GOV/LAB is pleased to introduce two undergraduate research assistants who are joining us for the Spring 2026 semester: Natasha Ceol and Emma Hyman. Both Natasha and Hyman are participating in MIT’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). With GOV/LAB, Natasha and Emma will be supporting our ongoing research projects relating to deliberation and Artificial Intelligence.

Natasha Ceol is a sophomore majoring in Computer Science, Economics, and Data Science (Course 6-14) and Finance (course 15-3). She is originally from outside of Boston and is a certified scuba diver. At MIT she plays on the Varsity Women’s Soccer team.

“I’m broadly interested in understanding how the growing adoption of AI is shaping political processes and societal outcomes, especially in the current U.S. context where there has been major investment in AI infrastructure but relatively limited regulation. Working with MIT GOV/LAB gives me the chance to explore these questions in a practical research setting focused on technology and democracy.”

Emma Hyman is a freshman intending to major in Mathematics with Computer Science (course 18-C). While in high school, she conducted computational biology research with MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI) and astrophysics research at the University of Louisville. 

“Since I was very young, I have loved learning about politics and sociology. I think the opportunity here at GOV/LAB is a great way to research the politics I’ve loved while intersecting with the STEM I’ve chosen to study!”

Header Photo by 🇸🇮 Janko Ferlič on Unsplash