Faculty

Three from MIT named Marine Microbiology Initiative investigatorsGordon and Betty Moore Foundation awards given to pursue high-risk research in marine microbial ecology.

How ‘transparent’ is graphene?MIT researchers find that adding a coating of graphene has little effect on how a surface interacts with liquids — except in extreme cases.

Study: At most a third of us show a consistent approach to financial riskEmpirically rich new study finds most people alter their risk-management approach depending on the type of financial decision.

Varanasi selected as outstanding young manufacturing engineer by SMEMIT professor of mechanical engineering is one of just seven recipients of the award this year.

Said and Done for November/December 2012Digest of humanities, arts and social sciences

Knowing the scoreAt MIT, composer Keeril Makan has found a home for his innovative works.

Deshpande Center celebrates 10 years of innovationHolds gala event for supporters, administrators, students, faculty and more.

Buongiorno and McKrell awarded more than $400,000 by CEA, FranceThe researchers will investigate transient boiling heat transfer phenomena under rapidly escalating heat fluxes.

Ozdaglar selected as the inaugural Steven and Renee Finn Innovation FellowThe fellowship provides tenured, mid-career faculty in the Department of Electrical Engineer and Computer Science with resources for up to three years to pursue new research and development paths.

Maria Zuber appointed vice president for researchClaude Canizares will take a new role as a vice president with responsibility for international partnerships.

Martin Schmidt to oversee MIT’s industry-facing officesAssociate provost will oversee Technology Licensing Office and Office of Corporate Relations; retains duties around space planning.

Proving quantum computers feasibleWith a new contribution to probability theory, researchers show that relatively simple physical systems could yield powerful quantum computers.

Scientists image brain structures that deteriorate in Parkinson’sNew MRI technique could help doctors track how patients respond to treatment.

Funneling the sun’s energyMIT engineers propose a new way of harnessing photons for electricity, with the potential for capturing a wider spectrum of solar energy.

Brain waves encode rules for behaviorFluctuations in electrical activity may also allow the brain to form thoughts and memories.

Provost Chris Kaiser updates faculty on Kendall SquareMIT to file rezoning petition; eastern gateway to the campus to be imagined collaboratively.

MIT Spouses & Partners program celebrates 40th anniversary

John Brisson appointed as director of MIT/SUTD Collaboration OfficeProfessor of mechanical engineering will serve as the Institute’s liaison with SUTD leaders in Singapore.

What can logistics do for you?In a new book, an MIT professor argues that investment in global transportation hubs can spur a ‘feedback loop’ of regional growth.

A different operating procedureMIT Sloan’s Katherine Kellogg goes inside hospitals to study medical practices.

New injectable gels toughen up after entering the bodyThese more durable gels could find applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering.

Department snapshot: Electrical Engineering and Computer ScienceEECS places renewed emphasis on interdisciplinary research, partnerships with alumni and industry, and experiential learning.

Driving drones can be a dragStudy shows distractions may alleviate boredom and improve drone operators’ performance.

Zue awarded Okawa PrizeHonored for work in speech science and spoken-language systems

Three awards for MIT research in anthropology, economics and political scienceMikusheva receives Elaine Bennett Research Prize; Petersen wins Distinguished Book Award; Helmreich wins Rachel Carson Prize.

A fond farewell to departing housemastersDeparting Sidney-Pacific and Ashdown Housemasters leave a legacy of dedication and support.