Cambridge, Boston and region

At the 18^th annual Cambridge Science Carnival, attendees were able to visit a Robot Petting Zoo, find DNA in a strawberry, explore how satellites work, and discover how to give trash a second life, reports Kyle Bray for WBZ NewsRadio. “Sometimes people think that science is very removed and abstract and hidden behind closed doors of labs. At an event like this, you can see actually the human face of science; these are people like you and me, they may well be your neighbors, and they are making discoveries that can benefit people across the world,” explains MIT Museum Director Michael John Gorman. 

The MIT Museum will kickstart their “Time Travel on Screen” movie screening series on September 26 with an outdoor showing of the 1979 sci-fi film, “Time After Time,” reports Ryan Yau for The Boston Globe. 

Boston Business Journal reporter Grant Welker spotlights Biogen's groundbreaking ceremony for its new headquarters in MIT’s Kendall Common development. "This area is the most perfect place to do it, because you have some of the highest levels of ingenuity, innovation and energy around the biotech industry, and not to mention partnerships with academic excellence," said Nicole Murphy, Biogen’s executive vice president for pharmaceutical operations and technology." It was absolutely critical to why we feel we want to be here."

Earlier this week, Biogen celebrated the groundbreaking for the company’s new headquarters in MIT’s Kendall Common development, reports Catherine Carlock for The Boston Globe. “When a company as influential as Biogen breaks ground on the new global headquarters, it is an unmistakable vote of confidence — confidence in Massachusetts, confidence in Cambridge, and confidence in Kendall Square, and confidence in the future," said MIT President Sally Kornbluth. “It is on us, on us in Massachusetts, to find new ways to make sure this amazing ecosystem can maintain its record of trailblazing science and transformative treatments and cures.”

WBUR’s Lloyd Schwartz spotlights a forthcoming performance of Errollyn Wallen’s “Dido’s Ghost,” by the MIT Chamber Chorus and other musicians at MIT’s Thomas Tull Concert Hall Oct. 18 and 19. 

The Cambridge Science Carnival, founded by the MIT Museum, will take place on September 21, 2025, in the Kendall/MIT Open Space, reports The Boston Globe. The event features “more than 100 booths with science and art based activities and demonstrations,” writes The Boston Globe. From a STEAM-themed playground to “live, interactive music from the MIT physics departments,” kids are welcome to play, learn and enjoy. 

Prof. Thomas Kochan speaks with GBH reporter Craig LeMoult about the recent Market Basket’s leadership dispute. “The reality is Market Basket is a community asset,” says Kochan. “People value it because it provides good service, good prices, good jobs. And the public is hungry for a company like that. And they demonstrated that in 2014 when the first episode occurred and everyone rallied around the employees who rallied their CEO.” 

Prof. Christopher Knittel speaks with WBUR reporter Miriam Wasser about the decision to build a new natural gas pipeline in New England. "A new pipeline would allow more natural gas to reach us in periods when we really need it," says Knittel. "So that's where the big savings would be."

With a time of 1 hour, 52 minutes, and 20 seconds, Milo Knowles '19, SM '20 was awarded first place in the Olympic distance elite division at the 2025 Boston Triathlon, reports Emma Healy for The Boston Globe. 

Prof. Carlo Ratti speaks with The Boston Globe columnist Jason Schwartz about how a proposed seven-story office building behind Fenway Park could make the beloved Green Monster wall appear a bit less monstrous. “The wall has always felt monumental not just because of its size, but because it stood against an open sky,” says Ratti. “When the backdrop becomes a building, the view compresses, and the Monster might lose some of its presence.”  

Writing for GBH, graduate students and alumni Jessica Chomik-Morales, Sarah Akaaboune, Mackenzie White '25, Celina Zhao '24, SM '25, spotlight the Dana-Farber mobile Mammogram Van. “The unit meets women where they live and work, offering care in the languages they speak,” they write. “By bringing screenings to neighborhoods with large Asian and other minority populations, the van shows how community-based, culturally responsive care can reduce disparities and improve access to critical health resources.” 

Chronicle spotlights Miguel Rosales SM '87 and his work developing over 12 bridges in Boston, including the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge. “Boston is my city,” says Rosales. “I’ve been here over 40 years. How these bridges have changed so many parts of the city… that is very important in my life.” 

Writing for The Boston Herald, President Emeritus L. Rafael Reif and Alan M. Leventhal, founder of Beacon Capital Partners, underscore the importance of protecting Massachusetts’ research infrastructure, noting that the state’s life sciences sector alone supports 143,000 jobs. “It is imperative that we act now to preserve the research infrastructure that Massachusetts has built so carefully over the last decades. This is the time for the Commonwealth’s leadership in government, academia, business, and philanthropy to join forces and take bold action,” they write. “Decisive action will enable us to preserve our world-leading research infrastructure and protect the economic health of our Commonwealth for the benefit of all our citizens.” 

Graduate students Anika Jane Beamer, Nanticha Ocharoenchai, Pratik Pawar and Paulina Rowińska write for GBH to highlight health care deserts in the Boston area. “There are no hospitals or emergency care facilities in Mattapan,” they write. “With the closure of Carney Hospital, the nearest emergency room is at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital, over three miles away. Getting there can be difficult.” 

MIT Open Space will host The Modular Troupe, an “artist collective that will be bringing live hip-hop and R&B sounds,” to the area on Wednesday, May 14, reports Marianna Orozco for The Boston Globe. “In collaboration with the Cambridge Hip Hop Collective, the Midday Music event will turn lunch hour into a dance party with high-energy performances and on-site food trucks selling local eats,” explains Orozco.