May 2020

Dear members of the MIT community and friends,

As we’ve navigated the complexities and uncertainties of the current pandemic, I have taken pride in witnessing how our students have persevered amidst so many challenges. From pivoting their research and studies to address the Covid-19 crisis, to conducting final projects and delivering dissertations virtually – their creativity, innovation, and adaptability has been truly inspiring.

On the heels of MIT’s virtual commencement celebration, I want to take this moment to applaud our students for their achievements big and small. From the first day they became part of the MIT family, our students embraced a shared mission to tackle some of the world’s greatest challenges. Now more than ever, we need them to make the world a better place – and I’m confident that they will. 

This issue of The Infinite shines a light on some of our remarkable School of Engineering students through stories such as that of Junli Hao, who is applying her doctoral research to support first responders, Tarun Kamath, who is pursuing research in neurodegenerative disease biology while helping his peers to destress, and Pablo Decru, who is addressing climate change as an entrepreneur. You’ll also meet some of our seniors, who fondly recall their last moment together on campus, and a new MIT graduate who reflects upon the surprising benefits of defending her thesis virtually. In the media we highlight Comusica, the unique music experience unveiled at MIT’s virtual commencement, and an example of an incredible cross-disciplinary effort involving students, faculty, staff, and our alumni community.

These are but some of the many stories of how our students turned challenges into opportunities. They are pioneers; they are thought leaders; they are inventors – and they are MIT. I can’t wait to see what they do next.

Sincerely,

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Anantha P. Chandrakasan

DEAN, MIT SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
VANNEVAR BUSH PROFESSOR OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

PROTECTING RESPONDERS
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Applying doctoral research to the Covid-19 emergency

Junli Hao’s efforts aid procurement of face masks and respirators for first responders.

INSPIRING SCIENCE
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Studying the brain and supporting the mind

Senior Tarun Kamath has explored neuroscience and science policy, while helping his peers find ways to reduce stress.

LIFELONG FRIENDSHIP
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Sharing a virtual hug

School of Engineering seniors and their peers reminisce about their time together at MIT.

[video]

CLIMATE CHANGE
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Addressing climate change as an entrepreneur

After delivering novel computational methods for nuclear problems, PhD candidate Pablo Ducru plunges into startup life.

VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE
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Defending a doctoral thesis virtually

Recent MIT graduate Erin Looney reflects on the surprising benefits of defending her doctoral thesis on Zoom.

IN THE MEDIA
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Many voices, one MIT

More than 800 MIT graduates sing one song together, virtually. – via Boston Globe [subscription required]