Our Team
Founder and Operator of The Open Lab Initiative
Jacob Nassar
Hi, I'm Jacob Nassar, a high school Junior passionate about making STEM accessible to every student, regardless of background. On this blog, you'll find articles, resources, and opportunities to inspire students in science, technology, engineering, and math. I believe talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not, and I'm here to help bridge that gap.
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Mentor
Luai Nassar
Hi, I'm Luai Nassar, Senior Director of GPU Product Development Engineering at NVIDIA, where I lead teams building next-generation semiconductors including GPUs, HBM 3D stacking, and Silicon Photonics. With nearly two decades in the industry, I believe getting the engineering right from the start is what separates good products from great ones. I hold a degree from UC Davis and a Master's in Electrical Engineering from San Jose State University, and I am passionate about computing innovation and its role in shaping the future of AI and technology.
Website Advisor
Trung Le
Provided expert advice on the website including content management and user experience
Our
Story
Our Story
The Open Lab Initiative started with a simple belief: talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. As a high school student with a passion for engineering and a front-row seat to one of the most innovative industries in the world, I saw firsthand how much access matters. Not every student has the connections, resources, or environment to discover what they're capable of in STEM.
That's why I started The Open Lab Initiative. Our goal is to bring free, hands-on workshops in coding, robotics, and engineering directly to students from low-income backgrounds, giving them the tools, confidence, and inspiration to pursue careers in science and technology.
We are just getting started. Our first workshop is planned for Spring 2027, and we have big plans ahead including webinars with industry professionals, STEM resources for students nationwide, and eventually scholarship support for students pursuing STEM degrees. Every step we take is driven by one mission: making sure no student is left out of the future we are all building together.
Our Legal Status
The Open Lab Initiative operates as a fiscally sponsored project of Hack Club, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 81-2908499). Through this partnership, all donations made to The Open Lab Initiative are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law and managed with full financial transparency through Hack Club Bank.