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Vinod Vaikuntanathan is using number theory and other mathematical concepts to fortify encryption so it can be used for new applications and stand up to even the toughest adversaries.

Fortifying the future of cryptography

Vinod Vaikuntanathan aims to improve encryption in a world with growing applications and evolving adversaries.

January 16, 2019

Erik Landry (center) of MIT’s Office of the Vice President for Research spoke with British Columbia’s climate minister George Heyman (far right) at the COP24 U.N. Climate Change Conference in Katowice, Poland. Joining the conversation were (left to right): Claude Nahon of EDF, Sergey Paltsev of MIT, and Sir Philip Lowe of the World Energy Council.

“Climate change will not wait for us”

At UN Climate Change Conference, MIT researchers share knowledge and tools to help nations meet Paris Agreement targets.

December 13, 2018

In a recent Starr Forum, Sana Aiyar, an associate professor of history at MIT, explored ways in which populist nationalism has reversed the progressive and inclusive policies of post-independence India.

Populism: a case-by-case study

MIT Starr Forum panel discusses extreme forms of populism that have endangered basic civil liberties and spawned intolerant rhetoric.

November 29, 2018

Detecting dengue, Zika, and chikangunya within minutes

MIT spinoff is changing the way mosquito-borne illnesses are diagnosed and aims to influence how public health officials react to disease outbreaks.

November 21, 2018

Sarah Tress wins 2019 Rhodes Scholarship

Mechanical engineering major is among 32 winners nationwide.

November 17, 2018

MIT students who are alumni of the prestigious Intel International Science and Engineering Fair speak about the impacts the contest had on their lives. Left to right: Ruiwen "Doris" Fu, Afeefah Khazi-Syed, Madison Sneve, Syamantak Payra, Shinjini Ghosh. Harvard University Associate Professor Scott Kominers (far right), a fellow ISEF alumnus, joined.

“Science Fair:” the movie and the life changer

Students use documentary screening as a jumping off point to discuss the far-reaching impacts science fairs have had on their lives.

November 14, 2018

“Pretty much my entire family, we are entrepreneurs. ... The notion of academia was completely foreign to me growing up,” says Associate Professor Nemit Shroff.

Why private firms’ accounting disclosures help the economy grow

MIT’s Nemit Shroff studies the information that helps managers make better decisions for their companies.

November 3, 2018

Once mercury is emitted from the smokestacks of coal-fired power plants, among other sources, the gas can drift through the atmosphere for up to a year before settling into lakes and oceans.

Study: Impact of mercury-controlling policies shrinks with every five-year delay

Toxin will accumulate in the environment, particularly in remote regions, as countries delay implementing emissions controls.

November 1, 2018

The aftermath of violence

Investigating the political and economic consequences of large-scale deadly conflict, Volha Charnysh discovers that community-level interactions make a big impact.

October 24, 2018

A panel discusses Scaling Social Enterprises at the fourth annual Tata Center Symposium.

Translating research into impact

Fourth annual Tata Center Symposium highlights the need to invest in technologies for the developing world from a market-driven perspective.

October 17, 2018

Eight IdentityX Ambassadors gathered at SPXCE Intercultural Center to discuss their international experiences. Standing: David Rich, Gabrielle "Gabby" Ballard; middle row: Carrie Watkins, Luisa Fernanda Apolaya Torres, Yara Jabbour Al Maalouf; front row: Enriko Kurtz Granadoz Chavez, Trang Luu, Johnson Huynh.

Starting new conversations about identity abroad

New MISTI programs provide a platform for student dialogue on diversity in international travel, study, and work.

October 15, 2018

Based on a rigorous, integrated analysis of population and economic growth, technological change, Paris Agreement pledges and other factors, the 2018 Food, Water, Energy and Climate Outlook projects likely global and regional environmental changes over the course of this century and identifies steps needed to align near-term Paris pledges with the long-term 2 degrees Celsius and 1.5 C goals.

Charting the Earth’s future for the 21st century

MIT report highlights challenges and opportunities for conserving natural resources and stabilizing the climate.

October 11, 2018

The new faculty who will be making contributions to the School of Science are (clockwise from top left) Tristan Collins, Julien de Wit, Ila Fiete, Ankur Jain, Kiyoshi Masui, Phiala Shanahan, Nike Sun, Alison Wendlandt, Chenyang Xu, and Zhiwei Yun.

School of Science welcomes 10 professors

New faculty join the departments of Biology, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences.

September 19, 2018

Professor Shih-Ying Lee enjoyed participating in the MIT Sailing Club. This photo was taken in 1942.

Shih-Ying Lee, longtime mechanical engineering professor, inventor, and entrepreneur, dies at 100

Retired MIT professor specialized in measurement and instrumentation, held 20 patents, and launched two companies.

August 30, 2018

Learners from around the world have completed the online course Introduction to Computer Science using Python through MITx on edX.

Most popular MITx MOOC reaches 1.2 million enrollments

Since its first online offering in 2012, Introduction to Computer Science using Python from MITx has become the most popular MOOC in MIT history.