or digital, I suppose) photos, cobbling together a project, or learning to cook.

Hi, I’m Yê! I graduated in Applied Mathematics from UNICAMP and am currently pursuing my master’s degree at ICMC-USP. I’m passionate about co-creating initiatives that give young people opportunities to learn and grow, and I put that passion into practice through education-focused projects in companies, social programs, and Olympiad initiatives. Outside of work, I love dancing, being around plants and spending time with friends, chatting about anything and everything. I can’t wait to see you at Sigma!

Hello everyone!
My name is Helgi, and I’m a research assistant in a mitochondria lab. I study the active/deactive transition of Complex I and compare how it behaves in human and mouse heart tissue.
Outside of the lab, I love reading, going to concerts, and driving through national parks. I also really enjoy cooking, mostly because I love eating. If we start talking about something I’m passionate about, I might turn into a chatterbox and never stop, especially if it’s a book or a movie I’m very fond of.
This is my first year as a counselor, and I’m really excited to meet everyone, so don’t hesitate to reach out!

Hi everyone! This is my second Sigma, but my first time in the US, so I'm really excited for this camp! I've always loved science, and researching chemistry has allowed me to share this passion with my peers, which I now hope to share with you. Aside from STEM, I also enjoy outdoor camping, drawing, and playing TTRPGs with my friends! I can't wait to meet all of you at Camp!

I am a Physics student starting graduate school at UofT. I spend much of my free time studying piano, reading about the history of science and organizing outreach events at UofT.

Hey! I’m Pavanato, everyone just calls me that. I’m a mathematician at FGV EMAp, and I spend a good chunk of my time thinking about math (sometimes voluntarily). I’ve always liked building and tinkering with things, which lately includes flying FPV drones — if you hear something buzzing at questionable speeds, that might be me. I’m also (very seriously) pushing for 12k trophies in Clash Royale… progress is ongoing. I enjoy conversations that go anywhere from abstract math to random niche interests! Looking forward to meeting everyone!

Hi everyone! I'm a computer scientist from São Paulo. I speak five languages and am working on a sixth. I play five instruments and sing (at least that's what people tell me). I've spent fifteen years across martial arts, and when I'm not training I'm running, hiking, swimming, or cycling. Currently trying to reverse engineer cuisine through biochemistry, with tasty results. (somehow) This is my eighth Sigma in three years. looking forward to meeting you all!

Hi! I'm Sanjana, and I work at a lab at Columbia Medical Center studying myelodysplasia and acute myeloid leukemia. My research focuses on the role of the microenvironment in cancer initiation and progression, but I'm also interested in endocrinology and chronobiology! Outside the lab, I love fashion and historical fiction. I'm excited to see you all at SigmaCamp Next!!

Hi y'all, I'm Anna, and I can't wait for my seventh Sigma (my fourth as a counselor!). Right after camp, I'll be heading down to Atlanta for my fourth year at Georgia Tech, where I'm majoring in environmental engineering. My interests range from composting to air pollution to urban policy, but I'm mostly focused on how to plan cities with sustainability and public health for all in mind. I'd love to chat about anything from books to robotics to why tea is the superior beverage (last year, I was drinking chai while writing my bio - this time, it's peppermint). As I continue my quest to do everything, everywhere, all the time, you can find me making music, searching for the perfect thrift, or competing in Excel e-sports.

Hello, my name is Paulina, I am a PhD student at IFSC-USP in Brazil. I graduated in Biomolecular Physics at IFSC-USP and have worked in material science and molecular biology. Right now, I am interested Brazilian corals' biomineralization. Outside of work I have many passions: veg food, fashion, arts, comic books and graphic design. Talk to me about anything!

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!

Hi everyone, I've been at Sigma since 2014! I'm studying mathematics but in my free time I love to learn about philosophy and play the violin. I enjoy writing science fiction stories, making short films, tailoring and welding. I look forward to meeting you all this summer.

Hey! I am a grad student at UofT studying experimental cold-atom physics, working on a new type of optical clock. Outside of the university, I enjoy reading sci-fi, biking, and playing with my cat!

Hello hello! As a Camper for 2 years and a Nexter for 1, I'm incredibly excited to be joining you all for my first year as a Counselor. I love physics, math, and playing the flute, but I have also been known to spend an unjustifiable length of time on Wikipedia reading about the evolution of the hammerhead shark. Although my interests are listed above, my ability to converse incessantly on any topic is unbounded, so come find me!

Hello! I'm Alexey, and I've been at Sigma since 2019! This will be my 4th time as a counselor, I'm so excited to be back and meet all the new people!
I am studying electrical engineering, primarily focused on control systems and analog circuits. My current research is about acoustic microelectronics, previously I worked on parallel computing architectures and nanosatellite communications firmware.
Outside of that, I sail competitively, do photography, go orienteering, and fold origami. Talk to me about anything!

Having been exposed to a variety of subjects about a decade ago as a camper (e.g. python, microcontrollers, bayesianism), I am excited to return to Sigma(Next) as a counselor, and propagate knowledge. I am currently interested in formal proof languages, and the latest machine learning models, but am generally excited to approach and discuss any mathematical field.
I like bouldering and music. I can play happy birthday on most melodic instruments. My comfort with instruments, in decreasing order, is keys, strings (esp. guitars), reeds, horns. Horns are very interesting; the comfort order would be different if I had one to practice. Anyone who has not tried playing a horn, but can play another instrument, should look into the mechanics of playing horns.

Good morning, good evening, and, if I don’t see you again, good night!

My name is Luiz Viegas, and I’m an undergraduate student at the Institute of Chemistry of the University of São Paulo (IQ-USP). I currently work in the Ronsein Lab, which focuses on proteomics and redox-inflammatory biochemistry. I’m also interested in how innovative approaches to chemical education for young students can connect with advanced and up-to-date research topics.
Outside academia, I’m passionate about samba percussion. I currently lead a university samba band and also play in a samba school drum section.

See you at Sigma!

Hi! I'm a PhD student at UofT studying experimental atomic physics with a Bachelors in engineering. When I'm not in my lab, you'll find me camping in the backcountry, on a bike trip, or here at Sigma!