Haruko Murakami Wainwright

Professor Wainwright’s leadership statement

“I believe in intellectual diversity. Some people excel at solving challenging mathematical problems, while others are skilled at making sense of complex chemical or biological systems. Some thrive in coding, while others shine at building instruments or experimental platforms. Some are quick learners who grasp key ideas across many areas, while others are deep thinkers who push the boundaries within a focused domain. All of these traits—and, importantly, their combinations—are essential for advancing science and building a better society.

During my 12 years at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where the concept of “team science” started, I experienced firsthand how diverse talents working together can create a kind of scientific “magic,” producing not only stronger outcomes but also a deeply enjoyable research environment.

Guided by this perspective, I encourage students to explore their own directions and take ownership of their research. The most meaningful progress often happens when they find areas in which they both excel and feel genuine passion. At the same time, growth requires confronting and addressing weaknesses. I encourage students to actively work on their pain points and expand beyond their comfort zones. In particular, for MIT students, I believe it is important to develop deep expertise in at least one technical area while also cultivating broad, multidisciplinary insight.”