ESP Biography



IVYANN SHEN, Course 9, Course 24




Major: Brain and Cognitive Sciences

College/Employer: MIT

Year of Graduation: 2027

Picture of Ivyann Shen

Brief Biographical Sketch:

Course 9, Course 24



Past Classes

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

S16501: Evolution, from Natural Selection to Gene Editing in Spark 2026 (Mar. 14 - 15, 2026)
In this class, we’ll learn about how evolution works, from mutations in DNA to natural selection, and explore these ideas through hands-on activities. We’ll also do a deep dive on modern gene editing and how it’s used in fields like agriculture and medicine. Finally, we’ll discuss ethical questions around gene therapy, editing embryos, and who gets access to these technologies.


Z16323: Intro to Global Health in Splash Fall 2025 (Nov. 22 - 23, 2025)
How do we guarantee medical care for all? Should vaccinations be mandatory? How should we distribute resources if our medical system is under stress? Is it possible to balance protecting our economy, our environment, and our citizens? Physicians, scientists, politicians and advocates work tirelessly to promote global health equity—but how? In this class, we’ll learn about how we can work towards achieving equal, accessible, and quality care for all—and what that means globally.


S16324: Infectious Disease and Antibiotic Resistance in Splash Fall 2025 (Nov. 22 - 23, 2025)
What is the molecular and cellular basis of infectious diseases, and how does the immune system respond to infections? We will cover the mechanisms that enable resistance to antibiotics and how antibiotic resistance has affected different populations globally. We will explore solutions to the issue of antibiotic resistance.


Z16325: Health Policy and Equity in Splash Fall 2025 (Nov. 22 - 23, 2025)
What are the origins of health disparities, and what policies have been created to address them? We will cover key social, structural, economic, and political determinants of health, how health policy is made, and how health policies impact diverse populations around the world. We will also explore how advocacy can contribute to creating more equitable health systems and promoting health literacy.


S16107: Introduction to Global Health in Splash Spring 2025 (Mar. 15 - 16, 2025)
How do we guarantee medical care for all? Should vaccinations be mandatory? How should we distribute resources if our medical system is under stress? Is it possible to balance protecting our economy, our environment, and our citizens? Physicians, scientists, politicians and advocates work tirelessly to promote global health equity—but how? In this class, we’ll learn about how we can work towards achieving equal, accessible, and quality care for all—and what that means globally.


E16113: AI Revolution in Public Health in Splash Spring 2025 (Mar. 15 - 16, 2025)
Artificial intelligence is one of the most revolutionary technological innovations of our time, and is now found in nearly everything from smart cars to entertainment platforms to agriculture. However, what does the rise of AI mean for the world of public health? How may it be an unprecedented tool for innovation—and how may it create entirely new obstacles? In this lecture, we will cover everything from the societal implications of AI to the cutting-edge public health solutions that are being developed today.