| 1987 | Bachelor of Science | MIT Computer Science and Engineering (6.3) |
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| 1989 | Master of Science | MIT Technology and Policy (TPP) |
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| 2012 | Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) | U Tokyo Graduate School of Frontier Sciences | |
Engineering, science, and design teams spark my curiosity; what is really happening as they frame complex challenges, craft solutions, and implement them for real world impact? My research aims to reveal principles of teams and work as the two interact in a sociotechnical system. This research leads to practical methods for teamwork including model-based design of systems, strategy, architectures, projects, and coordination.
In turn, I am enthusiastic about the improvement of engineering education. Since my return to academia a decade ago, I am amazed how much research has taught us about learning, and I continue to learn to teach. My courses cover systems project management, engineering judgement, sustainability, teamwork, and innovation. My teaching leverages a mix of case studies, experiments, analytics, visualization, and simulation. Working with others to develop and deliver great experiences for learning is a privilege.
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The teamwork of the two characters shown in the MIT seal -- a craftsman and a scholar --
triggers the conditions for transformative insights and performance. |
Inspired by amazing mentors during my undergraduate experience at MIT, I believe strongly in engagement of scientists and engineers in public life. I was the first person to be president of the student body at MIT for two years. More recently I serve on the Hugh Hampton Young (HHY) Fellowship Council, which selects fellows based on transdisciplinary potential, leadership, and character. I'm very happy to also support and teach as part of the Gordon Engineering Leadership program.
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After graduating from MIT, I was lucky to be one of the first foreign engineers at Nissan Motors in Oppama, Japan. At Nissan I applied artificial intelligence to computer-aided design, multi-objective optimization, and robotic control problems. I lived in Japan for 10 years and since have spent a least a few months in Japan each year. |
| For a decade with United Technologies (UTC), I established strategy and operation for UTC collaboration across Asia with industrial partners, universities, and national research programs. |
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In the 1990's I was a visiting researcher at the University of Tokyo, Department of Precision Machinery Engineering. With Professor Fumihiko Kimura I formed a research team on the design and coordination of complex, global projects. |
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I stayed connected to the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences at the University of Tokyo where I received a doctorate. For a decade I led multi-disciplinary research on complex sociotechnical systems as a Project Associate Professor and Director of the Global Teamwork Lab (GTL). |
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I split my professional time three ways: in Japan with U Tokyo, in Boston in my roles at MIT, and in the field deploying new methods and tools at the business I founded called Global Project Design (GPD). I also get a chance to teach project design and complex project management, recently with PMI, PMAJ, ISTE, University of Denver, Virginia Tech, Institute of Science Tokyo, and Keio University. |
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At MIT I am the Academic Director of System Design and Management (SDM), a graduate program offered jointly by the Schools of Engineering and Management. I am responsible for the quality of education and research, including my role as lead instructor for an integrated, 9 months, core curriculum that integrates System Architecture, Systems Engineering, and Program Engineering. |
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During my time as a new faculty member at University of Tokyo, Prof. Kazuo Hiekata and I started the Global Teamwork Lab (GTL). Recently the lab has moved primarily to MIT, with researchers from multiple global universities in collaboration to explore problem-solving by teams of teams working on complex challenges. |
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From 2024 I was elected as President of The International Society of Transdisciplinary Engineering (ISTE). Today's complex problems, especially those with significant impact on nature and society, require a systems approach to solutions by considering a diverse range of disciplines, technical as well as social, and from user and practitioner communities. ISTE aims to explore and promote the evolution of engineering to incorporate transdisciplinary practices in which the exchange of different types of knowledge and people from a diverse range of disciplines is fundamental. |