Dear members of the MIT community and friends,

As spring blooms and our focus shifts evermore toward the future, I can’t help but reflect upon how far we’ve advanced across the past year. Last April, I shared with you an issue of The Infinite dedicated to our far-reaching efforts on Covid-19 research and the stories of our resilient students as they adapted to a changing world. Remember the virtual hug shared by graduating members of the class of 2020? Or the journeys of our students and faculty as they shared their new approaches to learning and teaching?

Determination and a desire to change our world in ways big and small drove every member of our community to find a way forward through the toughest of challenges—from labs to living rooms, classrooms to backyards. For all that we have endured and discovered, I am convinced we are stronger and more committed than ever today.

In this issue of The Infinite, we cover some incredible research advances in climate and health care; shine a light on increasing female entrepreneurship in biotech; and share some inspiring stories of our students and recent alumni poised to impact our world in extraordinary ways.

We are enthusiastically looking toward the future and embracing our new normal in the only way we know how—with the pride, ambition, resilience, and creativity that is at the heart of everything we do at the MIT School of Engineering.

Here’s to a spring season full of promise and inspiration. 

Sincerely,