A roundup of ideas and projects from around the Institute
Yihang (Edward) Xu, BID ’25, has been recognized with a Red Dot Concept Award for his project AirFarm, a self-sustainable mobile solution for modern nomads that he began in a studio taught by Chamille Thayer, professor of industrial design. Red Dot aims to celebrate the best ideas in design and business.
Assistant Professor of Social Science and Cultural Studies Jan Dutkiewicz wrote an article for Vox about a recent consumer safety report regarding lead in protein powder. “The bottom line is that Consumer Reports’s protein lead scare is—pardon the pun—a big nothingburger. But the questions still remain: Are protein supplements completely safe?”
The Architect’s Newspaper’s Top 50 Architects and Designers in North America list features seven Pratt faculty and alumni, including Tania Chau, MID ’05; Little Wing Lee, MS Interior Design ’06; Mark Lee, visiting assistant professor of Graduate Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Design (GALAUD); Dean Levin, BArch ’12; Jing Liu, senior researcher at the Center for Climate Adaptation and former GALAUD professor; Annabelle Selldorf, BArch ’85; and Michael Yarinksy, BArch ’11.
Pratt’s Brooklyn campus hosted The Oral Storytelling Symposium, “a three-day exploration of innovative practices in oral history and storytelling, while interrogating orality in its broadest sense—through embodied storytelling, visceral narrative composition, music, movement, and diverse presentational forms.” Several Pratt faculty presented during the symposium, including Cisco Bradley, professor of social science and cultural studies; Fulla Abdul-Jabbar, adjunct assistant professor in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Chelsea Limbird, adjunct assistant professor of interior design; and Ellery Washington, associate professor of writing.
Guillermo Murcia, MArch ’99, joined HOK’s Atlanta studio as principal designer. “Known for his thoughtful, context-driven approach, Murcia creates architecture that is both enduring and responsive—design that reflects the cultural, environmental, and social fabric of its setting,” HOK writes in The Architect’s Newspaper. “His leadership emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to design excellence.”
Overgrown, by Nathan Ginter, BFA Film ’23, is screening at Nitehawk Cinema in Brooklyn as part of Brooklyn Horror’s “Head Trip” film shorts event.
Fine Arts Civic Engagement Fellow and 2025 Taconic Fellow Alex Strada was featured in Harlem World Magazine for her new project Public Address, presented in collaboration with The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Department of Social Services, Department of Homeless Services, and the Storefront for Art and Architecture. “I make art to transform systems of power,” said Strada. “Public Address emerges from years of sustained listening, working closely with people experiencing homelessness and frontline shelter staff across the boroughs.
Professor of Writing Samantha Hunt’s novel, Mr. Splitfoot was featured on Electric Lit’s list of 10 Books Featuring Devils, Doppelgängers, Ghosts, and Creepy Dolls. “Mr. Splitfoot features cults, sinister folk, mothers both good and bad, and the thin veil between what we can see and that which lies beyond,” writes Laura Venita Green. “This book is strange, thrilling, and remarkably touching.”
Cisco Bradley, professor of social science and cultural studies, received “Best International Film” at the Zepstone International Film & Music Festival for his film Take Me to Fendika. The film also won “Best Documentary” at the Africa USA International Film Festival.
Pratt Institute has earned a STARS Gold rating in the 2025 Sustainable Campus Index by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). For the second consecutive year, Pratt earned gold for its overall performance, with especially high scores in curriculum, research, campus engagement, and innovation and leadership. STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.
From Pratt Institute News
From Pratt Institute News
