Getting Help

The class staff are very committed to your learning. We’re here to help you, and we offer the following resources to support you:

• For administrative questions (e.g., regarding due dates, or interpreting assignment instructions); for technical questions about programming or the technology stack; for questions about ideas taught in lecture or broader questions about visualization, data analysis, and design: post publicly in the appropriate category of the class forum. This ensures that our answer will benefit the entire class!

• For help when you’re feeling confused on data analysis, visualization design, or programming issues, can’t formulate a question, or would like advice about your work: go to office hours (schedule posted below). Please do not email the TAs individually to ask for help.

• For a personal issue about grading, attendance, or team issues: send an email to the staff mailing list, vis-society-staff@mit.edu

• For a private problem or for friendly live advice: email the lecturers—we’d be delighted to chat with you!

Office Hours

Course Staff

Instructors

Arvind Satyanarayan

Hi folks, I’m Arvind (he/him) and a faculty member in computer science. I lead the MIT Visualization Group where we study various aspects of data visualization including developing new tools for authoring visualizations, applying visualization to interpret machine learning models, and studying how to make visualizations accessible to blind and low vision people. I’m excited for our semester together because Sarah and I have spent a lot of time thinking about how to integrate our classes together so that you both learn core ideas of effective visualization, and then get to apply them in the context of a timely and important real-world issue with social impact. I’m looking forward to getting to know you all — please don’t be a stranger! And, feel free to reach out if you’d ever like to chat (about the class, or other things more generally)!

Catherine D’Ignazio

Hello everyone! I’m Catherine (she/her/ella) and I’m a professor of Urban Science & Planning in Course 11 (Dept of Urban Studies and Planning). I also run the Data + Feminism Lab where we use data and computation to work towards gender and racial justice, especially related to space and place. Some of our big projects right now look at citizen data science and grassroots data activism on topics like gender-related violence, housing, and reproductive justice. I’m always interested in thinking about and talking about how we can use data - and especially data visualization – for positive social change. If these are themes that interest you, too, you might be interested in the 11-6 major, in which we combine urban planning and computer science. Outside of work, I care for my three kids and two giant Maine Coon cats. I also love being outdoors - running, ultimate frisbee, camping and more. Looking forward to getting to meet everyone and see what kinds of projects you will put together!

Teaching Assistants

Lea Verou

Hi there! 👋🏼 I’m Lea (she/her) a CS PhD Candidate in the Haystack Group, studying how to make programming easier, especially around working with data.

I love sharing knowledge, and have explored many ways to do so over the years: (a) At MIT, I co-taught the last iteration of 6.813 (User Interface Design & Implementation) as an instructor, and co-created and co-taught 6.S063 / 6.4500 (Design for the Web: Languages and User Interfaces) (b) Outside MIT, via blogging, book authoring, tool making, and conference speaking.

I’ve also been involved in web standards for a long time; I help design new CSS features as a CSS WG Invited Expert and review web technology proposals as a W3C TAG member. Before MIT, I had co-founded a startup in my home country of 🇬🇷 Greece, and I’m hoping to one day repeat that endeavor.

Outside of work, I love exploring new foods, playing with my daughter Zoe, karaoke, and indoor climbing. I’m looking forward to getting to know you all, and please do not hesitate to reach out for support or simply to chat about any of these topics!

Katie Chen

Hi everyone! I’m Katie (she/her) a dual master student in IDM and EECS. I am in the Visualization Group at CSAIL. Currently I am working on accessible data visualizations and tactile data representations. I have TA-ed a few classes including 2.739J, 15.087 and Break Through Tech AI Prior to MIT, I worked in hardware manufacturing at Microsoft.

On the days I’m not working on research or psets, I enjoy being outside ⛷️⛸️🧘🏃🏼‍♀️, and some shutter clicking activities 📸. Looking forward to meeting you all and feel free to reach out for help or just to chat!

Grace Huang

Hey y’all! My name is Grace (she/her), and I’m a senior and MEng in 6-3 doing research in the MIT Visualization Group. My research is largely focused on creating a tool that improves the data visualization creation process.

Outside of classes, I sing / beatbox / arrange music as part of MIT Syncopasian and aim for greater flexibility as part of MIT Sport Taekwondo! I also enjoy making digital art, cooking / baking / eating / generally consuming food-related media, and playing rhythm games. I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you this semester, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever want to chat about anything!

Enrique Casillas

Hello everyone, my name is Enrique Casillas, I’m an MEng student doing research at MIT’s Civic Data Design Lab. I received my bachelors from MIT last year as a 6-3 (computer science and engineering) with a concentration in urban studies. I am extremely interested in using aspects of computer science such as data visualization, web development, and data analysis, to shed light on topics within urban studies and planning.

Outside of class I enjoy playing the piano, watching movies, and the occasional cooking/baking. Looking forward to meeting you all!

Jie Fan

Hi! I’m Jie Fan(she/her), a SMArchS urbanism student in course 4. I worked as a climate data analyst at the Office of Sustainability over the past half a year. Beyond my previous focus on architecture and urbanism, my interest has currently revolved around the realm of urban data. My goal is to explore how data-driven methods can interact with decision-making, where we can push the boundaries of urban development by leveraging data insights to create spaces that resonate with people. Beyond academia, I’m a photographer, enjoy various forms of art, and have a growing interest in hiking. Feel free to ask me any questions or just chat!

Alex Kyaw

My name is Alexander Htet Kyaw, and I am pursuing a Master of Science in Architectural Studies at the School of Architecture and Planning. Previously, I completed my Bachelor of Architecture at Cornell University. Before comming the United States, I lived in Myanmar for 18 years. I am interested in human-machine interaction in design, visualization, and fabrication. Last Semester, I was also a TAs for 4.500 Design Computation. I am happy to answer questions / engage in discussions related to housing data, design principles, or visualization in general.

Outside of my academics, I’m always down to try new/delicious foods or go climbing. You might also find me taking a leisure walk around campus unwinding from the stress.

Teodor Nicola

Hi everyone! My name is Teodor and I am pursuing a Masters in EECS from MIT’s School of Engineering and an MBA from MIT’s Sloan School of Management as part of the MIT LGO program. My undergraduate academic background is in Computer Science and Mathematics.

Before joining MIT, I worked for a few years in financial services as a Quantiative Developer and as a Product Manager. Last year, through the LGO program, I interned as a Data Scientist at Amazon AWS where I focused on internal applications of Large Language Models.

Outside of my academic or professional activities, when I am not immersed in reading about the latest AI/ML breakthroughs or startup buzz, you’ll find me working out or running along the Charles River Esplanade. I am a sports enthusiast with a passion for tennis, skiing and even a game of pool. On a rainy day I’ll enjoy a good Christopher Nolan movie.