Mark Sivak
Associate Teaching Professor, Art and Design
Associate Teaching Professor, Michael J. and Ann Sherman Center for Engineering Entrepreneurship Education
Contact
- m.sivak@northeastern.edu
- 360 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115
Office
- 439 Ryder Hall
- 617.373.7909
Research Focus
3D Printing, Augmented Reality, Experience Design, Games for Health/Education, Product/App Design, Virtual Reality
About
Mark Sivak is a joint faculty member between the College of Arts, Media, and Design and the College of Engineering at Northeastern University. He is a triple Husky from Northeastern, earning a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 2007, an MS in Mechanical Engineering in 2009, and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Engineering in 2012. He teaches design and technology courses in both colleges, is a program director of the MS in Product Development, and his research interests include experience and product design for AR/VR, 3D printing, health, and education. He also oversees the 3D Printing Studio in the Snell Library. Mark co-founded and was CTO of several start-up companies and participated in the MassChallenge innovation accelerator in 2013 and 2015. He holds numerous patents.
Education
- PhD, Interdisciplinary Engineering, Northeastern University, 2012
- MS, Mechanical Engineering, Northeastern University, 2009
- BS, Mechanical Engineering, Northeastern University, 2007
Teaching Interests
- ARTG1255 Design Process Context and Systems
- ARTG3465 Experience Design 1 Abroad
- ARTG2260 Programming Basics
- ARTG3250 Physical Computing
- ARTG4700 Interaction Team Degree Project 1
- ARTG4701 Interaction Team Degree Project 2
- GE1501 Engineering Cornerstone 1
- GE1502 Engineering Cornerstone 2
- GE5030 Iterative Product Prototyping
Research Overview
3D Printing, Augmented Reality, Experience Design, Games for Health/Education, Product/App Design, Virtual Reality
Selected Research Projects
06/2015 – 12/2016
Improvised Action in Responsive Environments Co-PI, FRCAIG Grant
Developing models and artifacts to make manmade environments more reactive and responsive to their inhabitants
03/2014 – 12/2015
Live Performance Drones for Research, Education, and New Theatrical Form Development Co-PI, FRCAIG Grant
Designing novel unmanned aerial vehicles for use in experimental theater
03/2011 – 12/2015
Shortfall Co-PI/Lead Designer and Developer, Digital Game
Created and tested a game for undergraduates to learn about environmentally benign manufacturing
09/2010 – 05/2015
Using Computer-based Games to Diffuse Sustainable Innovations Co-PI, Digital Games and Experiences
Led teams of students to create tools and experiences to help the public understand their personal environmental impact
09/2011 – 05/2013
Squid: Exercise Effectiveness and Muscle Activation Tracking Co-PI/Advisor, Interdisciplinary Capstone Project & Graduate Project
Collaborated and advised a team of interdisciplinary students from computer science, creative industries, and mechanical engineering in creation of a fitness device and mobile software suite.
Selected Publications
- Freeman S., Pfluger C., Whalen R., Schulte Grahame K., Hertz J., Variawa C., Love J., Sivak M., Maheswaran B., “Cranking Up Cornerstone: Lessons Learned from Implementing a Pilot with First–Year Engineering Students”, ASEE’s 123rd Annual Conference & Exposition, New Orleans, LA, June 26–29, 2016
- Ranky R., Sivak M., Gade V., Deutsch J., Mavroidis C., “Modular Mechatronic System for Stationary Bicycles Interfaced with Virtual Environment for Rehabilitation of Patients Post Stroke“, Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation (JNR), June 5, 2014
- Deutsch J., Myslinski M., Ranky R., Sivak M., Mavroidis C., Lewis J., “Feasibility of Virtual Reality Augmented Cycling for Health Promotion of People Post–Stroke”, Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy (JNPT), Vol. 3 No. 37, 2013
- Farjadian A., Sivak M., Mavroidis C. “SQUID: Smartphone–Based Sensorized Shirt for Home Rehabilitation and Monitoring“, Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics (ICORR), Seattle, Washington, June 24–26, 2013
- Sivak M., Murray D., Dick L., Mavroidis C., Holden M., “Development of a Low–Cost Virtual Reality–based Smart Glove for Rehabilitation”, Proceedings of the International Conference on Disability, Virtual Reality & Associated Technologies, Laval, France, September 10–12, 2012.
Sep 15, 2023
Announcing Fall 2023 PEAK Experiences Awardees
Several engineering students and science students mentored by COE faculty are recipients of Northeastern’s Fall 2023 PEAK Experiences Awards. Projects this fall are tackling a range of topics and modes with students developing an autobiographical zine, studying the development of amphibian limbs, building better rocket parts, and more. BASE CAMP AWARDS Farhad Ibrahimzade COE’26 & […]
May 18, 2022
Announcing Summer 2022 PEAK Experiences Awardees
Several engineering students and science students mentored by COE faculty are recipients of Northeastern’s Summer 2022 PEAK Experiences Awards.
Apr 28, 2022
FY23 TIER 1 Award Recipients
Congratulations to the 15 COE faculty and affiliates who were recipients of FY23 TIER 1 Interdisciplinary Research Seed Grants for 13 different projects.
Feb 04, 2022
Announcing Spring 2022 PEAK Experiences Awardees
Several engineering students and science students mentored by COE faculty are recipients of Northeastern’s Spring 2022 PEAK Experiences Awards.
Apr 20, 2021
FY22 TIER 1 Award Recipients
Congratulations to the 17 COE faculty and affiliates who were recipients of FY22 TIER 1 Interdisciplinary Research Seed Grants for 11 different projects.
Jun 26, 2017
3D Printing in the Classroom
CAMD/COE Assistant Teaching Professor Mark Sivak and FYELC Associate Academic Specialist Jennifer Love demonstrated their use of 3D printing at TEXPO, Information Technology Services’ third annual Teaching and Technology Expo.
Jan 09, 2017
Generate Helps Students with Start-Ups
Northeastern's student-led product development studio, Generate, helps with product development and the business integration required to get create a start-up.
Feb 27, 2015
Bringing 3D Printing to the Classroom
Associate Academic Specialist Jennifer Love's Alternative Energy Vehicle Kits were featured as examples of what Northeastern's 3D Printing Studio is creating. The kits are part of her GE 1110 Engineering Design course that they work on in the First Year Engineering Learning and Innovation Center. The 3D Printing studio, which Mark Sivak directs, offers the […]
Sep 17, 2014
Patent for Custom Orthotics
Mark Sivak, Richard Ranky, & Constantinos Mavroidis were awarded a patent for creating patient specific ankle-foot orthotic devices using computer generated 3d models.
Apr 06, 2011
FY12 TIER 1 Award Recipients
28 COE faculty and affiliates were recipients of FY12 TIER 1 Interdisciplinary Research Seed Grants for 18 different research projects.