Eric Evans, the director of MIT Lincoln Laboratory, will be stepping down from his position on July 1, 2024, after an 18-year tenure. Following this, he will be assuming the role of fellow in the director’s office at Lincoln Laboratory, as well as hold an appointment as a senior fellow in the Security Studies Program on the MIT campus.
During his term as Director, Evans led the laboratory to adapt and strengthen amidst changing national security needs. He took efforts to strengthen ties with the MIT research community, increase diversity and inclusion, and develop new models for technology transfer to small and medium-sized commercial companies. The laboratory also established new research and development mission areas such as cybersecurity, homeland protection, biotechnology, climate change technology, quantum information science, energy system resilience, and more under his leadership.
Evans also served as a member, vice chair, and chair of the Defense Science Board (DSB), which investigates science and technology needs for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Appreciating Evans’s service, Maria Zuber, MIT’s vice president for research, said that he foresaw the global implications of emerging technology areas and recognised the importance of collaboration, creativity, and excellence at Lincoln Laboratory for its future success. She stated that Evans will continue his association with MIT in his new role.
In his 18-year tenure, Evans started off as a technical staff member at the Lincoln Laboratory in 1988 and gradually established a large homeland-protection mission area, developed new homeland air defence capabilities, developed technology to counter cyberattacks, and initiated significant new work in biotechnology and human systems.
Evans also directed the laboratory to utilise its biotechnology resources for handling issues like medical resource allocation and automated contact tracing during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also initiated and expanded various other programs to address civilian needs, and increased collaborations with MIT’s campus by providing funding, available facilities, and posing new research questions.
Throughout his term, Evans focused on creating an inclusive culture at the laboratory, thereby increasing the representation of women and people of colour in technical and leadership roles. He strongly supported the creation of programs to promote student interest in STEM fields, with laboratory’s STEM outreach programs reaching over 100,000 students across the country.
In his new roles post stepping down as director, Evans aims to work with the defense community, support studies for future defence system and technology needs. He will also be involved in developing and teaching courses related to technology for national security.
Reflecting on his stint as director, Evans expressed how he’s proud of the impact the creative leaders and staff have had on national security and society over many years.
