Mark Sivak

Associate Teaching Professor,  Art and Design
Associate Teaching Professor,  Michael J. and Ann Sherman Center for Engineering Entrepreneurship Education

Contact

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  FirstYear Engineering Students”, ASEE’s 123rd Annual Conference & Exposition, New Orleans, LA, June 2629, 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 PostStroke”, Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy (JNPT), Vol. 3 No. 37, 2013
  • Farjadian A., Sivak M., Mavroidis C. SQUID: SmartphoneBased Sensorized Shirt for Home Rehabilitation and Monitoring, Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics (ICORR), Seattle, Washington, June 2426, 2013
  • Sivak M., Murray D., Dick L., Mavroidis C., Holden M., “Development of a LowCost Virtual Realitybased Smart Glove for Rehabilitation”, Proceedings of the International Conference on Disability, Virtual Reality & Associated Technologies, Laval, France, September 1012, 2012.

Faculty

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 & […]

Undergraduate

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.

Faculty

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.

Faculty

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.

Faculty

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.

Undergraduate

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.

Student Groups

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.

Faculty

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.

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