The Rare Connections Team

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Director, Producer, Writer

Ágnes Mócsy (pronounced Agh-nesh) is a Brooklyn-based Hungarian American filmmaker, professor, physicist. Ágnes received her Ph.D in theoretical physics, and after a successful career as a research scientist  she shifted her efforts exploring the interconnectedness of science, the arts, and social justice. Rooted in this she developed non-traditional educational approaches and communication platforms for science communication. She is Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the Pratt Institute, currently on leave as visiting faculty at Michigan State University. Ágnes is an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow, Fellow of the American Physical Society, and Yale University Fellow.   

https://www.agnesmocsy.com/

Producer

Karyl Evans is a six-time Emmy Award winning director/producer/editor/writer of documentary films.  Ms. Evans, owner of Karyl Evans Productions LLC in North Haven, CT, has produced documentary films on a wide variety of topics from the making of an oratorio to post traumatic stress disorder.  She has directed actors Meryl Streep, Paul Giamatti and Ruby Dee among many others.  Karyl has produced and directed over 50 short documentary films about exceptional women who have been inducted into the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame including Annie Leibovitz and Jane Pauley.  Ms. Evans was a full-time Professor at Southern Connecticut State University for two years, teaching documentary filmmaking and film theory.  She is currently a Fellow at Yale University. 

Executive Producer

Lee received his Ph.D. in Physics from Harvard University in 1998.  He was a postdoc at the University of Massachusetts Amherst from 1998 to 2001. In 2001, he joined North Carolina State University as an Assistant Professor in 2001, becoming Associate Professor in 2007, and Full Professor in 2012.  In 2017, he moved to the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University and is currently Theoretical Nuclear Science Head at FRIB. In 1991, Lee was a co-winner of the LeRoy Apker Award from the American Physical Society (APS).  In 2014, he became a fellow of the APS. 

Executive Producer

As laboratory director since 2015, Thomas oversees FRIB’s research and education missions, the advancement of core capabilities, and technical innovations that advance discovery and the state of the art. Thomas sets the laboratory’s vision and priorities; directs supporting policies and programs; secures optimal operations and project funding; and ensures that the FRIB Laboratory satisfies contractual commitments and operates in a safe, cost-efficient, and environmentally responsible manner.

Assistant Editor

Ayhan Vostina is a freelance film editor and educator. After he graduated with a BA in Film Production, he completed the MFA program in Media Production at City College of New York. Since 2010, Ayhan has been working as a freelance editor in Michigan, New York and Istanbul, and has been involved in many award winning productions including feature films, documentaries and music videos.

Assistant to the Director, Media Manager, and Assistant Editor

Garrett received his B.A. in Film Studies and Fiction filmmaking production at Michigan State and is currently a screenwriting MFA candidate at the University of California, Los Angeles with an emphasis in television writing. He was an assistant to the director for production and later became assistant editor for organizing footage and creating the teaser.

Transcription Coordinator, Production Assistant 

Sarah Kutchinski is a recent Michigan State University alum, graduating with a major in Media & Information and Film Studies, with a minor in Fiction Filmmaking. Sarah currently works as a Producer and Editor at the media production company, Overneath Creative. She has been involved in the film Rare Connections for over a year now, and she is so proud to play a part in the creation of this film.