Allie is a graduate student in the Masters of Industrial Design (MID) program at Pratt’s School of Design. She received her undergraduate degree from Bucknell University’s Freeman College of Management where she majored in Markets, Innovation, and Design. After graduating, she worked for a global consulting firm and focused on government clients and smart cities. Through her practice and studies at Pratt, Allie hopes to pivot from her previous government work into product design for the disabled and the elderly, and is also interested in working in biomaterials and exhibit design. At the Material Lab, Allie hopes to learn more about the applications of current material and the innovative breakthroughs of new materials.

JC is a first-year Industrial Design Graduate Student at Pratt’s School of Design. He earned his Bachelor’s in Business Administration, concentrating in Information Systems and Operations from Simon Fraser University.

Working at a Start-Up as a Database Manager, he developed an interest in efficient processes, identifying redundancy, and human behaviour. His interests are to bridge the parallels between database practices and human processes as an approach to human-centred design.

Dylan Granger is a graduate student from New York City, currently in the MS LIS program at the Pratt Institute School of Information. Dylan has a B.A. in Computer Science and Anthropology from Connecticut College.

His interests are in the field of preservation of digital materials, including the design of metadata schemas as well as converting archival objects into digital records. Dylan also has programming experience writing scripts for automation and database management.

Peter is a first-year Library and Information graduate student at Pratt’s School of Information. He received his Bachelor of Arts in New Media at SUNY Purchase in 2013. Since living in New York for the last decade, he has held positions in a non-profit art and technology residency and an independent fashion label.

He most recently spent the past five years as an image archivist for a renowned Chelsea art gallery which grew his interest in information science and fine art visual resources. Peter has always held an appreciation for photography, architecture, and industrial design and is intrigued by their integration with digital asset management.

I am an aspiring architect on a journey to blend aesthetics and sustainability seamlessly within the realm of architectural design. I received my Bachelor of Architecture degree from Mumbai, India, and am currently pursuing my Master's degree in Architecture at Pratt Institute.

My passion lies in the realm of energy-efficient building methods and green construction. My research interests focus on the profound impact that various elements have on interior spaces, exploring how design choices can create environments that are both functional and visually appealing. My goal is to create architecturally stunning yet sustainable structures that merge aesthetics and eco-friendliness seamlessly.

As a fervent advocate for ethical and sustainable practices, I find immense satisfaction in assisting fellow students at the material lab in discovering environmentally friendly material options for their projects. My ultimate goal is to create structures that not only captivate with their aesthetics but also stand as beacons of sustainable innovation, making a lasting impact on our world.

Jay Lemire is Director of Production Labs at Pratt Institute School of Design in addition to overseeing the the Material Lab at Pratt Institute’s School of Design, where he leads a range of programming, mentorship, and professional development initiatives that revolve around material literacy and design research. Prior to joining Pratt, Jay served as Research Specialist at Robert A.M. Stern Architects, and before that, managed research to support design and business development at Ralph Lauren in New York.

He has been a visiting instructor at Pratt Institute, and a teaching assistant at New York School of Interior Design. Jay holds a B.A. in English Literature from Marymount Manhattan College and a M.A. in Decorative Arts, Design History, and Material Culture from Bard Graduate Center. He is a recipient of the Winterthur Research Fellowship. 

Shikha is a Graduate Student at the MS in Information Experience Design program at Pratt's School of Information. She has a background in interior design and architecture, having worked as a Design Project Lead leading institutional, office, retail, residential and product design projects. She now applies her design and research background from the physical domain to craft intuitive digital user experiences as a UX Designer. At the Material Lab, Shikha is most interested in working at the intersection of design and information.

Laiba has been raised up in NY, received her BS in Design at NYU and is currently pursuing her MS in Information Experience Design (UX) at Pratt. Laiba is interested in design and user experience.

Laiba is a UX Designer with a passion for problem-solving and storytelling which I use in my work to produce creative brand designs and company websites. She has experience with UX design and web development in companies and various ground-breaking Non-Profits.

Navya is a first-year graduate student in the MS Information Experience Design Program at Pratt's School of Information. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences and Studio Art at Vanderbilt University in 2022. In the last year, Navya worked remotely for a healthcare organization while traveling as the recipient of Vanderbilt's Hamblet Art Grant. The travel grant culminates in Navya's upcoming solo exhibition in Nashville in January 2024.

Navya's interests span across art, printmaking, archiving, information organization, and design systems. She hopes to delve into these interests at the MSIXD program as well as at the Material Lab. In her downtime, Navya loves to cook, roller skate, and people-watch in New York's public spaces!

Taylor Wilcox (B. Arch ‘25) is the acting Student Liaison for the Material Lab Prize. She has a keen focus on researching experimental materials and exploring their innovative applications. Taylor is particularly interested in biomaterials and their potential uses in the construction industry. In addition to her architectural studies, she is pursuing a minor in philosophy. This interdisciplinary approach enriches her understanding of the historical and ethical dimensions of architecture, adding depth and nuance to her work.