Past Member

J. Ira Winder

Former Research Scientist
  • City Science

Ira builds data-driven models of complex systems and deploys them as real-time, interactive simulations to help institutions answer questions about technology and society

Ira does end-to-end design, development, and implementation of interactive simulations. Ira works with industry, academia, and public agencies to build tools for solving problems in complex systems. Ira invented the tangible interactive matrix (TIM), an integrated hardware and software platform that merges parametric, voxelized simulations with user-friendly tangible interfaces. His work is now a platform for interdisciplinary research, most notably the CityScope Project at the MIT Media Lab's City Science Group.

Ira's range of expertise includes Computer Science, Mathematical Modeling, City Planning, and Architectural Design. He is a Master of City Planning (MIT, 2013) and Bachelor of Science and Design (MIT, 2010). Ira has spoken and exhibited at venues including Autodesk University, TEDx Boston, US Chamber of Commerce, APA Planning Conference, Singapore World Cities Summit, Big Data Analytics Tokyo, Edinburgh Culture Summit, Guiyang Big Data Expo, and The G7 Conference for ICT. He made an appearance in "A Lego Brickumentary," and his work has been featured on CBS, Financial Times Magazine, The Atlantic's CityLab, and a White House report to the President on "Technology and the Future of Cities."