The SJA Fellowship program has unveiled its class of 2024, featuring a diverse group of innovators whose work bridges the worlds of technology and the liberal arts.
Inspired by the trailblazing spirit of Steve Jobs, these young creators explore ideas that transcend boundaries and challenge conventions. Each fellow brings a unique perspective, drawing inspiration from their personal experiences and cultural backgrounds, making them stand out in their respective fields.
The SJA Fellowship is a one-year, non-residential program designed for emerging creators working at the intersection of technology and the humanities. Each fellow receives financial support, mentorship, and resources to help further their creative journey.
Through a combination of independent development and community-driven events, both virtual and in-person, fellows have the opportunity to grow their ideas while contributing to the SJA community.
Below are all the exceptional individuals who make up the 2024 SJA Fellows.
Adira Griffin, 24 | Designer and Artist
“Afrofuturism is a concept I truly understood after watching Solange’s When I Get Home (2019). I began to actively reflect and connect with my culture and the Black diaspora.”
Alexander Htet Kyaw, 24 | Engineer and Architect
“Growing up in Myanmar, a country under a dictatorship, I had limited exposure to design, technology, and the internet. While seeking refuge in the United States, I witnessed the drastic differences in infrastructure and technology, which inspired me to study architecture and computer science.”
Brandon Bunt, 24 | Mechanical Engineer and Educator
“Nausicaä, the protagonist of Miyazaki’s first [computer] animated film, embodies virtues of empathy, curiosity, and healing. The overarching message of the film is strengthened by her unwavering morals and willingness to re-examine her own beliefs.”
Huw Messie, 25 | Computational Designer
“Auriea Harvey and Michaël Samyn are a duo who developed genre-subverting games in the early 2000s, including The Graveyard. Their work often played with established gaming tropes, creating more existential and de-gamified mortal-world expressions.”
Isaiah Collier, 26 | Multi-instrumentalist, Composer, Activist
“Nina Simone created a legacy that outlived herself. She persevered. And she said freedom means having no fear. In order for us to do what we do, you have to be fearless.”
John Henley, 22 | Industrial Designer and Woodworker
“I’m deeply influenced by the work of Japanese woodworker George Nakashima. With respect for material and modest form at the forefront of his philosophy, Nakashima believed in crafting furniture that celebrates the ‘soul of the tree.’”
Karyn Nakamura, 23 | Artist and AI Researcher
“I found images of circuit diagrams inside the casings of old CRT TVs that I collected for a large-scale 60-screen installation. These little surprises are the reason why I love taking things apart.”
Luke Shannon, 23 | Algorithmic Artist
“Most recently I’ve been inspired by Lygia Clark, especially [her work] Caminhando, which uses simple materials (paper and scissors) and instructions to create an amazingly moving piece.”
Queenie Wu, 25 | Creative Technologist and Cartographic Storyteller
“The map at the back of a plane seat is my lifelong anchor amidst constant change. I moved homes five times by the age of eight and it provided a sense of continuity.”
Selena Martinez, 24 | Paleobiologist
“As an indigenous woman, the traditional lifeways and teachings of my people influence me the most. Our worldview is uncommon in academia and offers a unique perspective when I approach evolutionary questions.”
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