Phi Kappa Theta
Class of 2026
Men of Value
Michael Peng (MXP)
Hometown:
College Station, Texas
Major:
Computer Science (6-3) and Mathematics (18)
Activities:
Varsity Swim and Dive, Poker
Hey y’all! I’m Michael and I was born and raised in College Station, Texas. I’m planning on majoring in course 6-3 (computer science) and course 18 (mathematics). I chose PKT because of how diverse and supportive the community was. The brothers have all been extremely accepting and helpful in regards to navigating life at MIT. Outside of PKT, I'm on the Men's Varsity Swim and Dive team where I mostly swim sprint butterfly and freestyle.
Francis Liu (FXL)
Hometown:
Boston, Massachusetts
Major:
Computer Science (6-3)
Activities:
Varsity Baseball, Sports Analytics
Hey everyone! I’m Francis and I’m a first-year planning to major in 6-14. I’m from Lexington, which is a suburb of Boston (around 20-30 minutes from MIT). PKT has been extremely impactful experience for me in a bunch of ways. Coming to the house and engaging in all of the events has really given me a sense of community and a home away from home, and the brothers have been an unwavering source of mentorship and support. Outside of my classes, I'm on the OC for the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference and a pitcher for the baseball team. I'm a hard-core country music fan and my diet consists solely of Chipotle and Sweetgreen.
Alex Zhang (AXZ)
Hometown:
San Jose, California
Major:
Artificial Intelligence (6-4) and Mathematics (18)
Activities:
Pokerbots, Arcturus, Ultimate Frisbee, Rock Climbing, Lifting
Alex is one of the smartest brothers you'll ever meet. You won't catch him wasting away his life with unfruitful games of beer pong. Instead, he'll spend those Friday nights in the most fruitful adventures within the halls of McCormick. Beyond the impact he's already made at McCormick, Alex wants to make an impact on the world at large. He's already inspiring the younger generation by his riveting lectures at PokerBots. One attendee of these lectures, who happens to be a resident at McCormick, commented that they were a tour de force of erudition, a tear-jerking marriage of theory and practice. Oh the places he will go!
Jacob David (JDD)
Hometown:
Fort Worth, Texas
Major:
Computer Science and Mathematics (18-C) and Physics (8)
Activities:
Lifting, Research, Cooking, Latin Dance
Kevin Wen (KXW)
Hometown:
Somerville, Massachusetts
Major:
Computer Science (6-3)
Activities:
StartLabs, Basketball, Pool, Board Games
Kevin is a man of a multitude of interests - he isn't afraid of showing off his pool skills, twitches at the sight of a lonely piano waiting to be played and pumps iron whenever the chance is obtained. When he is not sending the most outrageous reels on Instagram or working on his project to map all the interiors of MIT, he can be seen having fun with his friends on campus and brothers at PKT. With his immense passion for Math+CS, intense eye contact abilities and immaculate vision, Kevin is a force to be reckoned with.
Gaurab Das (GXD)
Hometown:
Chicago, Illinois
Major:
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (6-2)
Activities:
MIT Pokerbots, Formula SAE, SuperUROP
James Liu (JXL)
Hometown:
Boise, Idaho
Major:
Artificial Intelligence & Decision Making (6-4)
Activities:
StartLabs, UROP, Lifting
James is an enigmatic presence, hailing from the quiet expanses of Idaho, a place as unassuming as him, yet equally filled with hidden complexities. If you're lucky enough to catch his gaze, you'll be met with a stare so piercing it could only be described as menacing—a quiet testament to the depth and intensity that lies beneath his reserved exterior.
In the realm of intellect, James is a force to be reckoned with. While many are still grappling with the basics, he's diving into complex algorithms and mathematical theories as naturally as breathing. But don't expect him to flaunt it; his brilliance is cloaked in a shyness that only makes you wonder more about the layers yet uncovered.
James' duality shines most clearly in his unique set of interests. On one hand, he's a formidable League of Legends player, where his strategic acumen and killer instincts are unveiled. On the other, he oscillates between two seemingly contrasting states: a hermit-like focus that rivals ancient scholars, and a libidinous energy that most would find difficult to keep up with.
This enigmatic blend of traits makes James an outlier in the most fascinating ways. Is he the brooding genius lost in his world of complex thoughts, or the playful youth living for visceral experiences? Maybe he's both, or maybe he's neither. What's certain is that James carries with him an intrigue so compelling, you can't help but want to know more.
His introspection and self-awareness often have him oscillating between extremes, yet it is perhaps this very oscillation that forms the cornerstone of his genius. Always aware, always searching, and always unpredictable—James is a mystery we're all keen to solve, but one that refuses to be easily defined. With a future as enigmatic as his personality, we can only be certain that whatever path James chooses, it will defy all expectations. And that's precisely why he's an indispensable part of our circle.
Alex Shin (AXS)
Hometown:
Dallas, Texas
Major:
Physics (8) and Materials Science (3)
Activities:
Guitar, Video Games
Prince Patel (PGP)
Hometown:
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Major:
Computer Science and Cognitive Science (6-9)
Activities:
South Asian Student Association, UROP, Club Volleyball
Prince Debrah (PAD)
Hometown:
Accra, Ghana
Major:
Artificial Intelligence & Decision Making (6-4)
Activities:
Video Games
From the rhythmic depths of Accra, Ghana comes Prince Debrah—a man so intriguing he's known as "Ghana steal yo girl." Dreads flowing and smile glowing, Prince is a virtuoso of swag and intellect. He majors in 6-4 and dabbles in entrepreneurship, often juggling both like he's in a circus of brilliance.
But let’s talk Friday nights. Prince has had a different charming companion every week this summer. That's 10 Fridays, 10 tales of romance, 10 chances for you to have your girl snatched. Yet, he can shift gears faster than a Bugatti. When he's not charming the MIT populace, he's diving into the complex world of League of Legends. Yes, he's ridiculed for it, but while you laugh, he's grinding—unapologetically committed to every game.
As for academics, this man once breezed through a graduate Sloan course without even noticing it was a graduate class. His intellect isn't confined to textbooks, though. While washing dishes, he moonlights as a dance prodigy—hitting those fire dance moves like nobody's business, even when he thinks he's alone.
This man’s athleticism? Mythical. Prince took one look at a pull-up bar and almost launched himself into orbit. He's PKT’s secret weapon in any athletic endeavor, boasting speed that makes mere mortals look like they're running on a treadmill.
Above all, what sets Prince apart is his genuine kindness. Whether he's waving hello or lighting up a room with his smile, he has the sort of warmth that would make a bonfire jealous.
So here's to Prince, the man who's just as comfortable in a grad class as he is in the heart-pounding arenas of love and LoL. A rising titan in both the digital and real worlds, and quite possibly the future baron of his own empire. Keep an eye on him; he's already stolen the show and, who knows, maybe he's about to "Ghana steal" something else next.
Daniel Portela (DAP)
Hometown:
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Major:
Management Science (15-1) and Artificial Intelligence & Decision Making (6-4)
Activities:
Discover Entrepreneurship & Leadership (DEAL), Startups, VR/AR, Climbing, Reading, Mindfulness, Association of Puerto Ricans (APR), Actually Getting Sleep
Nathan Kim (NCK)
Hometown:
Tallahassee, Florida
Major:
Mechanical Engineering and Finance (2A-15)
Activities:
Ring Committee ‘26, UA Sustain
Francisco Gomez-Paz (FGP)
Hometown:
Vancouver, Washington
Major:
Mathematics (18) and Artificial Intelligence & Decision Making (6-4)
Activities:
Drawing, Board Games, UROP
From the (not so) nice city of Vancouver, Washington, Paco is on a mission to conquer the world of mathematics while grappling with some enticingly distracting obsessions.
Paco's academic pursuits are punctuated by his semesterly descent into new and tantalizing vices. Like a moth drawn to a flame, he finds himself irresistibly ensnared by the allure of video games, particularly the intricate worlds of Tetris and Team Fight Tactics. These digital realms, while offering a temporary escape from the rigors of academia, often transform into captivating vices that threaten to devour his time and attention.
The siren call of Tetris's falling blocks and the strategic allure of Team Fight Tactics have been both a blessing and a curse for Paco. As he navigates the complex algorithms of math during the day, the gravitational pull of these virtual challenges lures him into the depths of addictive gameplay during the night.
However, like all great minds, Paco's pursuits come at a cost. His sleep schedule is frequently in shambles as he juggles his mathematical ambitions and the irresistible vice of video games. Fueled by a caffeine addiction that rivals his passion for math, Paco often burns the midnight oil to balance his academic responsibilities with his seductive obsessions.
Amidst his quirks and captivating vices, Paco's Hispanic heritage and unique personality shine bright. His questionable taste in music only adds to his enigmatic charm, while his ability to embrace his roots and dive into new passions sets him apart.
As Paco's journey at MIT unfolds, it's clear that he is not just a student of math, but a student of life itself, navigating the exhilarating highs and captivating vices that come with it. In his pursuit of knowledge, he leaves an indelible mark, showing that even the most tantalizing obsessions can't dim the brilliance of his mind or the uniqueness of his spirit.
Alex He (AJH)
Hometown:
Syosset, New York
Major:
Economics (14-1) and Artificial Intelligence & Decision Making (6-4)
Activities:
Rowing, UROP, Overloading Classes
Hailing form Syosset, NY, Alex (wait which one again?) is one of those people that really makes MIT feel like home. From drunkenly staggering around at parties to carrying you on your psets, Alex does it all. It’s a combination of his kind, caring personality and blinding brilliance that truly signifies what to achieve success at MIT. Unfortunately, like the majority of the rest of his class, Alex has fallen to the dark side and begun dabbling in the dangerous arts of finance - pray for his soul before it gets to late.