meet the visionaries

  • Mia Dunn

    Founder, Head of Materials Engineering

    Mia holds a degree and four years of experience in Chemical Biomolecular Engineering research at Johns Hopkins University. This experience led to the creation of the bioplastic we use at Tato Labs. An innovation that is not just durable and functional but also aesthetically pleasing.

  • Mecca McDonald

    Founder, Head of Research and Marketing

    A scientific and creative thinker who majored in Psychology and Economics at Johns Hopkins University.

    In the bleak year of 2020, was Mecca stuck in her dorm at Johns Hopkins, yet comforted by the pandemic's change of pace. She searched for connection, but instead found endless TikToks and discovered people making resin art at home. This harmless craft, masked dark symptoms of fossil fuels – a tsunami of plastic waste choking Earth. Within those four walls, revolution brewed. Inspired by the pandemic's focus on climate and armed with "I can do better than that.” Mecca embarked on an impossible quest: creating and scaling a viable plastic alternative.

  • Josh Ambrose

    Advisor

    Director of Student Ventures at Johns Hopkins University.

    FastForward U is Johns Hopkins’ hub for student entrepreneurship and innovation. We work with undergrads to post-docs, helping early-stage companies build the teams of tomorrow, launch innovative products and services, and expand opportunities for all.

  • Jurien Huggins

    Industrial Designer

    Jurien Huggins is a multidisciplinary designer and creative director based in New York. He specializies in systems building and is currently pursuing a Masters at Parsons school of Design