Motion Light Lab is a space where creative literature meets digital technology to create immersive learning experiences.
We are a part of the National Science Foundation/Gallaudet University Science of Learning Center on Visual Language and Visual Learning at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.
MOTIOn light lab’s efforts intersect creative literature and digital technology that integrate with VL2 science to create immersive learning experiences.
ML2 engages in a wide range of projects, research and development, including:
- the development and distribution of bilingual Storybook Apps,
- the provision of training to support literacy development for deaf children,
- the creation of advanced 3D signing avatars through motion capture technology.
Origins
Motion Light Lab started in 2009 with a collective led by Melissa Malzkuhn who wanted to explore the intersections of creativity to science, design, art, and emerging technologies including digital technology, from a Deaf culture, sign-centric perspective. Inspired by knowledge, research findings, and scientific evidence coupled with an innate desire to explain and realize ideas, we started a few projects. Then we ended up with more questions which led to more projects. At the core of our work is our shared set of values - our Deaf experience is a gift we wish to share with the world - and it all starts with sign language access.
Alas, here we are!
The Team
MELISSA MALZKUHN
Early bird or night owl? Night owl
How do you like your coffee? Black
Favourite book? Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
Favourite place you traveled to? It’s a tie between Bolivia and New Zealand
Best part of being an imagineer of ML2? By visioning a better world, and creating work that has positive and resounding impact
Melissa Malzkuhn
Founder / Director
LORNA QUANDT
Early bird or night owl? Early bird
How do you like your coffee? With half & half
Favourite book? The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell
Favourite place you traveled to? Marrakash, Morocco
Best part of being an imagineer of ML2? Widening my horizons and learning new things every day
Lorna Quandt
Science Director
YIQIAO WANG
Early bird or night owl? Both
How do you like your coffee? Nope
Favourite book? Graphic Novels
Favourite place you traveled to? Greece
Best part of being an imagineer of ML2? Sharing knowledge
Yiqiao Wang
Creative Designer / Senior Artist
JASON LAMBERTON
Early bird or night owl? Night owl
How do you like your coffee? Espresso with foam on top
Favourite book? Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Favourite place you traveled to? Kilimanjaro
Best part of being an imagineer of ML2? Being part of such an amazing and unique team making the future a reality!
Jason Lamberton
Human Computer Interactive Engineer
JIANYE WANG
Early bird or night owl? Early bird
How do you like your coffee? None
Favourite book?
Favourite place you traveled to? Yosemite
Best part of being an imagineer of ML2? Passion, creativity and value
Jianye Wang
3D Animator
SILVIA PALMIERI
Early bird or night owl? Night owl
How do you like your coffee? Cappuccino, with foam on top and two spoons of sugar
Favourite book? The Book of Errors by Gianni Rodari
Favourite place you traveled to? Uluru, Australia
Best part of being an imagineer of ML2? Unelashing creativity for the common good
Silvia Palmieri
Visual Designer / Animator
SARAH MILLER
Early bird or night owl? Night owl
How do you like your coffee? With two spoonfuls of sugar, half & half, and cinnamon
Favourite book? That's such a Sophie's choice question.. how can I pick just one?!
Favourite place you traveled to? Siena, Italy
Best part of being an imagineer of ML2? Working with passionate and wonderful individuals on a wide range of awesome projects that empower the Deaf community!
Sarah Miller
Community & Social Strategist
TAYLA NEWMAN
Early bird or night owl? Early bird
How do you like your coffee? None
Favourite book? Harry Potter
Favourite place you traveled to? Langjökull, Iceland
Best part of being an imagineer of ML2? Building numerous resources for Deaf children and community
Tayla Newman
Program Support Specialist
SHAHINUR ALAM
Early bird or night owl? Night owl
How do you like your coffee? Latte
Favourite book? Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
Favourite place you traveled to? Jeju Island, South Korea
Best part of being an imagineer of ML2? Meeting an ambitious team and learning something new from them
Shahinur Alam
Signing Avatars Immersive Learning (SAIL) PostDoc
TAYLOR DELORME
Early bird or night owl? Both!
How do you like your coffee? 4-6 spoons sugar, half & half or creamer
Favourite book? Hunted by Meagan Spooner
Favourite place you traveled to? North Carolina
Best part of being an imagineer of ML2? Having a team where my opinions are considered equally and being able to support my team when I am needed
Taylor Delorme
Undergraduate Research Assistant
AIMEE PINA
Early bird or night owl? Night owl
How do you like your coffee? None
Favourite book? The Giving Tree
Favourite place you traveled to? Ecuador
Best part of being an imagineer of ML2? Collaborating with other like-minded people, and creating a network of resources for the community.
Aimee Pina
Graduate Assistant
Our Alumni
CONRAD BAER, PROJECT MANAGER
Best course? ASL Poetry.
Coffee? Black.
Where are you from? That question always interest me because are you asking me where I grow up? Or where I live now? That question could interpret into different meanings. Well, I say that Denver, Colorado is my home.
Where do you WISH you were from? Eyeth.
What is the best part about being an imagineer of ML2? It gives me opportunity to do things that I never thought I could! It also give me opportunity to learn new things & put my creativity in the team.
MJ Kiego
Production Specialist
Juliana Bahan
Undergraduate Intern
(Spring 2022)
Anuja Nadarajah
Undergraduate Intern
(Spring 2021)
Julia Mills
Graduate Research Assistant
JamiLee Hoglind
Executive Assistant &
Labs Liaison
Gofaone Patane
Undergraduate Student Assistant
Fouad El Ati
International Intern
Tyler Naeyeart
MSSD Student Intern
Emily Cruz
MSSD Student Intern
Abdulrahman
Al-Ghamdi
Imagineer
Lauren Benedict
Creative Media/Lab Coordinator
Adrianna Rocha
Social Media Coordinator Intern
OPPORTUNITIES AT THE LAB!
JOIN THE TEAM!
We are constantly working on new projects and we are huge on collaborations. When we receive funding, we always look for top talent to join our team and make magic happen. We are especially interested in 3D animators and game developers.
Please drop us a note if you are one, or know of someone.
We will be updating this with current availability. If there are no positions open, it doesn’t hurt to email, introduce yourself (and your work) to our Director, Melissa Malzkuhn & get on our radar.
New position opening soon: Program Specialist/Production Support
Contact
800 Florida Avenue NE, SLCC 1103
Washington DC 20002
motionlightlab@gallaudet.edu