Hi there! My name is Natasha, and I a PhD Candidate in Mechanical Engineering at MIT, where I focus on recycling batteries. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science from MIT in 2022 with a double major in Mechanical Engineering and [Urban] Planning. Before coming back to MIT for my PhD, I spent a year in the Netherlands as a Fulbright Scholar in the Building Physics research group at TU Eindhoven researching energy-efficient buildings. For my MechE master degree's at MIT, I focused on designing devices for energy-efficiency atmospheric water harvesting.  As a born and raised New Yorker, I cultivated an interest in energy, climate change mitigation, and heat and mass transfer by focusing on the resilience of cities in the face of climate hazards, especially urban heat, to protect at-risk communities like my home. I use my skills in engineering and planning paired with my enthusiasm for problem-solving to contribute to sustainable development on Earth and beyond. I find impact by engaging in projects, conducting research, and discussing ideas. Some of my favorite experiences have been prototyping a communications tower for the Moon, designing a greenhouse for Mars, and researching heat mitigation strategies for New York City. ​For fun, I cook, tinker, and play soccer. Enjoy my website!