Radical reimagination of what is possible in science & technology

I’ve been interested in radical technological change throughout my life. This led me to become a research scientist at MIT, where I work on ways to decouple nuclear energy from radioactivity and also on ways in which policy can promote radical innovation. To better understand drivers that underlie radical innovation I have also dug into the history, philosophy, and sociology of science. Another interest of mine is the role that quantum principles play in living organisms and the human brain. I was born and raised in Germany but have lived most of my adult life in China and the US. Across my twelve years at MIT, I have worked for or obtained degrees from six departments: engineering systems, nuclear engineering, electrical engineering, materials science, data science, and political science. I am bilingual in German and English and fluent in Chinese.

Exploring consciousness between Boston and Berlin

I go back and forth between the US East Coast and Central Europe. I particularly enjoy the rich intellectual tapestry of Boston and the urban diversity of Berlin. I can be frequently found on the shores of Walden Pond or Wannsee, in a cafe at Harvard Square or Kreuzberg, or strolling along the Charles River or the Tempelhofer Feld. I am deeply interested in consciousness and the philosophical, psychological, and physical attempts to better understand it.