As a young child, Katie Spivakovsky discovered the value of observing the world from unique perspectives. Conversations around dinner tables at her home in Menlo Park, California, often revolved around the intricacies of culinary science, such as the Maillard reaction, and mathematical curiosities, like the allure of prime numbers. Spivakovsky’s parents, both with distinct academic backgrounds – his mother excelled in physical chemistry, while his father was skilled in statistics – instilled a deep appreciation for interdisciplinary knowledge that transcended traditional boundaries.
During her high school years, Spivakovsky delved into a wide range of subjects, encompassing both classical literature and computer science. She yearned for an undergraduate experience that fueled her diverse interests, a setting where every field was within reach.
“With its exceptional reputation, MIT immediately caught my attention,” Spivakovsky remarks. What ultimately sealed the deal for me, however, was the existence of NEET – a pioneering program that seamlessly integrates undergraduate students into a rich tapestry of interdisciplinary experiences both on and off campus – which reinforced my conviction that MIT was the ideal fit for me.
The New Education for Emerging Topics (NEET) initiative fosters collaboration among academic departments by providing an innovative, interdisciplinary approach to education, equipping undergraduate students to tackle the pressing concerns of the 21st century. At the start of their second year, NEET students opt for one of four research domains, known as “threads”: Autonomous Machines, Climate and Sustainable Systems, Digital Cities, or Living Machines. After completing the standard four-year program, NEET graduates are awarded a degree at the level of their primary study area and a NEET certificate, providing them with in-depth knowledge of their chosen subject and the versatility to excel within a multitude of domains.
Spivakovsky has become a junior, pursuing double majors in Organic Engineering and Synthetic Intelligence and Decision-Making, while minoring in Arithmetic. As the boundaries between biology and computer science converge at an unprecedented rate, she emphasizes her commitment to harnessing engineering and computational tools to uncover novel biomedical discoveries – a core focus of her current academic pursuit.
With a nod to innovation, NEET’s co-founder and first government director, Amitava ‘Babi’ Mitra, asserts that the organization’s mission surpasses conventional engineering. “It’s about empowering young engineers to think big, fostering a culture of collaboration, and tackling the world’s most daunting challenges with passion, resilience, and insatiable curiosity.” Witnessing college students like Katie flourish is what makes this program resonate so profoundly.
Spivakovsky’s achievements while at MIT have garnered international acclaim. In 2023, she spearheaded an undergraduate team at the iGEM competition in Paris, France, developing a proof-of-concept solution for cancer cachexia treatment. Cachexia is a devastating condition characterized by the wasting of both fat and muscle mass, currently lacking an FDA-approved treatment option. This devastating reality affects a staggering 80 percent of patients with advanced cancer and is responsible for a grim 30 percent of all cancer-related fatalities. Spivakovsky’s team received a silver medal for pioneering the engineering of macrophages to remove excessive interleukin-6 – a pro-inflammatory protein overproduced in cachexia patients, whose work was subsequently published in MIT’s esteemed journal, an achievement she describes as “unreal and humbling.”
Within the renowned BioNanoLab led by Professor Mark Bathe, a distinguished academic in organic engineering and former director of NEET schools, Spivakovsky contributes to groundbreaking research as a scholar-in-residence. The laboratory leverages the unique properties of DNA and RNA to develop novel nanoscale materials with applications in therapeutic delivery and information processing. Her primary research emphasis is on validating the potential of nucleic acid-based nanoparticles for use in therapeutic applications.
According to experts like Bathe, Katie demonstrates exceptional potential as a leading scientist – her unwavering enthusiasm and innovative approach to developing pioneering vaccines are truly remarkable, leveraging an unparalleled depth of understanding in both biological and computational realms.
Spivakovsky credits class 20.054 (Residing Machines Analysis Immersion) within the NEET program with enriching her experience in Bathe’s lab by providing a comprehensive skillset through workshops focused on effective scientific communication, staying current with the latest scientific literature, and monitoring analysis progress. She confesses to worrying about multiple matters, finding that constantly shifting focus between them keeps concerns fresh in her mind.
During the summer, Spivakovsky’s interdisciplinary passion led her to Merck, where she interned with the Modeling and Informatics team. As part of a research project aimed at disabling a cancer-inducing protein through targeted drug intervention, she leveraged computational chemistry tools to design novel binding sites on the protein where drugs could effectively interact and inhibit its activity.
“My team enthusiastically employs the software I created, leveraging the valuable insights I acquired through my project,” Spivakovsky notes. “The goal protein has unlimited therapeutic potential, affecting countless people worldwide. I’m optimistic that within the next decade, medication will become available, and my humble contribution may make a meaningful difference in many lives.”
As she gazes toward her future, Spivakovsky envisions herself at the nexus of synthetic intelligence and biology, where she hopes to converge her passion for wet-lab experimentation with computational analysis. “I struggle to envision myself in a career that’s completely one-sided – lacking balance and nuance.” “This extraordinary harmony is where I truly feel most awestruck.”
As Spivakovsky’s interests unfold, she affirms that one thing is undeniable: “NEET has unquestionably facilitated my personal and professional growth as a scientist.”
