Professor Emeritus Rainer Weiss, influential physicist who forged new paths to understanding the universe, dies at 92
The longtime MIT professor shared a Nobel Prize for his role in developing the LIGO observatory and detecting gravitational waves.
Professor John Joannopoulos, photonics pioneer and Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies director, dies at 78
Over 50 years at MIT, the condensed-matter physicist led the development of photonic crystals, translating discoveries into wide-ranging applications in energy, medicine, and defense.
Harvey Kent Bowen, ceramics scholar and MIT Leaders for Global Operations co-founder, dies at 83
Bowen’s innovative work helped transform ceramics and manufacturing education at MIT and beyond.
Professor Emeritus Peter Temin, influential and prolific economic historian, dies at 87
The longtime MIT scholar and former department head used the tools of economics to shed new light on historical events and their profound implications for today’s society.
Professor Emeritus Keith Johnson, pioneering theorist in materials science and independent filmmaker, dies at 89
Longtime MIT solid-state physicist brought theoretical insights to an experiment-driven discipline — and later, to film.
Victor McElheny, founding director of MIT’s Knight Science Journalism Program, dies at 89
The pioneering journalist and author was a steadfast champion of science journalism and its global community of practitioners.
Professor Emeritus Daniel Kleppner, highly influential atomic physicist, dies at 92
The “godfather of Bose-Einstein condensation” and MIT faculty member for 37 years led research into atomic, molecular, and optical physics that led to GPS and quantum computing.
Professor Emeritus Barry Vercoe, a pioneering force in computer music, dies at 87
Widely known for his Synthetic Performer, Csound language, and work on the MPEG-4 audio standard, Vercoe positioned MIT as a hub for music technology through leadership roles with the Media Lab and Music and Theater Arts Section.
Professor Emeritus Stanley Fischer, a towering figure in academic macroeconomics and global economic policymaking, dies at 81
Influential MIT economist and former vice chair of the US Federal Reserve inspired generations of students and helped shape modern macroeconomics.
Remembering Juanita Battle: “Everything about her was just happy”
MIT Health mourns the loss of the student health plan research and resolution specialist.
Professor Emeritus Frederick Greene, influential chemist who focused on free radicals, dies at 97
The physical organic chemist and MIT professor for over 40 years is celebrated for his lasting impact on generations of chemists.
Professor Emeritus Earle Lomon, nuclear theorist, dies at 94
On the physics faculty for nearly 40 years and a member of the Center for Theoretical Physics, he focused on the interactions of hadrons and developed an R-matrix formulation of scattering theory.
Professor Emeritus Lee Grodzins, pioneer in nuclear physics, dies at 98
An MIT faculty member for 40 years, Grodzins performed groundbreaking studies of the weak interaction, led in detection technology, and co-founded the Union of Concerned Scientists.
David Schmittlein, influential dean who brought MIT Sloan into its own, dies at 69
In his 17 years as dean, Schmittlein led the transformation of MIT Sloan into a management school uniquely positioned for the future and “the best version of its distinctive self.”
Professor Anthony Sinskey, biologist, inventor, entrepreneur, and Center for Biomedical Innovation co-founder, dies at 84
Colleagues remember the longtime MIT professor as a supportive, energetic collaborator who seemed to know everyone at the Institute.