Phd in Cognitive Science in Education, BAS in Systems Engineering

Teachers College, Columbia University

Azadeh Jamalian is founder and CEO of The GIANT Room co-design lab for families and schools. She is a TED speaker, former head of education strategy at littleBits, and co-founder of Tiggly early learning startup. Jamalian has designed learning products and programs that millions of families have engaged with, and thousands of schools have implemented in their programs. Through her work at The GIANT Room, she has partnered with more than 15,000 schools, museums, libraries, and organizations such as Joan Ganz Cooney Center, Fred Rogers Productions, LEGO Education, Scratch Foundation, Sesame Workshop, Verizon, Google.org, Meta, and Lysol to provide to deliver community engagement initiatives, co-design research, and learning programs that sit at the intersection of literacy, creative STEM, and the responsible use of technology, including AI.. She has a PhD in cognitive studies in education from Teachers College, and has published on topics such as designing learning platforms for family engagement and emerging educational tech.

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PhD in Science Education

Teachers College, Columbia University

Jessica Mezei, PhD is the Chief Partnership Officer and Co-Founder of The GIANT Room, where she builds joyful, community-powered collaborations with libraries, schools, museums, and corporate partners. She holds a PhD in Science Education from Columbia University and brings over two decades of experience working across classrooms, informal learning environments, research, and education-focused startups—shaping learning experiences that connect teaching, design, and innovation.

At GIANT, Jess designs partnerships that amplify kids’ voices and help young people build confidence through creative experiences, inviting them to see their ideas valued, shared, and celebrated in their communities

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MS in Neuroscience and Education

Teachers College, Columbia University

Maria Eugenia (“Maru”) is a passionate educator and curriculum writer from Monterrey, México. She earned a master’s degree in Neuroscience and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and has been with The GIANT Room since graduating. Maru began as a Creative Tech Resident and now serves as the company’s Executive Director of Instructional Design. In this role, she leads the design and delivery of in-person engagements, including afterschool programs, co-design workshops, and special events.

BM in Flute Performance, MA in Arts Entrepreneurship

Mannes School of Music & The New School

Rebecca Schifilliti is an educator and artist with an entrepreneurial spirit. Rebecca is the co-founder and co-executive director of Art Beyond the Ink, an arts education organization which supports students and early-career artists through musical storytelling and interdisciplinary collaboration. At The GIANT Room, she runs their daily Creative Bootcamp program and builds curriculum and content for STEAM (STEM + Arts) workshops, including a collection of over 300 educational videos and lesson plans. As a musician, Rebecca has participated in the Krymov Lab, working with visionary Russian theater artist Dmitry Krymov on the creation of an original theater piece. She has also performed in venues throughout NYC and abroad.

MA in Instructional Technology and Media

Teachers College, Columbia University

Hongjin is the Director of Research at The GIANT Room, where she leads the design and facilitation of the research and co-design projects in close collaboration with industry partners. She conducts research analysis and translates findings into clear, actionable reports that support educational product designers as they iterate on future versions of their work. Hongjin holds an MA in Instructional Technology and Media from Columbia University and brings experience from instructional design in higher education as well as leading STEAM programming in maker-spaces for diverse audiences. Her research interests center on human learning, with a particular focus on designing collaborative learning experiences for and with children.

Rama Deshpande is a designer and researcher with an MFA in Design and Technology from Parsons School of Design - The New School, New York. She has professional experience as a UX/UI and game designer, conducting user research and testing, and designing and developing playful interfaces. She channels her enthusiasm into co-designing meaningful educational experiences with kids through fun, playful, curiosity-driven research. She also has experience teaching creative STEM + Storytelling to children ages 3 to 12 years old during afterschool, and enrichment programs at schools and museums.

Iris is the Product Designer at The GIANT Room, where she creates intuitive, joyful experiences that empower children, educators, and families to explore creativity through AI-powered tools. She holds a BFA in Product Design from Parsons School of Design and an MS in Human-Computer Interaction from Georgia Tech, bringing a foundation in both design craft and human-centered research to her work.
Iris approaches design by diving deep into diverse user needs—from young creators to teachers to parents—iterating quickly to build systems that grow with the product, and measuring what truly matters across different use cases. Her work centers on designing flexible experiences that meet users where they are, whether that’s reducing friction in creative workflows, supporting educators in the classroom, or helping families engage with their children’s creativity.

Aaron is an educator and artist from New York City. He has previously taught at NYU Tisch, Stella Adler, and Actionplay, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing actors of all abilities with equal access to the theatre-making process. He is also passionate about science and software, holding a Certificate in Software Development from the Flatiron School, and a Certification in Cybersecurity from ISC2. He loves developing STEAM (STEM + Arts) curriculum, as well as facilitating GIANT product design sessions with young people.

Mariana Hartwell is a creative educator and designer from Monterrey, Mexico, now based in New York City. She specializes in UI/UX and graphic design, creating engaging experiences at the intersection of art and technology.

Paulina is a Graphic Designer who graduated from Universidad del Desarrollo with a Diploma in Innovation and Interdisciplinary Studies. She focuses on creating clear, consistent visual solutions based on strong design fundamentals and visual communication. She has experience in professional creative environments, including work connected to The GIANT Room. At GIANT, she contributes to design-related projects and the development of different visual materials.
Based in Santiago, Chile, she is interested in continuing to grow professionally and collaborating on projects where design adds strategic and creative value to always achieve the best possible outcome.

Swara is a multimedia illustrator and educator working across analogue and digital illustration, animation and sculpture. She takes a special interest in narrative and game design, working with illustration, 3D modelling and fabrication to craft characters, creatures and worlds. With a BFA in Illustration from the Parsons School of Design, her professional work as an illustrator has spanned working in sets, jewellery design, logo design and editorial illustration. Her clients here have ranged from film production studios and creative agencies in India to accessories brands based out of Korea and NYC. Her career as an afterschool educator finds her working at The GIANT Room and Splat Lab where she teaches Anthro-Arts and STEAM programs. As an educator, she introduces children to world cultures, scientific concepts and creative solutions through art, craft and experimenting. With her passion for guiding kids with projects as diverse as her interests, she seeks to be a resource in bringing their wildest imaginations and ideas to life.

Vanessa is a designer with a passion for painting, art, and visual creativity. She has worked as a freelance graphic designer, creating thoughtful and engaging designs that bring ideas to life. She combines creativity with professionalism to deliver work that reflects both artistic vision and purpose.

George is dynamic researcher, writer, and copywriter with six years of experience. He is a master of transforming complex ideas into compelling stories. He has helped dozens of businesses boost client engagement through nuanced advertising, research integration, and passionate storytelling. His skills include exceptional writing and editing, copywriting, in-depth research, SEO expertise, and creative problem-solving.

Camila Soto is a Chilean architect who began her studies in design and later specialized in architecture. Her work focuses on visual storytelling and how design impacts those who experience it, combining architecture and design through the development of objects, creative systems, and spaces. She is currently the CEO and co-founder of Thoca Estudio, a multidisciplinary brand that explores different areas of design and architecture, with a strong emphasis on color and creative exploration.