Manhattan Project
Approximately 20 Delegates - Single Delegate
Welcome to the Manhattan Project Crisis Committee for ILMUNC XLI! Delegates will be placed at the heart of one of the most pivotal moments in world history: the development of the atomic bomb during World War II. Delegates will assume the roles of key scientists, military officials, and political leaders as they navigate the ethical, scientific, and strategic dilemmas of creating the world’s first nuclear weapon. With the stakes rising each day, participants must balance national security, international diplomacy, and the long-term consequences of unleashing unprecedented destructive power. Unexpected crises, espionage, and high-stakes decisions will challenge delegates to shape the future of global warfare and post-war politics.
DEAR DELEGATES,
Welcome to the Manhattan Project. I'm Shrey Kakkar, co-chair of ILMUNC's craziest committee, and I'm eager to see you all bring your A game to this dynamic table.
History shows you what humanity did well in the Manhattan Project - and what it should have done better. This is a unified effort that relies on cooperation between geniuses and generals, and compromise beyond borders. In this era of paramount technical development, you must decide the new future with caution. Use the blessing of hindsight.
About me - I'm a junior in Wharton/Engineering studying Stats and CS. I'm from Bangalore, India, with the best weather in the world. Bangalore gifted me a love of the sun, soccer, and a deep hatred for traffic. Outside of class, I keep up with all things startups around campus. I also travel to compete for Penn’s Model UN team.
Arjun, Mudit, and I are looking forward to making this an unforgettable one.
Shrey Kakkar
Co-Chair, Manhattan Project
kshrey10@wharton.upenn.edu
Dear Delegates,
Welcome to The Manhattan Project! I hope everyone is ready for an action- packed couple of days in which you will explore the intricacies of one of the most important scientific projects of the 20th century. My name is Mudit, and as your chair I look forward to guiding you along the way in this historical crisis committee.
For those who are curious, I’m a sophomore at Penn in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences studying Computer Science. This is my first time staffing ILMUNC, but certainly far from my first MUN experience. I grew up in South Florida, and was an active member of my school’s travel team starting in 2021. I attended ILMUNC in 2023, where I competed in a World War I Crisis Committee regarding the Paris Peace Conference. Outside of ILMUNC I’m an active member of the Hindu Jain Association and a proud part-time gym bro.
A quick background for the committee: The Manhattan Project was a top-secret research and development project during World War II that aimed to produce the world’s first nuclear weapons. Led by the United States, the project brought together scientists, engineers, and military personnel to harness nuclear fission for military purposes. The project culminated in the successful test of the atomic bomb in July 1945 and the subsequent bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, marking the beginning of the nuclear age. Your job will be to navigate this risky road while satisfying your character’s personal ambitions.
Arjun, Shrey, and I are looking forward to working with you all to make this weekend as memorable and exciting as possible. Of course, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions regarding the committee or anything else I can help you with. Best of luck, the world is depending on you!
Mudit Marwaha
Chair, The Manhattan Project
muditm@sas.upenn.edu
Dear Delegates,
Hello and welcome to the Manhattan Project at ILMUNC XLI! My name is Arjun Kumar and I am excited to be your crisis director for this historical crisis committee.
It’s said that the research and international arms race associated with the Manhattan Project irreversibly transformed the global landscape. For the U.S. and the world as a whole, this was surely one of the most significant points in the past two centuries. Developing the first nuclear bombs set the stage with the strongest international powers, killed hundreds of thousands of civilians in Japan, and began the nuclear age and Cold War between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. Imagine the drastic differences in our lives today if even the smallest occurrence happened differently. As crisis delegates, you now get to reshape this massively significant event how you see fit. Be creative in your crisis arcs and solutions; innovate ideas not dreamt of by American and European leaders a century ago; and have fun as you leave your footprints on the history of the world.
A little about me: I am a sophomore at Penn originally from Princeton, New Jersey. I’m in the college of arts and sciences and am planning to study Biochemistry. Model UN and competing in MUN conferences was a huge part of my high school experience, and crisis committees in particular a passion of mine. Nothing beats being able to take matters into your own hands with the powers of your character. I’m hoping to make this committee just as fun for all of you! Outside of ILMUNC, I work in a research laboratory at Penn and am part of the volunteer group Shelter Health Outreach Program. In my free time I like taking naps and playing the word games on New York Times!
I know that MUN can be very stressful, but it can also be extremely fun. Mudit, Shrey, and I want to make this as great an experience as possible for all delegates. Please feel free to reach out and talk about the committee, questions about Penn, or anything at all. I’m looking forward to meeting all of you in January!
Arjun Kumar
Crisis Director, Manhattan Project
arjunjun@sas.upenn.edu
