Max Zhaoyi Wang is graduating from the Harvard Graduate School of Design in May 2026 with a Master in Design Studies, focusing on sustainability and building technology. During her time at Harvard, Max became involved in campus sustainability initiatives and programs, including the Office for Sustainability’s Student Sustainability Grant program. Learn more about Max’s experience at Harvard.
How are you involved with the Harvard Office for Sustainability?
I received a Student Grant from the Harvard Office for Sustainability (OFS) to purchase a 3D printer for my AeroTerra project. The printer allows me to fabricate molds for TPMS geometries, or triply periodic minimal surfaces, which are difficult to produce through conventional methods. I began this work in Fall 2025 and have been developing the project since then.
What is your best memory working in sustainability at Harvard?
My best memory was being connected to the Harvard Divinity School Garden by Rachel Martinez, administrative and project coordinator at OFS. That introduction helped me move the project from a prototype into a real planting site, where I could test crop growth and learn from people working directly with campus sustainability and garden operations.
What other sustainability experiences did you have at Harvard and beyond?
Beyond campus, I received funding from the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability to conduct field research in the Atacama Desert in Chile. I studied local building techniques, desert landscapes, and soil-based construction methods, with a focus on how architecture can adapt to extreme climate conditions.
What are your plans for the future?
This first venture experience has led me to think more seriously about building tools that connect sustainability research with real-world implementation. In the future, I hope to develop software related to sustainable supply chains, material tracking, and climate-responsive design decisions.
What advice would you give to incoming students?
I would recommend the Climate Venture Class at the Harvard Innovation Labs. Although it is not for credit, it meets every Friday and brings in entrepreneurs working on climate-related ventures. It was very inspiring for me because it showed how sustainability ideas can become real projects, organizations, and companies.