I am a postdoctoral associate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at MIT. My research is situated within design theory and methodology and engineering management, where I focus on understanding how sociotechnical factors impact decision-making processes. I use a mixed-methods approach to investigate (1) design behaviors and cognition, (2) design rationale documentation practices, and (3) power dynamics within engineering contexts. My work enhances current design methods and tools to help drive innovation and address societal inequities.
Maria Yang is my postdoctoral advisor in the Ideation Lab. Previously, I completed my PhD in mechanical engineering at UC Berkeley, advised by Kosa Goucher-Lambert in the Cognition and Computation in Design (Co-Design) Lab. I hold a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Northwestern University and have conducted research exchanges at the Technical University of Munich and ETH Zurich. Thus far, my research has been funded by NSF GRFP, NSF INFEWS, and UC Berkeley’s Chancellor’s fellowship. I have received awards for my scholarship from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.
I am actively seeking tenure-track faculty positions starting in the fall of 2026. Please email me at yakiram@mit.edu.