Simon Opsahl

My name is Simon Opsahl, and I am currently a junior at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology majoring in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science with a concentration in Philosophy.

My interests range from hardware acceleration for AI to sustainability to philosophy. I love to run, to read, to explore, to make, and to learn. From my time volunteering in a student makerspace on campus to my time spent as a collegiate athlete, I have learned how to set my mind to a task and see it through to completion. I'd love to chat about anything that can be found on this website, and I am best reached by email.

Projects

I mentor in Metropolis, a student makerspace on MIT's campus. I have also taught classes organized around design and fabrication techniques. On my own time, I like to work with various machines, materials, and techniques to make gifts and pieces of art. My interest in making extends more into hobby than anything else, but I have made use of my skills in class and research projects.

Research

I have research experience investigating the role of environment in superconducting material degradation, identifying the relationship between artistic expression and climate identity, and studying the metabolic states of mice in torpor. More recently, I have investigated the impact of quantization in Small Language Models.

Coursework

I have taken a variety of classes in computer science, electrical engineering and cognitive science pathways. I have studied embedded design and controls as well as digital systems and machine learning. The union of these disciplines is optimizing computation on edge devices, pushing the limit on what we can do with low power and compute constraints.

Athletics

I am an active member of the MIT Men's Varsity Cross Country and Track and Field where I have been a part of two NCAA Champion Teams (XC 2022 and Track 2023) and an NCAA Individual Qualifier two times: one for the 800m (Indoor Track 2024) and the other for the 1500m (Outdoor Track 2024). I have earned a variety of all-Region, all-Conference and academic honors as well.

Music

I love to play music and have played different instruments for most of my life. I now frequently play music with friends in a band named FFD+G. We have performed at MIT Ring Delivery '24, and are always willing to take a local gig (if you are okay with amateurs). My experience is with the tenor saxophone and piano.

Giving Back

I spend time teaching and mentoring in a student makerspace each week, where I teach first years basic making skills with 3D printers, laser cutters, and low power electronics so that they have the skills to design and make on their own . I also am a counselor for Camp Kesem, a summer camp for kids whose parents have or had cancer.