OUR FELLOWS.

Adi Krief
Industrial Design
Adi Krief is an architect and graduate student at the Technion - Israel. Her research is trying to find new materials for architecture that will be connected to the nature. Adi is the leader of the "capsule" project, which seeks to create an accessible complaints system for women who have experienced violence. Adi, together with Dana Gur, leads the Tom community at the Technion.
TOM: Technion

Alan Shepardson
Biomedical Engineering
Alan is a senior studying a BSE in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Design. Prior to entering the TOM fellowship he did research involving ventilator induced lung injury by helping develop a working model with H441 cancerous epithelial cells. Alan’s design philosophies aim to prioritize the aesthetic and functional aspects of product design to create new and accessible biomedical technologies for economically disadvantaged individuals. His dream job is to eventually design specialized athletic prosthetics for teams in the Paralympics as a prosthetics team design coordinator. On his off hours, Alan likes to train for long distance running, having just completed his first half-marathon recently.
TOM: Tulane University

Alex Omiatek
Biomedical Engineering
Alex is a senior in Biomedical Engineering. He became a TOM fellow because he wants to create a community on his campus that will create open source technology for those in need. In his free time, Alex enjoys spending time with his friends and exploring the city.
TOM: University of Illinois Chicago

Alexandra Weiss
Economics
Ally is a junior pursuing a major in Economics and a minor in Consumer Psychology. Ally has a strong passion for social impact and works hard to make a difference in her local and global community. Using her knowledge acquired from her studies and her desire to help others, Ally is excited to lead the TOM:UPenn community.
TOM: University of Pennsylvania

Amina Kobanova
Interactive Media and Computer Engineering
Amina is a third-year student studying Interactive Media and Computer Engineering. During her first year in college, she designed a mobile application that helps people with disabilities navigate through local facilities in Kazakhstan. Her passion for human-computer interaction and human-centered design is what brought her to launch a TOM Community in Abu Dhabi. Amina hopes to contribute to the TOM Community worldwide and build meaningful connections with the community in the UAE and the US.
TOM: NYU Abu Dhabi

Angela Lau
Applied Economics, Information Science
Angela is an undergraduate at Cornell University, studying both Applied Economics and Information Science. Angela is passionate about wielding technology and using computing to create tangible social impact. She was born and raised in Georgia and is a proud Atlanta native. In her spare time, Angela enjoys reading, hiking, and learning new languages.
TOM: Cornell University

Asaf Balaga
Industrial Design
Asaf is an Industrial Design undergraduate student. His practice is mainly focused on studying material properties, combining modern CAM methods in developing design concepts and solutions. He is an instructor at Machsava Tova Organization which aims to narrow social gaps within the Israeli society through technological education.
Asaf joined the TOM Fellowship Program with the motivation to help and grow an impactful makers community, contributing to TOM's problem-solving ability to make a difference for people around the world. In his spare time, Asaf is also passionate about music and cooking.
TOM: Bezalel Academy of Art and Design

Asha Prakash
Biomedical Engineering
Asha is a Biomedical Engineering graduate student. Her undergraduate senior capstone project
involved designing an improved suction interface for the flange component of a lactation
device, with a particular focus on developing a cost-effective design marketable to low-resource
communities globally. Asha hopes to incorporate her passions for women’s and global health
initiatives through the TOM Fellowship Program and post-graduate work.
TOM:Columbia University

Brett Weinman
Physical Therapy
Brett is a junior studying physical therapy at Boston University. He is proud to be a BU Terrier, and is looking to spread his impact beyond the Boston University campus. Brett loves the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, and is excited to work with fellow Makers as well as Need-Knowers in order to find solutions to challenges faced by those in local communities. In his free time, Brett enjoys running, snowboarding, going to hockey games, and spending time with his family and friends.
TOM: Boston University

Dana Gur-Gelbard
Industrial Design
Dana is a graduate student pursuing her MID (Master of Industrial Design) and working as a Project Manager at Philips Medical Systems Technologies Ltd.
She believes that when we love and enjoy what we do, we do it better. Dana enjoys the learning and development that comes with every project, constantly looking for challenges and not afraid of difficulties. She is willing to contribute and help the society we live in and pioneer a TOM community at the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology.
As a former professional athlete, in her free time, Dana also enjoys sailing and rock climbing.
TOM: Technion

Darbie Sokolow
Operations and Management
Darbie is a Junior studying operations and management with a minor in social entrepreneurship. She is passionate about using business as a means to create products that can help others. Throughout COVID she founded a program that brought food packages to first responders during the height of the pandemic and helped create curriculum for a club called Girls Who Solve which teaches female students how to better understand the use of Artificial Intelligence in their day to day lives. In her free time, Darbie enjoys photography, hanging out with her friends, and traveling to explore different cultures.
TOM: New York University

Eitan Abecasis
Computer Engineering, Entrepreneurship
Eitan Abecassis is a senior at the University of Michigan College of Engineering. As a computer engineering major with a love for entrepreneurship, Eitan has merged his two interests with the passion of helping others to create a TOM community at the University of Michigan. Eitan was a member of the pioneering TOM program among high schools at the Leffell School, formerly known as Schechter Westchester in Hartsdale New York. In 2020/21, TOM:University of Michigan hosted the first ever TOM Design Challenge! We can’t wait to see what 2021/22 has in store!
TOM: University of Michigan

Elisheva Shiri Decktor
Electronics and Electric Engineering
Elisheva is an Electronics and Electrical Engineering student and an Impact-driven entrepreneur. Elisheva Shiri has participated in several leading impact-entrepreneurship and leadership programs such as Joy Venture, Fresh.Fund, ACT-TAU and Pro-Women. Elisheva Shiri aspires to bring forth open-source community-based DIY projects like the ones she has made throughout her life. With experience in hardware, software, design thinking and a passion for makering, Elisheva shiri is looking to lead the next generation of impact driven ventures and projects with and for those around her.
TOM: Shenkar College of Engineering and Design

Eugene Brukhman
Industrial Design, Fashion Design
Eugene is an undergraduate student at Pratt Institute majoring in Industrial Design with a minor in Fashion Design. He was a fellow at the Lehigh Mountaintop Initiative in 2017, where he spearheaded a project designing objects for people with mental illnesses, and has been facilitating Virtual Peer Support Art Therapy groups since the beginning of the pandemic. Eugene hopes to use design to help improve quality of life for people with disabilities in his professional career, and is excited for the opportunity to work with TOM.
TOM: Pratt Institute

Geffen Dotan
Design and Education
Geffen is an undergrad in the Multidisciplinary Design and Education department. She is passionate about personal development, and enjoys challenging herself. In addition, she finds purpose in creating products that assist others, and using design processes for educational goals. TOM’s values coincide with her own goals of leveraging design for good causes, leading her to establish the TOM community on her campus. Alongside her studies she works as a carpenter.
TOM: Kibbutzim College

Hadi Daher
Mechanical Engineering
Hadi is a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering student. Hadi is passionate about using his field to to make a real impact and improve somebody's life. In his free time Hadi likes to make cakes, and also read books.
TOM: Braude

Hagar Bar Lev
Jewelry Design
Hagar is a Design student at Shenkar College. During her studies she took part in Medical Accessibility and Remote Rehabilitation projects and participated in a summer program collaboration between TOM and Shenkar. She has experience working in special education and with children with disabilities. Hagar is excited to combine all these fields through designing and creating solutions, and hopes to expand the collaboration between TOM and Shenkar.
TOM: Shenkar College of Engineering and Design

Inbal Katz
Industrial Design
Inbal is a 3rd year Industrial Design Student. She spends much of her time volunteering, and has a great passion for working with and for people. During High School, Inbal took a robotics course and decided to major in Computer Science. Inbal served one year of her National Service in Chicago, and is familiar with both American and Israeli communities. She hopes to achieve valuable contributions through industrial design and realize the good it can create.
TOM: Holon Institute of Technology

Jacob Rojas
Public Health
Jacob is a junior studying Public Health on the Pre-Pharmacy track. Jacob is passionate about societal health and community health and hopes that the TOM Fellowship will allow him to explore how his passion can impact the community around him. At Virginia Tech, Jacob is involved in a variety of organizations from the Virginia Tech Pre-Pharmacy Club, Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, and Hillel at Virginia Tech. In his free time you can find Jacob exploring the beautiful New River Valley of Virginia, cooking, and hanging on campus with friends.
TOM: Virginia Tech

Jed Chizner
Advertising
Jed is an advertising major with extensive experience in brand and event promotion and marketing. When he learned about TOM and the work they do, he felt a need to be involved. In his free time, Jed works with an R&B artist on her management team. He loves to thrift, and hang out with friends.
TOM: University of Georgia

Justin Janawitz
Electrical Engineering
Justin is a junior studying Electrical Engineering. He currently builds music electronics equipment and has been playing guitar for 12 years. He would like to extend his field of expertise into helping make people's lives easier in any way he can.
TOM: University of Georgia

Lauren Grohowski
Mechanical Engineering
Lauren is a junior studying Mechanical Engineering and Communications in Science and Technology with a minor in Political Science and Applied Mathematics. She first learned about TOM through the Makeathon her freshman year and identified strongly with the mission of the organization. During Lauren's sophomore year, she joined the board as the logistics manager. . Lauren is excited for the opportunities moving forward as president and the differences the TOM community can make, no matter how small or large. In the next year, she hopes to implement an in person Makeathon and continue to grow interest and participation in TOM events.
TOM: Vanderbilt University

Mariam Lambertt
Product and Multimedia design
Mariam is a Product and Multimedia design student. Mariam has an affinity to work on human-centred projects. Technology, innovation, and the creation of both digital and physical projects are the things she loves doing, and she enjoys doing multicultural projects to strengthen those values.
TOM: Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation

Max Seidel
Mechanical Engineering
Max is a Mechanical Engineering
student and he loves making!
His passion for helping people began
in high school when he built a
Myoelectric Prosthetic arm that
eliminated the need for TMR surgery.
Since then he has built everything
from a exoskeleton, prosthetic leg, and
many 3D printers. During the
COVID-19 pandemic he started Atlanta
Face Shields, an initiative to fabricate
and distribute face shields. To date
over 4,200 face shields have been
donated with more to come!
TOM: Northeastern University

Mia Rosenfeld
Biochemistry & Biophysics
Mia (she/they) is a 4th year PhD student in Biochemistry & Biophysics. Her biggest passion is applying science to problem solving in order to make a more equitable and just world, specifically with historically underserved communities in mind. Mia has been lucky to be involved in many projects that engage the spirit of tikkun olam through science, including cancer drug development and SARS-CoV-2 biosensor design. Mia is excited to help foster a community at UC San Diego with other talented scientists and engineers, ranging from undergrads to grad students to local industry professionals. Together, she hopes to develop innovative solutions to often ignored or overlooked problems, with a specific emphasis on improving quality of life for those with orphan diseases.
TOM: UC San Diego

Mohammed Abboosh
Informatics
Mohammed is a PhD researcher in the school of Informatics (developing machine learning algorithms for self-driving cars) and a lab assistant in the University of Debrecen, Hungary. He has always inspired his students to develop their skills in programming to help the community, and this was his main reason for joining TOM. Recently, Mohanned worked as an electronic design engineer in a R&D team for a company based in the United Kingdom. His role was designing and developing interactive applications for people with disability and a sample of his work was installed in the Netherlands.
TOM: University of Debrecen

Mor Wagshal
Mechanical Engineering and Geophysics
Mor is a Mechanical Engineering and Geo-physics student at Tel Aviv University. Supporting his choice of studies is his passion for creating a more accessible and greener environment for us to live in. Prior to his studies, Mor taught water sports and worked in a medical device start-up. His interests include backpacking, playing the flute and in general being outdoors.
TOM: Tel Aviv University

Netanel Tesler
Mechanical Engineering
Netanel is a 4th year Mechanical Engineering student. During his studies, he interned in the Robotics Lab at his university and volunteered at a scientific studies program for young children in order to expose them to the scientific world. During his military service, Netanel was a team leader, responsible for personnel management. Netanel has been volunteering as a Maker in TOM:BGU’s community.
TOM: Ben-Gurion University

Nicole Caballero
Biomedical Engineering
Nicole is a Biomedical Engineering student who has been very involved with volunteering, science outreach, and research groups over the past few years. She will be working with the TOM team over the next few months to initiate and form a TOM community at her university.
TOM: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos

Or Dolev
Electrical Engineering
Or Dolev is a third year Electrical Engineering student. During his studies, he also works as a research assistant. Or volunteers at a non-profit organization that helps approximately 120 people with disabilities from all sectors and ages. Or is creative, artistic and sensitive to people with disabilities and as such is enthusiastic to combine the two. Or served in the IDF as a combat fighter in sayeret matcal and sayeret egoz.
TOM: Ariel University

Oz Shwartz
Industrial Engineering and Management
Oz Shwartz is a TOM Fellow at Shenkar College. He is a 4th year Industrial Engineering and management student. He also works as a guide housing system of people with disabilities. When he finishes his degree, he would like to engage in the development of application solutions for people with disabilities or in environmental protection inventions. Oz believes in the quote that says- "choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life". As a result, he feels connected to TOM's vision. In addition, he would like to help spread the vision of Tom and initiate a collaboration with ‘Nitzan’ Association, his workplace. Oz also love spend his spare time playing drums, taking photos, and doing extreme sports.
TOM: Shenkar College

Rami Besan
Mechanical Engineering
Rami is a Mechanical Engineering student at ORT Braude Academic College of Engineering.
Rami's passion for helping people with physiological disabilities encouraged him to study Mechanical Engineering which could enable him to ease their problems. Rami works in a medical products solution firm supporting startup companies. In addition, during the weekends he works as a Bicycle Guide.
TOM: Braude

Ross Walker
Mechanical Engineering
Ross is a senior studying Mechanical engineering. He spent the last 4
years managing projects in a different club, but has been searching for an organization that is
more service based like his in scouting. Ross has spent the last few years gaining
engineering experience at a crane company in the black belt of Alabama. After discussing the
lack of healthcare and related issues with his coworkers, Ross became intrigued with assisting
people in this historically disenfranchised part of the country. A friend introduced him to TOM
where he can blend his passion for service, engineering, and history to help the citizens of
Alabama.
TOM: University of Alabama

Sabrina Alessi
Biomedical Engineering
Sabrina is a third-year Biomedical Engineering and Entrepreneurship student. Prior to attending UVA, Sabrina was president of her Girls who Code club and interned at an architecture firm tasked with generating CAD designs. At UVA, Sabrina is involved in The American Heart Association and HooThon – a group that works with children and supports the local children’s hospital. Her drive for bettering our world through medical technology stems from her experience 3D printing a hand for a young boy in middle school. In finding TOM, she is able to follow her goal of bettering our world and believes that a UVA TOM community will provide students an opportunity to apply their studies by seeking innovations that directly impact the community.
TOM: University of Virginia

Sam Eisenberg
Industrial Design
Sam is an Industrial Design student enrolled in the honors college at Virginia Tech. While learning about his own major, he is also one of forty to partake in the Calhoun Discovery Program. This educational experience is a way to think collaboratively with several majors apart from his own and work hand in hand with industrial partners.
TOM: Virginia Tech

Samara Tabankin
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Samara is a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin Madison majoring in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. In high school Samara discovered her love for 3D printing and robotics. After participating in a TOM program in high school, Samara hopes to continue to use 3d printing and technology to make a difference in people’s lives at a university level. In her free time Samara enjoys volunteering, sports, and spending time with friends.
TOM: University of Wisconsin- Madison

Samuel Arditti
Engineering and medical science
Samuel Arditti is an Engineering and Medical Sciences student at University College London (UCL). As a medical engineering student, Samuel has combined his two interests of healthcare and innovation to form a TOM community at his university in London. He is working with professors from the UCL Institute of Healthcare Engineering to integrate TOM into his university and bring leading engineering experts, medical specialists and creative students to push the boundaries in areas where engineering innovation has the potential to transform patient care.
TOM: University College London

Selena Aguilar
Education
Selena is a senior in CSUSM’s Education Program, focusing on science and special education. Most recently, she worked with special needs children at The Winston School in San Diego as a Teacher’s assistant/tutor. While working for Microsoft, Selena led coding camps for the youth, held training sessions for elderly users, and was part of the support team for Outlook mobile launch. Selena was also a community development specialist, helping organize volunteer groups for organizations such as Make-A-Wish and The Roland McDonald House. In high school, Selena held roles in construction tech academy and robotics club as vice president, as well as leading volunteer groups that helped support her community.
TOM: California State University San Marcos

Shir Fruchtman
Industrial Design
Shir is an Industrial Design student. He always thought that design should be focused around making people's lives better and easier. Shir found out about TOM a few years ago and was inspired to study industrial design. Shir believes that with the people at TOM and the maker communities around the world we can make a real impact and make the world a better place, for everyone.
TOM: Bezalel Academy of Art and Design

Shira Zigenlaub
Industrial Design
Shira is an Industrial Design student. She served as a simulator instructor in the Israeli Air Force and was part of the establishment of a new and unique simulator that combines helicopter pilots, CCTV operators and commando fighters. The simulator combined innovative technologies, including virtual reality (VR). After the army, Shira established and coordinated several volunteer projects, including one that took the models from the world of flying to the field of social activity, as well as a project that coordinated lectures for the elderly during the coronavirus period. Shira dreams in the future of developing medical products and dealing with innovative technologies.
TOM: Holon Institute of Technology

Sophia Neves
Master of Architecture
Sophia a Brazilian-American student pursuing a Master of Architecture degree at FIU in Miami. Her passion for design and problem-solving comes in part from a background in art history and volunteer projects in her hometown of Recife, Brazil. Sophia aspires to become an architect and urban designer that can help preserve our beautiful cities and contribute to projects that design with compassion.
TOM: Florida International University

Teddy Lambert
Computer Engineering
Teddy is a fourth-year student in the Computer Engineering program and a second-year TOM Fellow. At Georgia Tech, he has been involved with several campus organizations including serving as the treasurer of the Georgia Tech Ice Hockey Club. Teddy is also part of the Space Systems Design Lab at GT. In his free time, Teddy enjoys playing hockey and tinkering around with any electronics he can get his hands on. Teddy joined the TOM:GT during its first year in 2019, and led the effort to stage the first annual makeathon (virtually) in 2021. Also during 2021, Teddy and TOM:GT won first place in the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta Propel Innovation Pitch Competition which awarded a $35,000 prize to help grow TOM across Georgia.
TOM: Georgia Institute of Technology

Yasmin Alhilli
Archeology and Ancient History
From a young age, Yasmin decided to put her higher education on hold in order to pursue a professional career in motor sports. Yasmin is the first Gulf female to be both a co-driver and then a driver and won the ladies trophy in the 2002 FIA Middle East Rally Championship. An unfortunate accident put her out of professional racing, but she continued her career in Sports Management, working as a consultant for some of the largest teams in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Arabian Gulf. Yasmin was the first Gulf Arab woman and the first of two Bahrainis to obtain her official license from FIFA to act as a Licensed Player Agent. On Bahraini Women’s Day in 2012, Yasmin had the honor of receiving an award from Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, President of the Supreme Council for Women, for her achievements and contributions towards Women in Sport. Yasmin graduated from the University of Leicester with a degree in Archaeology and Ancient History and has worked on archaeological digs in the United Kingdom as well as working as a trainee Osteologist in the National Museum of Archaeology in Lisbon, Portugal. Yasmin is mother to Gabriela Danya, Deputy Chairman of the Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and has four adopted dogs. She is also a Board of Trustees member of the Bahrain Entrepreneurship Organisation where she is the Head of the Innovation, International Relations and Globalisation Committee.
TOM: Bahrain