Viirj Kan
Resident
Working at the intersection of materials, robotics, biotechnology, and chemistry, Viirj Kan develops interfaces that connect humans to a broad range of systems. She has innovated on a range of pioneering interfaces from wearable displays to IoT devices, smart tattoos, programmable foods, biointerfaces, and shape displays. Her publications in the field of Human-Computer Interaction have received a Best Paper Award at the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI), a Golden Mouse Award at CHI, and honorable mentions at the International Symposium on Wearable Computers (ISWC) and Fast Company Innovation by Design.
Viirj holds a Master of Science from the MIT Media Lab. Prior to MIT, Viirj conducted human-robot interaction research at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Her work has been featured by Popular Mechanics, TED, Vice, SXSW, Ars Electronica, Fast Company, CNN, Forbes, MIT News, and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. A committed advocate of the DIY and open-source movements, she frequently engages in efforts to increase access to scientific and technological tools for underrepresented social groups.