Team
Adriana de Souza e Silva
Adriana de Souza e Silva is a Professor of Communication Studies and Director of the Center for Transformative Media at Northeastern University. Dr. de Souza e Silva's research investigates how engagement with mobile and locative media technologies shape urban mobility and interactions with public spaces, primarily in the developing world.
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Carlos Sandoval Olascoaga
Carlos Sandoval Olascoaga is Assistant Professor of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Inclusive Design at the School of Architecture at Northeastern University and Affiliate Assistant Professor at Khoury College of Computer Sciences at Northeastern University, where he directs the Scalable Design Participation Lab.
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Mai Nou Xiong-Gum
Dr. Mai Nou Xiong-Gum is an Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Furman University. Her latest research focuses on understanding the role of mobile communication and ICTs as they reconfigure our spaces of sociality, and, therefore, our communities and civic communication processes.
Learn moreAbout Our Team
Meet the researchers and innovators behind Mobile Networked Creativity, exploring how technology and creativity intersect in communities worldwide.
Research Assistants
Our graduate research team brings diverse expertise in technology, engineering, and media studies to advance our understanding of mobile networked creativity.
Arslan Parkar
Arslan is pursuing an MS in Information Systems at Northeastern. He has experience in leading an AI-driven startup and has done impactful research projects focusing on innovative, user-centric solutions.
Johan Romero Rodriguez
Johan joins us as a Qualitative Research Assistant on the Mobile Networked Creativity project. He is a second-year student in CAMD's MA program in Media Advocacy.
Dezeng Kong
Dezeng Kong is a PhD student in Interdisciplinary Design and Media at Northeastern University. His research interests include generative AI, human–AI interaction, and interactive design tools. He explores how people express creative intent and guide AI systems through design interfaces. He is also the founder of SnapStudio, an AI platform for e-commerce imagery and visual design.
Past Research Assistants
Yifan Xu
Yifan's research explores the intersections of communication, media, emerging technologies, and society. At the Center, she’ll be working under the supervision of Center Director Dr. de Souza e Silva on multiple research projects and external funding applications. She is also looking forward to working on publications on mobile communication and emerging technologies, such as AI and robotics.
Jahangir Babar
Jahangir is a graduate student in Engineering Management at Northeastern. He has a background in software engineering and seven years of filmmaking experience. He uses his technical and creative skills to study how new media affects society.
Melania Diaz
Melania Diaz is a third-year CAMD student majoring in Game Art and Animation. As the Center for Transformative Media co-op, she is responsible for office operations, event support, research assistance, and promotional content creation, among other things.
Alessandra Diaz
Ale is a third-year student at Northeastern University pursuing a combined major in Business Administration and Experience Design. As a research assistant, she brings both technical expertise and creative insight to her work. With hands-on experience in UX/UI, she has contributed to impactful projects centered on designing innovative, user-focused solutions that balance functionality with thoughtful design.