MIT News May 31, 2023 Driven to driverless Cindy Alejandra Heredia’s journey from Laredo, Texas, took her to leading the MIT autonomous vehicle team and to an MBA from MIT Sloan. May 19, 2023 First-of-its-kind Indigenous immersive incubator gathers on MIT campus Over the course of four days, Indigenous delegates collaborated on immersive technology with MIT community members. May 11, 2023 Laying the foundation to diversify the economics field and center racial equity in economics research J-PAL North America is developing a strategic vision — informed by a new racial equity advisory committee — to advance inclusion, prioritize racial equity in research, and promote equitable and inclusive research practices in its network. May 09, 2023 3 Questions: Per Urlaub on MIT Global Languages Urlaub discusses the growing popularity of language programs at the Institute. May 09, 2023 Seychelle Vos and Hernandez Moura Silva named HHMI Freeman Hrabowski Scholars The program supports early-career faculty who have strong potential to become leaders in their fields and to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. May 09, 2023 Podcast: Curiosity Unbounded, Episode 2 — Bureaucracies, dictatorships, and the power of Africa’s people President Sally Kornbluth talks with Associate Professor Mai Hassan about public administration in Africa and how people mobilize against repressive regimes. May 08, 2023 MIT HUMANS project breaks down borders, empowering global voices to reach for the stars The HUMANS nanowafer, an MIT Space Exploration Initiative student-led project, will travel to the ISS this month, and later to the moon, carrying messages in more than 64 languages from over 80 countries. May 01, 2023 The measuring tape heard round the world Professor Emerita Nancy Hopkins and journalist Kate Zernike discuss the past, present, and future of women at MIT and beyond. Apr 13, 2023 “A family like no other” Now in its sixth year, The Standard provides the tools, support, and camaraderie for undergraduate men of color to thrive at MIT — and beyond. Apr 12, 2023 Understanding our place in the universe Martin Luther King Jr. Scholar Brian Nord trains machines to explore the cosmos and fights for equity in research. Mar 27, 2023 A portfolio that’s out of this world Following an influential career at NASA, Ezinne Uzo-Okoro SM ’20, PhD ’22 now shapes space policy as a top White House advisor. Mar 24, 2023 MIT inaugurates “Dialogues Across Difference” series Featuring philosopher John Tomasi, a lecture and conversation event launches a set of community gatherings. Mar 23, 2023 New African and African diaspora studies major takes off at MIT The major invites students to explore the riches of culture, innovation, thought leadership, and beauty that originate in the continent of Africa and its many diasporas. Mar 15, 2023 3 Questions: John Dozier on Dialogues Across Difference A new campus series intends to inspire conversation about building community across the Institute. Mar 09, 2023 Pilot, engineer, neuroscientist, bridge-builder How Elissa Gibson ’22 connected the dots to form her own unique constellation of MIT experiences. Mar 07, 2023 MIT Cheney Room reopens with fresh and enhanced programming Historically women-oriented space welcomes more community members, focusing on women and gender. Mar 06, 2023 Daniel Hastings named American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics president-elect Head of MIT AeroAstro will assume the presidency in 2024 as the organization’s first Black president. Mar 03, 2023 MIT Press announces inaugural recipients of the Grant Program for Diverse Voices The grants expand funding for authors whose work brings diverse and chronically underrepresented perspectives to scholarship in the arts, humanities, and sciences. Mar 01, 2023 3 Questions: Daniel Auguste on why “successful entrepreneurs don’t fall from the sky” The MLK Visiting Professor studies the ways innovators are influenced by their communities. Feb 26, 2023 Illuminating the successes and struggles of MIT Black history The MIT Black History Project is documenting 150+ years of the Black experience at the Institute and beyond. Feb 24, 2023 3 Questions: The power of music in advancing social justice Frederick Harris Jr., MIT senior lecturer and creator of the It Must Be Now! initiative, reflects on music’s historic role in addressing racial issues. Feb 09, 2023 Angela Davis: “We need to renew our commitments to struggle against racism” Keynote speaker at MIT’s annual luncheon honoring Martin Luther King Jr. delivers powerful message about the need for change. Jan 27, 2023 Exploring the rich traditions of Brazilian music Students studying the Portuguese language pair with musicians for special event at Lewis Library. Jan 26, 2023 “This is the type of life that I want” Poet, student advocate, and math/physics double-major Catherine Ji is living boldly at MIT. Jan 24, 2023 Matthew Notowidigdo appointed co-scientific director of J-PAL North America Notowidigdo will guide J-PAL North America in developing rigorous research on economic mobility and advise the creation of a racial equity research agenda. Jan 19, 2023 3 Questions: Sulafa Zidani on tech, culture, and a critical transnational perspective The media scholar speaks on her research and her experience at MIT. Jan 18, 2023 Gaining real-world industry experience through Break Through Tech AI at MIT A new experiential learning opportunity challenges undergraduates across the Greater Boston area to apply their AI skills to a range of industry projects. Jan 11, 2023 Looking to the past to prepare for an uncertain future Using sand and rock, MIT senior Aviva Intveld tells stories of ancient climates. Jan 09, 2023 Brandon Ogbunu is a radical collaborator MLK Visiting Professor tries to “maximize connection time” while studying protein evolution. Jan 05, 2023 Simulating discrimination in virtual reality The role-playing game “On the Plane” simulates xenophobia to foster greater understanding and reflection via virtual experiences. Dec 23, 2022 MIT community in 2022: A year in review Top Institute stories dealt with a presidential transition; Climate Grand Challenges; an action plan for belonging, achievement, and composition; the MIT Morningside Academy for Design; “Wakanda Forever” at MIT; and more. Dec 23, 2022 MIT’s departments, labs, and centers celebrate the holidays Across the Institute, MIT’s communities took part in light-hearted traditions new and old. Dec 15, 2022 School of Engineering unveils MIT Postdoctoral Fellowship Program for Engineering Excellence With the selection of 16 inaugural postdocs, the program seeks to develop the next generation of faculty leaders and help guide the school toward a more diverse and inclusive culture. Dec 13, 2022 Reframing the first-generation academic experience First-gen MIT graduate students are claiming their identity, forming community, and holding space for one another. Dec 09, 2022 Meet the 2022-23 Accenture Fellows This year's fellows will work across research areas including telemonitoring, human-computer interactions, operations research, AI-mediated socialization, and chemical transformations. Dec 07, 2022 Holding space for tough topics Michael Birnbaum has been recognized as Committed to Caring for his wide-reaching support of students and his departmental leadership. Nov 30, 2022 Looking beyond “technology for technology’s sake” Whether building robots or helping to lead the National Society of Black Engineers, senior Austen Roberson is thinking about the social implications of his field. Nov 29, 2022 Lessons in innovation based on values of the Cherokee Nation At an MIT event, speakers profiled four Cherokee innovators and traced their success back to the communal and egalitarian culture they came from. Nov 28, 2022 Celebrating “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” at MIT During a special screening of the latest Marvel Studios production, students shared their enthusiasm at seeing MIT on the big screen. Nov 21, 2022 Celebrating diversity in student cultural and linguistic backgrounds at MIT Some 70 students enjoy "Heritage Meets Heritage" event. Nov 21, 2022 Machinery of the state Associate Professor Mai Hassan documents bureaucratic systems in Eastern Africa set up for coercion, as well as roadblocks to democratic government. Nov 18, 2022 Uncovering the rich connections between South Asia and MIT Showcased in a new exhibit, student research explores the long history of South Asians at the Institute. Nov 15, 2022 Nonabah Lane, Navajo educator and environmental sustainability specialist with numerous ties to MIT, dies at 46 Lane leaves a lasting legacy at the Institute and on tribal communities around the country. Nov 09, 2022 “Ballet des Porcelaines” at MIT A contemporary reinterpretation of an 18th century ballet reveals the fragility of orientalist fantasies. Nov 04, 2022 Video on the record MIT’s inaugural Bearing Witness, Seeking Justice conference explores video’s role in the struggle over truth and civil liberties. Nov 04, 2022 Exploring education from all angles Senior David Spicer advocates for students at MIT and beyond as he cultivates his interest in education policy. Oct 28, 2022 Community members greet MIT’s 18th president With donuts and cider in hand, students, faculty, and staff gathered on Hockfield Court to speak with President-elect Sally Kornbluth and celebrate her appointment. Oct 27, 2022 Frank Sidney Jones, professor emeritus of urban affairs, dies at 93 The first African American to receive tenure at MIT, Jones championed greater diversity and inclusion at the Institute and beyond. Oct 21, 2022 On campus, a warm welcome for MIT’s next president, Sally Kornbluth “This is your moment,” the Institute’s 18th president tells an MIT audience at a community introduction event. Oct 20, 2022 Sally Kornbluth is named as MIT’s 18th president As Duke University’s provost since 2014, she has advocated for faculty excellence and reinforced the institution’s commitment to the student experience.