John Stuart, AIA, Distinguished University Professor in Architecture, Associate Dean for Cultural and Community Engagement and Executive Director of Miami Beach Urban Studios is an architectural historian and a visual artist developing collaborative research projects on complexity, community, identity, technology, the environment and public space with funding from Van Alen Institute, The National Endowment for the Arts, The National Science Foundation, The National Endowment for the Humanities, and The Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts.

Jacqueline (Jacqui) Thompson, Program Manager, oversees the Urban Studios as well as the CARTA Innovation Lab. She is a trained MakerBot technician, ensuring students, faculty, and guest have support on any special 3D printed projects. She also oversees the administrative operations of MBUS to ensure its success. Jacqui has an associates degree in Urban Planning from University of Technology in Jamaica and a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from FIU. Jacqui has worked in the CARTA family for 7 years.

Colette Mello, Senior Special Events Manager,  oversees all events and manages social media and marketing for exhibitions and programming at Miami Beach Urban Studios.  She provides administrative support for budgets, grants and personnel issues.   She holds an MFA in Curatorial Practice from FIU and has taken MBA courses at Nova Southeastern.  She is active in the art community and has curated several exhibitions in Miami and Broward.

Elyssa Llanso, Junior Account Manager, drives email marketing initiatives, develops digital content, and ensures brand consistency across platforms. She supports data analysis, presentation creation, and internal communication while managing online shared sites and optimizing website functionality. Additionally, she contributes to immersive 3D content creation, operates the volumetric capture suite, and assists with event planning and execution. An FIU Alum, Elyssa received her BFA in Visual Arts.

Sara Erazo, Special Events/ Social Media Assistant, creates compelling digital content while finding unique ways to engage audiences. She also assists in coordinating special events, ensuring smooth execution and meaningful engagement. With a special interest in Art Direction, Sara is drawn to the visual storytelling aspects of branding and marketing. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Communication with Global Strategic Communications (GSC) Creative Track  and is expected to graduate Spring 2025.

Cymphony Wallace-Ferguson, Special Events/ Social Media Assistant, blends technical expertise with innovative marketing strategies to craft engaging, results-driven campaigns. She is passionate about content creation and interested in the future of digital marketing and storytelling. In addition to her digital work, she plays a key role in assisting with special events, ensuring they are well-organized and successfully executed. Cymphony is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Marketing and is expected to graduate Summer 2025.

Karim Nishida, Lab Assistant, is responsible for maintaining the 3D printers and plotters, ensuring they are ready and available for use. He also provides hands-on assistance to students, helping them navigate the technology and bring their creative projects to life. Beyond his daily tasks, Karim plays a role in supporting special events and exhibitions, assisting with setup, takedown, and event oversight. As an architecture student, he has a deep appreciation for exploring and studying the built environment, often finding inspiration through walking and observation.

This position is a General Maintenance Mechanic for the Miami Beach Urban Studios and for CARTA | Mana Wynwood, supports every aspect of the technology and facilities at FIU CARTA.

Elisa has a Masters in Architecture degree from Harvard University Graduate School of Design. She is the director and founder of Enlace Arquitectura 2007 and Enlace Foundation 2017, established in Caracas, Venezuela. Projects focus on raising awareness of spatial inequality and the urban environment through public space interventions, informal settlement integration and strengthening rural landscapes. Enlace’s work has been recognized in international biennials, competitions, and design exhibitions.

Eric holds a Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University. He started his practice in Argentina as part of Estudio STAFF, a firmed founded by Jorge Jose Goldemberg and Teresa Bielus de Goldemberg, specializing in social housing with over 20,000,000 s.f. of built work, all resulting from winning competitions. For Professor Goldemberg’s CV, CLICK HERE.

Michael is a member of the Amernet String Quartet; FIU’s Ensemble-in-Residence. A dedicated teacher, Klotz is Senior Viola Instructor and Artist-in-Residence at Florida International University in Miami, where he teaches viola and chamber music. Klotz is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where he was awarded the Performer’s Certificate. In 2002 he became one of the few individuals to be awarded a double Master’s Degree in violin and viola from the Juilliard School. At Juilliard, he was the recipient of the Tokyo Foundation and Gluck Fellowships.

Nick, Assistant Professor in the School of Architecture at the College of Communication Architecture + The Arts at Florida International University and is the principal of his own design office based in New York. Gelpi’s practice has been producing a diversity of projects from experimental structures and pavilions, to commercial retail design, and high-concept furniture and prototypes. Gelpi’s research is concerned with materials and representation, often incorporating procedures of fabrication and the conventions of testing through Mockups. For Professor Gelpi’s CV CLICK HERE.