ESP Biography

DIPTARKA HAIT, MIT Junior majoring in Chemistry and Physics

Major: 5+8

College/Employer: MIT

Year of Graduation: 2016

Brief Biographical Sketch:

Im originally from India, and I grew up in the quiet suburbs of one of the biggest Cities there (Calcutta, if you are interested). I was originally a bio enthusiast who wanted to do nothing more than dig up dinosaurs, especially the cool Theropods like T-rex. Later, I decided to go after the living representatives of Theropoda (a.k.a Birds), but finally settled on being a Chemist in high school.
Now I am essentially a Theoretical Chemist, who uses the laws of physics to see why molecules behave the way they do. I havnt lost my fascination with the past yet, and I love reading about ancient cultures in my spare time (my current fad is Byzantine history-borne out by my picture, taken at Hagia Sophia in Istanbul).

Credentials: Gold Medalist in the International Chemistry Olympiad in 2012 and 2011 (Silver medalist in 2010).

Past Classes

(Clicking a class title will bring you to the course's section of the corresponding course catalog)

H9829: The Roman Empire in the Middle Ages in Splash 2015 (Nov. 21 - 22, 2015)

Despite exagerration from Renaissance historians, the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in 476 was merely a minor event for the people at that time. The wealthier and more populous Empire in the East still survived and preserved the old knowledge of the classical world. It would evolve, wane and wax over the years (even re-holding Rome for over 200 years) but it would endure till 29th May 1453-when at last it gave up the ghost.

H8530: The Roman Empire in Splash 2014 (Nov. 22 - 23, 2014)

Follow the Roman Empire over the course of 1480 years from Antiquity to the Medieval Era. Learn how the Empire survived despite barbarians, inflation, political instability, corruption, plagues, religious divisions and even the brief loss of its Capital. Witness the cyclical rise and fall of fortunes, until the last Emperor casts down his crown and rushes to attack the invaders who had breached the walls of his city, never to be seen again. And finally, understand how the Roman national identity survived despite the loss of the Empire, and still affects the world today. As you admire the bones of the Empire, do not forget the shadow it still casts, whether for good or for evil.

S8291: Why are Carrots Orange? in Spark 2014 (Mar. 15 - 16, 2014)

What happens when you put an electron in an extremely tiny box? And how does it behave when you shine light on it? Come find out why this is the reason why carrots are orange and leaves are green.