Ye Yao, Chief Jedi (Co-Director)

Ye was born in China, grew up in Florida (USA), and trained at the Jedi Temple headquarters of MIT. She is now working hard to nurture this PN2K Boston-based nonprofit to long-term sustainability. Originally a pre-med whose summers consisted of biological engineering projects, cognitive neuroscience research, and volunteering at Children's Hospital Boston, she found her calling after a few core classes at the MIT Sloan School of Management. This experience ignited the fire that sent her halfway around the world on multiple trips. She realizes that not everyone is this lucky and hopes to establish Peace and Order in the galaxy by building meaningful businesses. Ye is beyond excited to be working alongside our Directing Samurai and "using the Force" to lead their fearless team. One line she takes to heart from the Jedi Order: "The choice is yours alone. Do what you think you cannot do. It will be a hard life, but you will find out who you are."

Carmel Mercado, Directing Samurai (Co-Director)

Doctor of Medicine by day, PN2K Co-Director by night, Carmel works tirelessly around-the-clock as Directing Samurai. She first began sharpening her mind, body, and spirit as a warrior-in-training at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Class of 2009), where she served in various teaching and mentorship roles, including as a Teaching Assistant for multiple courses and a Freshman Associate Advisor. She was also involved as a teacher and mentor for Breakthrough Collaborative in Fort Lauderdale, FL and Cambridge, MA and for different educational and international exchange programs in Japan. As one of her most respected senseis once told her, “Knowledge makes you knowledgeable, but it is experience that makes you wise.” Through PN2K’s educational initiatives, she hopes to inspire young minds to have the curiosity to learn and experience life. And she wants everyone who rides a bicycle to wear a helmet too. 

Alpha Sanneh, Resident Agent

Alpha graduated from Boston University with a degree in Computer Science and is now part of the MIT community, where he has also been working as PN2K’s resident agent for the past year. Alpha is a dedicated participant of the November Project, a grassroots free fitness movement with morning workouts. Beyond just receiving all the important mail and goods of PN2K, Alpha also helps with the technical development of PN2K’s website. He can be found always smiling somewhere near MIT or BU, or on his bike.

Dingfang Zhou is a graduate student majoring journalism in Boston University. As a former fashion magazine contributor, she believes every one has stories to tell and she would always like to be their listener. She flew from Beijing to Boston in order to explore more possibilities as a reporter. She has now fallen in love with visual journalism. Dingfang is also a runner and cyclist.

Yaoming Duan was a 5-year Multimedia designer and Interactive programmer in China. Now he is studying in Northeastern University. He has double majors in both digital media and business. He enjoys running, biking, boating, doing Media projects and photo/video shooting.

Tian graduated MIT as class of 2011 with a degree in chemical engineering. She has been with PN2K since its conception and founding and played an integral role in its growth, acting as its resident agent from 2013-4 and now as its clerk. Tian is also very involved with SealNet. Fun fact: she loves penguins and has a collection of penguins with Japanese food-nicknames.