Lily Tsai
A “wise and perceptive mentor,” Lily Tsai attends closely to her advisees’ wellbeing and intellectual growth, according to student nominators. Lily Tsai is the Ford Professor of Political Science as well as the founder and faculty director of the MIT Governance Lab, a group of political scientists working collaboratively with practitioners on research and innovation […]
David Trumper
David Trumper is a reliable guide for his students, one of whom says “He always encourages us to do what we are passionate about and supports us in any way he can.” As Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Trumper’s research investigates the design of precision mechatronic systems, magnetic levitation for nanometer-scale motion control, and novel actuation […]
Larry Susskind
In half a century of teaching and mentoring, Professor Larry Susskind has sometimes advised the children of his former students. Susskind is the Ford Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning. His research focuses on the theory and practice of negotiation and dispute resolution, particularly as it pertains to cybersecurity for urban infrastructure, land claims of […]
Justin Steil
“Advising, mentoring, and generally talking with students is my favorite part of a job that I love,” says Justin Steil, Assistant Professor of Law and Urban Planning in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP). “I feel lucky to learn constantly from students and am eager to support their growth as researchers and as […]
Gigliola Staffilani
Offering mentorship and advocacy to ensure her students have a smooth and enjoyable graduate experience matters deeply to Professor Gigliola Staffilani. Staffilani is the Abby Rockefeller Mauze Professor of Mathematics at MIT. Staffilani has previously held positions at Princeton, Stanford, and Brown, with tenure at the latter two. Staffilani is a mathematical analyst; her research […]
Frank Solomon
Professor Frank Solomon is a human being who cares about and respects students. He truly listens, and he understands. For these reasons, when someone in Course 7 is having trouble, be it academic, professional, or personal, they are advised to “go talk to Frank.” One such student recalls, “That single conversation was more helpful to […]
Kord Smith
Professor Kord Smith, in the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, has fostered an open, encouraging environment with his students. Though at the top of his field and chief scientist for the Center for Exascale Simulation of Advanced Reactors (CESAR), Kord is exceedingly generous with his time and manages to help students of various backgrounds […]
Alex Slocum
Professor Alex Slocum understands that a healthy student makes a more successful student. His graduate student nominators say that even more than working hard to discover “what makes each student ‘tick’,” and designing research projects that excite them, Alex encourages his students to maintain their physical and mental health. This might take the form of […]
Susan Silbey
Professor Susan Silbey’s genuine interest in her students’ professional and personal well-being makes a deep impression. She takes a proactive role in helping her students think through the type of research they pursue, and also the kind of scholar they wish to become. One nominator recalls how Silbey sat for two hours on a weekend, […]
Hadley Sikes
Professor Hadley D. Sikes is more than just an academic advisor to her graduate students She is a role model, a friend, and a sage mentor. One of her former students writes, “[Sikes] completely supported me as a person holistically, and allowed me to become the type of scientist and person that… I really wanted […]
Matthew Shoulders
Upon hearing that Matthew Shoulders had been honored with the Committed to Caring (C2C) Award, his entire lab turned up to congratulate him. Each student, one by one walked into Shoulders’ office, shook his hand, and enthusiastically offered their praise. The Whitehead Career Development Associate Professor in Chemistry, Shoulders has earned the warm regard of […]
Julie Shah
Professor Julie Shah is a stabilizing force for her graduate students starting from the first day of their program and continuing well after graduation. “Somehow, after one of the most trying weeks in my graduate career,” one student recalls, “I came out of a conversation with Julie with a new excitement about research and about […]
Warren Seering
Exuding integrity and decency, Warren Seering empowers advisees to become fully realized scholars. Seering “makes it clear that his commitment to anyone working with him is equal,” according to a student nominator. Warren Seering is the Weber/Shaughness Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Systems at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His work at MIT has […]
Rebecca Saxe
Professor Rebecca Saxe believes science is both a pleasure and a privilege. “We get to spend our time pursuing hard elusive ideas because of our own profound curiosity,” she muses. “And it is possible for that pursuit to be intrinsically motivating and satisfying.” This approach has informed her excellent mentorship practices in MIT’s Brain and […]
Brent Ryan
Professor Brent Ryan’s passionate engagement in urban design and public policy is contagious. Embracing the challenge of preparing students to write their City Design and Development theses, Prof. Ryan became known the thesis prep class as “a rigorous, yet approachable” professor whose genuine care for student well-being makes an impact, both academically and personally. The […]
Agustin Rayo
“He’ll always take time out of his schedule to help,” Agustin Rayo’s students say, “whether with diversity and inclusion issues, mental health concerns, or just regular academic needs.” They are thankful for his attention and availability despite his wide array of responsibilities on campus. For these efforts, he has been honored as ‘Committed to Caring.’ […]
Heather Paxson
Professor Heather Paxson’s supportive and caring attention has helped her advisees to succeed. One of her nominators says, “Doing a PhD can be a challenging and arduous endeavor. Heather Paxson goes out of her way to make sure we are all doing well academically and personally.” Heather always makes the time to meet with her […]
Neri Oxman
As described by one student, Professor Neri Oxman is “a caring advisor, compassionate friend, and inspiring person.” When talking with Neri’s students, it quickly becomes apparent that the impact of Neri’s mentorship is real and powerful. One student describes, “I want to fully express how apparent and important her impact has been on me as […]
Bradley Olsen
Bradley Olsen motivates his students to work diligently and aim for high-quality results and in the words of one student, “he also cares for our wellbeing.” Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Olsen earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from MIT and his PhD in Chemical Engineering from University of California-Berkeley. Before returning […]
Susan Murcott
Susan Murcott’s “passion, love, and dedication to teaching” and learning encourages her students not only to explore problems, but in their words, “carve our own path toward a solution.” A lecturer in MIT’s D-Lab, Murcott has been honored by MIT graduate students as Committed to Caring. Murcott’s work contributes to the D-lab’s mission of designing […]
Eytan Modiano
“From the moment I start working with a new student, I try to understand what their goals are,” says Professor Eytan Modiano. “This helps me guide their research, and also mentor them toward their goals.” Modiano is Associate Director of the Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems (LIDS). His work addresses communication networks and protocols […]
Anna Mikusheva
As a role model, Anna Mikusheva is of “paramount” importance, according to one student nominator. She steadfastly guides students in developing their research capabilities and launching their careers. Anna Mikusheva is an Associate Professor of Economics. Mikusheva is an econometrician: her research focuses on improving the reliability of estimation techniques that economists use. In particular, […]
John Lienhard
Professor John Lienhard makes the members of his lab feel secure in their positions–and they are happier for it, according to his graduate students. During his time at MIT, Lienhard has supervised more than 85 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. As a result of his exceptional efforts as a […]
Ju Li
Professor Ju Li is admired by his students not only for his outstanding scholarship, but also for his “fine character and deep commitment to the well-being of his students,” one nominator articulated. As the Battelle Energy Alliance Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering and Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT, Li’s research focuses […]
Gene-Wei Li
“Metaphorically an endlessly deep vessel,” according to a student nominator, Gene-Wei Li “nurture[s] everyone around him both in scien[ce] and, more importantly, personal development.” Gene-Wei Li is an Associate Professor of Biology. He joined the MIT faculty in 2015, after completing a Ph.D. at Harvard and a postdoc at University of California San Francisco. A […]
Harry Lee
Professor Hae-Seung “Harry” Lee’s students are grateful for his dedication to the academic triad of research, teaching, and service, in particular his dedication to mentorship. “He takes care of students from his heart,” said his nominator. Lee’s careful attention to student work and projects makes itself felt at every meeting, and in each detailed review of […]
Jesse Kroll
The Kroll lab has a gleeful, creative dynamic. While students give credit to Jesse Kroll for building camaraderie and a supportive setting, Kroll instead credits and praises his advisees. Jesse Kroll is an associate professor in MIT’s Departments of Chemical Engineering and Civil and Environmental Engineering. He joined the MIT faculty in 2009 after completing […]
Leslie Kolodziejski
Professor Leslie Kolodziejski has talked about supervising and supporting graduate students as the highlight of her professional career. Her nominator relates Leslie’s “honest interest and support” in such situations as a student’s loss of her father, and the Qualifying Exam of another student gone “crazily rogue.” When the nominator was having issues with an advisor, […]
Tom Kochan
Known for his scholarship and activism at MIT’s Sloan School of Management, Tom Kochan is also lauded by students for his caring mentorship. In a C2C nomination letter, one student cites Kochan as “a model for the type of scholar, teacher, and mentor I would like to someday be.” Kochan is the George Maverick Bunker […]
Erin Kelly
In her students’ estimation, Professor Erin Kelly rises to the level of exceptional mentorship by channeling her expertise in Work and Organization Studies to the benefit of her advisees. As the Sloan Distinguished Professor of Work and Organization Studies, Kelly creates open and candid relationships with her students, providing them with the means and confidence […]
Kate Kellogg
Professor Katherine ‘Kate’ Kellogg goes above and beyond to provide both professional and personal guidance to help her students find their own path forward. Kate “is always generous with her time” answering student questions about research, guiding students through the committee selection and review process, or providing edits on papers. Her mentees feel like Kate […]
Caroline Jones
Tirelessly, Professor Caroline Jones advocates for her students and helps them build thoughtful dissertations. Caroline Jones is a professor in the History, Theory, Criticism (HTC) section of MIT’s Department of Architecture. Jones studies modern and contemporary art, focusing on its technological modes of production, distribution, and reception. Before completing her Ph.D. at Stanford University, Jones […]
Tim Jamison
In an extremely focused research environment like MIT, it is easy to prioritize output over people. Professor Tim Jamison manages to elevate both. While he ensures his graduate students possess the skills they need to be well-rounded chemists, he also gives them the chance to give practice talks, critique each other’s work, and compete in […]
Colette Heald
Mentees consider Colette Heald “inspirational” as both a science communicator and an advisor. Colette Heald is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering as well as a Professor of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences. Through her research, Heald investigates global atmospheric composition and chemistry, focusing on how this impacts air quality, climate, […]
Wesley Harris
Professor Wesley Harris looks out for his students whether their struggles are research related or personal. “Anytime I come across [Harris] in the hallway,” one student nominator writes, “I know I can always speak my mind and …get some insightful guidance and unwavering support back.” Wesley L. Harris is the C.S. Draper Professor of Aeronautics […]
Paula Hammond
Paula Hammond excels at actively listening to her students, helping her students move successfully through their programs, and improving departmental systems to encourage diversity and inclusion. Hammond is Department Head of Chemical Engineering and the David H. Koch (1962) Professor in Engineering at MIT. The Hammond Research Group at the MIT Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer […]
