Rising to the Challenge
Carnegie Mellon celebrates 30 recent alumni making an impact around the world
By Amanda S.F. Hartle
From operatic stages and virtual worlds to industrial warehouses and medical research labs, Carnegie Mellon University’s 2024 Tartans on the Rise are transforming the planet through their artistic expression, scientific exploration, entrepreneurial spirit and visionary innovations.
Now in its third year, Tartans on the Rise celebrates alumni who graduated in the last 10 years and are making an impact on their organizations and in their communities, across the nation and around the world through leadership, innovation and career accomplishments.
“Alongside the entire Carnegie Mellon University community, I congratulate this year’s class of Tartans on the Rise,” said President Farnam Jahanian. “The passion, creativity and leadership of these remarkable Tartans truly embody the CMU spirit. We're inspired by their successes to date and eager to see how they'll shape the future."
These recent alumni are reducing workplace accidents with computer vision, developing technology to prevent HIV infections and promoting inclusion in beauty and cosmetics. They’re driving data-centric solutions to improve air quality and helping veterans to transition successfully to civilian life. And they’re breaking barriers that create systemic poverty and amplifying underrepresented voices through architectural design.
“CMU’s Tartans on the Rise are elevating and enhancing industries, communities and people everywhere,” said Teresa Trombetta (HNZ 2018), assistant vice president for alumni and constituent engagement. “I am so thrilled to celebrate the contributions of these incredible members of our Tartan community.”
The 2024 cohort includes alumni who have founded multiple companies and others who have been honored with such prizes as the H&M Foundation’s Global Change Award and the Metropolitan Opera’s Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition for emerging artists.
One has been selected for Poynter Institute’s Leadership Academy for Women in Media and another designed costumes for a Sundance Film Festival-winning movie. One starred in one of Netflix’s most-streamed shows, another drafted award-winning pieces for Scientific American and Massive Science and one creates YouTube content enjoyed by millions.
They’ve been recognized as Forbes 30 Under 30 leaders and in the publication’s AI 50 listing, and by Fast Company for their startups’ top-ranking AI innovations. Others have been recognized by Publisher’s Weekly, MIT Review Young Innovator and the Global Economic Forum.
This year’s Tartans on the Rise are a part of notable organizations like NASA, Amazon, Disney Theatrical, Sony Masterworks, Google, Danaher and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.
Meet the 2024 Tartans on the Rise:
- Tomas Aftalion (HNZ 2012, 2015), Co-founder and Head of X, Pachama
- Elizabeth Agyemang (CFA 2017), Author, Illustrator and Editor
- Sarika Bajaj (ENG 2018, 2019; CMU 2020), Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Refiberd
- Nate Bertone (CFA 2016), Theatrical Storyteller
- Sabih Bin Wasi (CMU 2015), Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Stellic
- Blake Chasen (TPR 2016), Co-founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Tally Labs
- Hao-Wei Chen (ENG 2013), Director of Information Security, Audible
- Nick Cotter (HNZ 2018), Data Analyst, Allegheny County Department of Human Services
- Harishma Dayanidhi (SCS 2016), Co-founder and Vice President of Engineering for AI, Voxel
- Kyle Eberly (TPR 2018), Founder, Sitreps2Steercos.com; Engineering Program Manager, Google Wide Trust Governance
- Tushita Gupta (ENG 2018, 2018), Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Refiberd
- Zain Islam-Hashmi (CFA 2019), Design Strategist
- Torrell Jackson (HNZ 2017; TPR 2017), Senior Director, Business Manufacturing & Operations, Orthodontics, Envista Holdings Corporation
- Anurag Kanungo (SCS 2016), Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Voxel
- Ananya Kapur (MCS 2021), Chief Executive Officer, Type Beauty
- Shinjini Kundu (ENG 2016), Fellow Physician and Research Scientist, The Johns Hopkins Hospital
- Michelle J. Li (CFA 2019), Costume Designer
- Xi Liu (CMU 2015), Founder, Ferne Health
- Raven McMillon (CFA 2017), Soprano Opera Singer
- Camille Moore (HNZ 2018), Senior Vice President, External Affairs, American Association of Blacks in Energy
- Emily Newman (SCS 2019), Software Engineer and Rover Planner, NASA Jet Propulsion Lab
- Rukhsar Neyaz (CMU 2015), Co-founder, Stellic
- Musab Popatia (CMU 2016), Co-founder and Head of Engineering, Stellic
- Darren Riley (DC 2014), Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, JustAir Solutions
- Meredith Schmehl (DC 2018; MCS 2018), Neuroscientist and Science Communicator
- Carter Sharer (MCS 2016), Creator, Innovator and Entrepreneur
- Arsema Thomas (MCS 2016), Actor; Founder, Enki
- Göksu Uğur (CMU 2015), Lead AI and Progression Systems Programmer, Santa Monica Studios
- Anna Walsh (DC 2013), Director of Editorial Operations, Texas Monthly
- Michelle Wolf (ENG 2014, 2015), Co-founder and CEO, New Wave Foods