News

Solving hard problems in soft electronics

May 19, 2026

A crepe cake.That’s how Camille Cunin describes the polymer-metal “sandwiches” that became a highlight of her doctoral thesis at MIT’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE). Over close to five years, these composites were a key component of her research on bioelectronics — devices designed to interface with the human body.Cunin completed her PhD […]

“I have yet to meet a professor that cares more for their students”

May 19, 2026

Since joining the faculty of MIT’s Department of Political Science in 2012, F. Daniel Hidalgo, known to many as “Danny,” has built a reputation as both a meticulous quantitative scholar and one of the department’s most generous and steadfast mentors. A member of the 2025–27 Committed to Caring cohort, Hidalgo is recognized for a style […]

Building “hardcore” advanced machines

May 19, 2026

MIT class 2.72/2.270 (Elements of Mechanical Design) offers undergraduate and graduate students advanced study of modeling, design, and integration, along with best practices for use of machine elements like bearings, bolts, belts, flexures, and gears. “[Students] learn how to use basically everything from the MechE undergraduate curriculum to build hardcore advanced machines,” says Martin Culpepper, the […]

MIT practicum connects students with Ukrainian city leaders on economic development

May 19, 2026

MIT graduate students are working with leaders from the Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia to explore strategies for economic development, infrastructure, and innovation during wartime conditions. As part of the MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP) spring course 11.S941 (Innovating in Ukraine), DUSP hosted a delegation of five Ukrainian leaders from Vinnytsia, a city […]

Startup making reusable emergency housing wins MIT $100K competition

May 19, 2026

A startup making emergency housing cheaper and faster to deploy won this year’s MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition on May 12. Uplift Microhome is building reusable, modular housing units to provide housing on demand to people affected by natural disasters and other emergencies. Each of the company’s homes has its own batteries and water reservoir, allowing […]

2026 Institute Awards Convocation

May 11, 2026

Congratulations to the graduate awardees of the 2026 MIT Awards Convocation! These students have contributed to the MIT community in numerous and priceless ways. From the Office of Graduate Education, thanks for everything you do! View all student awardees (including undergraduates) on the Student Awards Convocation site (Touchstone authentication required).

MIT affiliates awarded 2026 Guggenheim Fellowships

May 1, 2026

MIT Research Scientist Afreen Siddiqi ’99, SM ’01, PhD ’06; MIT professors Kathleen Thelen and Vinod Vaikuntanathan SM ’05, PhD ’09; as well as Kate Manne PhD ’11 are among 223 scientists, artists, and scholars awarded 2026 fellowships from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. Working across 55 disciplines, the fellows were selected from almost 5,000 applicants […]

A month in Panama: Rethinking what real estate development can be

April 29, 2026

Cherry Tang, a master of science in real estate development student at the MIT Center for Real Estate, recently participated in an experiential learning opportunity in Panama working with Conservatorio, a development firm based in Casco Viejo. What began as a modeling exercise quickly became a deeper exploration of how development, community, and environment intersect, […]

MIT engineers’ virtual violin produces realistic sounds

April 29, 2026

There is no question that violin-making is an art form. It requires a musician’s ear, a craftsperson’s skill, and an historian’s appreciation of lessons learned over time. Making a violin also takes trust: Violin makers, or luthiers, often must wait until the instrument is finished before they can hear how all their hard work will […]

Six from MIT awarded 2026 Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans

April 28, 2026

Six MIT affiliates — Denisse Córdova Carrizales SM ’26; Ria Das ’21, MNG ’22; Ronak Desai; Stacy Godfreey-Igwe ’22; Arya Rao; and Ananthan Sadagopan ’24 — have been named 2026 P.D. Soros Fellows. In addition, P.D. Soros Fellow Avinash Vadali will begin a PhD in condensed-matter physics at MIT this fall. The fellowship provides immigrants […]