Hello to members of the EECS community near and far,
Another school year has come to an end, and, along with the sunshine and flowers, gatherings have returned to campus. Among the guests at this memorable Commencement were hundreds of graduates of the classes of 2020 and 2021, returning to enjoy the in-person celebrations which COVID had denied them in years prior.
It was so meaningful for me to see our graduates’ smiling faces in person–to wish them well with a hug, a high five, and a long conversation unimpeded by the tiny, cramped Zoom window in which we’ve spent the last two years.
It will take time for us to fully grow into this newly open world, to rekindle our connections and become reacquainted with each other. This newsletter is meant to do just that. It’s so good to talk with you again. Welcome back to MIT.
–Asu Ozdaglar, Department Head, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
MathWorks Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Deputy Dean of Academics, MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing
Feature Story
Popular new major blends technical skills and human-centered applications
Combining computer science, data science, and economics, Course 6-14 prepares students to address thorny quandaries in many fields.
Education Initiatives
A new resource for teaching responsible technology development
The Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing publishes a collection of original pedagogical materials developed for instructional use on MIT OpenCourseWare.
QS World University Rankings rates MIT No. 1 in 12 subjects for 2022
The Institute received a No. 1 ranking in the following QS subject areas: Architecture/Built Environment; Chemistry; Computer Science and Information Systems; Chemical Engineering; Civil and Structural Engineering; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Materials Science; Mechanical, Aeronautical, and Manufacturing Engineering; Linguistics; Mathematics; Physics and Astronomy; and Statistics and Operational Research.
Departmental News
Course Six’s Secret Superheroes: EECS and the lecturer track
The lecturer track promotes student outcomes and educational innovation above all, making it an appealing path for educators interested in influencing the next generation of computer scientists, electrical engineers, and AI scholars.
Reasserting U.S. leadership in microelectronics
MIT researchers lay out a strategy for how universities can help the U.S. regain its place as a semiconductor superpower.
Research
Researchers develop a paper-thin loudspeaker
The flexible, thin-film device has the potential to make any surface into a low-power, high-quality audio source.
System helps severely motor-impaired individuals type more quickly and accurately
For individuals who communicate using a single switch, a new interface learns how they make selections, and then self-adjusts accordingly.
Faculty Spotlight
Dan Huttenlocher ponders our human future in an age of artificial intelligence
What does it mean to be human in an age where artificial intelligence agents make decisions that shape human actions?
Devavrat Shah appointed faculty director of the Deshpande Center
In his new role, Shah will help students and faculty bring innovative technologies from the lab to the marketplace.
Go Deeper
The Millionth Algorithm: the runaway success of a foundational textbook
Lauded for its clarity, Introduction To Algorithms is premised on a “start from fundamentals” approach that welcomes students of many backgrounds and learning styles, regardless of their familiarity with advanced mathematics.
Career panel – “Oh, the things you’ll do! (with a PhD)”
EECS Thriving Stars hosted a panel of highly accomplished women who shared candid stories and valuable advice, inspiring attendees to pursue graduate school and make a difference in the world.
Faculty Awards
Three from MIT elected to the National Academy of Sciences for 2022
Faculty members Angela Belcher, Pablo Jarillo-Herrero, and Ronitt Rubinfeld were elected by their peers for outstanding contributions to research.
Vaikuntanathan wins Godel prize for homomorphic encryption research
The prize is given annually to outstanding papers in theoretical computer science.
Student Awards & Spotlights
Living better with algorithms
Graduate student Sarah Cen explores the interplay between humans and artificial intelligence systems, to help build accountability and trust.
Merging design, tech, and cognitive science
Senior Ibuki Iwasaki seeks creative ways to design technology that considers the human user.
Alumni in Action
Tech Reflection: Building 36, 1991
“The photo was taken in the lab, which was on one of the upper floors of Building 36. We were presenting our final project, ‘The Star-Spangled Sing-a-Long’…. “
More Than 7,900 Alumni and Friends Give During 2022 MIT 24-Hour Challenge
Throughout the day, all the 40 microchallenges held by MIT departments and groups either met or exceeded their individual goals.
Q & A
Q&A: Climate Grand Challenges finalists on building equity and fairness into climate solutions
Faculty leaders discuss the opportunities and obstacles in developing, scaling, and implementing their work rapidly.
3 Questions: How the MIT mini cheetah learns to run
CSAIL scientists came up with a learning pipeline for the four-legged robot that learns to run entirely by trial and error in simulation.
Farewell
Joel Moses, Institute Professor Emeritus and computer science trailblazer, dies at 80
Known as a visionary who brought together faculty from across MIT, Moses pioneered an influential symbolic mathematics program and held many top leadership posts.
Markus Zahn, admired teacher and mentor in electromagnetic field interactions, dies at 75.
A member of the Laboratory for Electromagnetic and Electronic Systems and the High Voltage Research Laboratory, Zahn conducted research on electromagnetic field interactions with materials and devices.
