MIT Professor Susumu Tonegawa, renowned molecular biologist and Nobel laureate, dies at 86
Tonegawa made landmark discoveries about how the immune system generates antibody diversity and how the brain forms memories.
Helping AI models to meet the real world
Through research and entrepreneurship, Professor Devavrat Shah is helping to design methods that can handle constant decision-making using limited computational resources.
Arthur Bahr named head of MIT’s Literature Section
A faculty member since 2007, the scholar of medieval literature explores how different parts of physical manuscripts combine to create interest and meaning.
Ana Miljački named head of the Department of Architecture
In this leadership role, Miljački seeks to shepherd a collective commitment to transform the present into a better future.
3 Questions: Searching for new physics with “beauty” particles
Assistant Professor Eluned Smith describes how new LHC data confirm a previously observed tension with the Standard Model, plus what else will be needed to determine whether new physics is at play.
Jesse Thaler named director of the Laboratory for Nuclear Science
The professor of physics and inaugural director of the NSF AI Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Fundamental Interactions will lead LNS and continue his research in particle physics.
Lerna Ekmekcioglu named head of MIT’s History Section
A faculty member since 2011, Ekmekcioglu examines how communities survive, adapt, remember, and make claims on justice under difficult political conditions.
Building a scholarly community
The SHASS Faculty Fellows Program, administered by the MIT Human Insight Collaborative, is fostering new research projects and creating space for supportive and interdisciplinary discussion.
Boleslaw Wyslouch steps down as director of Laboratory for Nuclear Science
Wyslouch remains the director of the Bates Research and Engineering Center and will continue research on heavy ion collisions.
Two MIT faculty members named 2026 Pew Biomedical Scholars
Cell biologist Whitney Henry and immunologist Harikesh Wong will receive four years of flexible funding to advance early-career research on ferroptosis and immune decision-making.
David Autor named head of the Department of Economics
A faculty member since 1999, Autor is a leading researcher in artificial intelligence and the work of the future.
Listening for the echoes of black holes
By analyzing X-ray reverberations and other astrophysical data, Erin Kara seeks to understand the most extreme objects in the universe.
Summer 2026 recommended reading from MIT
Enjoy these recent titles from Institute faculty and staff.
MIT in the media: For the future of tech, "Massachusetts can absolutely lead"
Leaders, faculty across MIT discuss fostering innovation and talent in Greater Boston in special series of articles published alongside the outlet's annual list of 'Tech Power Players'
Susan Solomon named 2026 Tang Prize laureate
The MIT professor’s groundbreaking work on atmospheric chemistry helped lay steps towards recovery of the ozone layer and demonstrated the lasting impacts of carbon emissions on Earth’s climate.