About Our Team

Meet the researchers and innovators behind Mobile Networked Creativity, exploring how technology and creativity intersect in communities worldwide.

Project Director

Adriana de Souza e Silva

Adriana de Souza e Silva

Project Director

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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Mai Nou Xiong-Gum

๐—ฌ๐—ถ๐—ณ๐—ฎ๐—ป ๐—ซ๐˜‚

Postdoctoral researcher

Yifan's research explores the intersections of communication, media, emerging technologies, and society. At the Center, sheโ€™ll be working on 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.โ 

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Mai Nou Xiong-Gum

Mai Nou Xiong-Gum

Consultant

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.

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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 Parkar

MS in Information Systems

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.

Jahangir Babar

Jahangir Babar

MS in Engineering Management

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

Communications & Program Assistant Co-op

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.

Melania Diaz

Alessandra Diaz

Research Assistant

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.

Documenting creative practices that emerge within situations of hardship and resource constraints around the world.