Jobaaj Stories
Former MIT Athlete Karenna Groff Dies in Plane Crash Alongside Family
Karenna Groff, a rising star in both academics and athletics, tragically lost her life in a private plane crash on Saturday in Copake, New York. The 25-year-old was traveling with her parents and boyfriend when their aircraft went down roughly 30 miles from their intended destination.
Also killed in the crash were Dr. Michael Groff, a noted neuroscientist and Karenna’s father, her mother Dr. Joy Saini, a practicing urogynecologist, and her boyfriend James Santoro, a fellow MIT graduate.
The family was on board a privately owned Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft, headed to Columbia County Airport in Hudson for a family gathering, according to James Santoro’s father, John Santoro, who confirmed the incident to the Associated Press. The group was later expected to attend a birthday celebration.
Who Was Karenna Groff?
Karenna hailed from Weston, Massachusetts, and graduated from Weston High School in 2018. She continued her education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she earned her bachelor's degree in biological engineering in 2022, followed by a master’s in biomedical engineering.
Groff was more than just a top student—she was also a standout athlete. As a leader on the MIT women’s soccer team, she served as captain for two seasons, achieved All-American honors, and helped lead her team to multiple NCAA tournament runs and conference titles.
Her achievements extended off the field. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Karenna co-founded openPPE, an initiative focused on producing and distributing personal protective equipment. In recognition of her exceptional contributions to academics, sports, and service, she was honored as the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year.
At the time of the accident, she was enrolled in the accelerated MD program at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, with hopes of becoming a neurosurgeon.
Loved Ones Remember a Bright Future Cut Short
In a statement, John Santoro, James' father, expressed deep sorrow.
“They were a wonderful family… The world lost a lot of very good people who were going to do a lot of good for the world if they had the opportunity.”
Speaking about his son, he added,
“The 25 years we had with James were the best years of our lives, and the joy and love he brought us will be enough to last a lifetime.”
