SigmaNext 2026: Counselors

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!

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! I’m Mari, and I’m currently studying Economics at UNICAMP. I’m really interested in finance and the business world. 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, 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!

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.

Hi! I’m passionate about math and love creating beautiful dishes, especially pizza napoletana. While I spend most of my time diving into mathematics, I’ve recently started studying biochemistry to level up my cooking skills and better understand how food impacts our bodies.

When I’m not immersed in math or experimenting in the kitchen, you’ll likely find me playing string instruments, such as violin, bass, guitar and piano. I also enjoy learning new languages and exploring the cultures behind them. I currently speak four languages and am determined to add Russian to my list (Anatoly is teaching me!).

Lastly, I’m in awe of nature’s masterpieces and love going on hikes to appreciate its beauty. See you in sigma!

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, sleep, fashion, arts, comic books and graphic design. Talk to me about anything, I know how to both listen and talk.

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!

Hello! I'm Alexey, and I've been at Sigma since 2019! This will be my third time as a counselor, I'm so excited to be back and meet all the new people! I am majoring in electrical engineering and doing research on acoustic microelectronics. Previously I worked on energy minimal architectures for nanosatellites and constellation computing. Outside of that, I sail competitively, do nature/event photography, 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 LipidBioRedox Laboratory, which focuses on modified lipids and redox biochemistry. My research interests center on a class of oxidized species known as oxysterols—specifically, electrophilic compounds generated from the singlet-oxygen oxidation of cholesterol—and their role in disease-related protein modifications. 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!