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 […]
Ezra Glenn
Ezra Haber Glenn demonstrates an “outstanding example of commitment to student learning and growth through care and attention.” As a nominator testified, “He asks me genuinely how I am doing, and that can make all the difference.” Ezra is “incredibly supportive,” making his commitment to caring for students a priority by creating time to give […]
Amy Glasmeier
Professor Amy Glasmeier is a truly caring person, which has been demonstrated through both her life’s work and her impact on those she has mentored. Her students describe her as a reliable touchstone in their lives, frequently checking in on their personal and emotional well being, taking them out to lunch or coffee to catch […]
Ahmed Ghoniem
Ahmed Ghoniem is revered among his students for his understanding nature and support of their development as individuals. Ahmed encourages his students to develop their own ideas and pursue their own research interests. He gives his students “freedom to chart their own courses in grad school and develop into well-rounded researchers, as a result.” This […]
Anna Frebel
Frebel says that “it is a gift to be able to tell, especially younger women, You can do it—I believe in you and your ideas.” As a tenured woman professor and single mother of two young children, Anna Frebel feels she is a de facto role model for others. Frebel joined the MIT physics faculty in 2012 as Assistant […]
Cathy Drennan
Cathy Drennan is a “brilliant scientist, engaging teacher, dedicated mentor, and fierce advocate,” according to her advisees. Students eagerly share exciting, early experimental results with Drennan, finding her enthusiasm “infectious.” Drennan has been a professor at MIT since 1999. She started in the Department of Chemistry and has since also joined the Department of Biology. […]
Janet Conrad
Janet Conrad stands out among MIT Physics professors, not only as a woman in a largely male dominated field, but also because she makes teaching the general public about the wonders of physics a top priority. Her résumé of outreach events is truly exceptional. Janet’s ability to stimulate enthusiasm in everyone around her, from high […]
Gang Chen
Professor Gang Chen’s dedication to his students leads him to be a mentor, a role model, and a resource of support to many. One of his nominators describes, “Professor Chen is the hardest working person I know, and the majority of his time is spent developing those around him.” The nominator describes how Prof. Chen […]
Paola Cappellaro
Quantum scientist Paola Cappellaro works to ensure students are at their “best state, and moving towards one better,” according to student nominators. Cappellaro effectively navigates the balance between attending closely to students’ needs while also giving them space to explore. Paola Cappellaro is a Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering. She leads the Quantum Engineering […]
Gabriella Carolini
One student extols Gabriella Carolini as “the single most defining influence in my MIT experience to date.” This sentiment is far from an outlier. Associate Professor in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP), Carolini’s research focuses on the planning, implementation, and administration of infrastructure systems in vulnerable urban and peri-urban communities. Her work, […]
Kerri Cahoy
Kerri Cahoy offers compassion and fierce support for her graduate advisees. Cahoy is an associate professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, with a joint appointment in the Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences Department. She leads the Space Telecommunications, Astronomy, and Radiation (STAR) Laboratory. The STAR lab develops satellite instruments and technologies for applications such as observing […]
Cullen Buie
“I heard a quote once that ‘the best ability is availability’,” says Professor Cullen Buie, “and I’m constantly trying to figure out how to be more available for the people I mentor.” For this outlook and many other reasons, Buie has been awarded the Committed to Caring (C2C) Award. Although mentoring seems to come naturally […]
Ed Bertschinger
Ed Bertschinger is a student advocate who truly cares. During his appointment as Physics Department Head, he worked tirelessly to increase diversity and build an environment of respect and support. Ed was active in helping to increase the number of students from underrepresented minorities who received Physics PhDs from 0% in 2007 to 11% in […]
Kristin Bergmann
“Cool, collected, and compassionate,” according to a student nominator, Professor Kristin Bergmann uplifts the students in her lab and beyond. Professor Bergmann holds the D. Reid (1941) and Barbara J. Weedon Career Development chair in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences. A graduate of Carleton College, Bergmann later taught middle school earth and […]
John Belcher
Professor John Belcher is serious about mental health. Very open about his own battle with clinical depression, he is able to speak from experience when relating to students under stress. One of his aims as the current Associate Chair of the MIT Faculty is to help decrease the stigma associated with mental health treatment. Inspired […]
