Throughout 2023, MIT experienced a number of breakthroughs, key advancements, and noteworthy events, all featuring in the headlines.
At the beginning of the year, President Sally Kornbluth’s inauguration and Mark Rober’s commencement address marked significant moments. Moreover, Professor Moungi Bawendi was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Throughout the year, researchers at MIT made significant strides in various fields, such as detecting a star swallowing a planet, exploring artificial intelligence, creating clean energy solutions, inventing tools for early detection of cancer, and uncovering the science behind spreading kindness.
Steve Hartman’s exploration of the science of kindness with Professor Anette “Peko” Hosoi stood out. The university’s all-women leadership team, consisting of President Sally Kornbluth, Provost Cynthia Barnhart, and Chancellor Melissa Nobles, emphasized the importance of representation for women and underrepresented groups in STEM. Meanwhile, undergraduate Subin Kim shared his journey from community college to MIT through the Transfer Scholars Network.
President Kornbluth shared her views on AI, ethics in science, and climate change on the “Say More” podcast. In other news, astronomers from MIT and other institutions detected a dying star swallowing a large planet. A variety of AI experts also provided insights on how technology is shaping every aspect of life.
MIT engineers unveiled a technique for 3D printing a patient’s heart replica, potentially revolutionizing customized treatments. Scientists unraveled the secret behind the long-standing durability of Roman buildings, attributing it to lime clasts used in manufacturing concrete.
In the area of climate change, MIT has been making substantial efforts to promote sustainable practices and technologies. These include research into common hydrogel that absorbs moisture from the atmosphere as temperatures rise, the development of energy-storing concrete, and strategic placement of EV charging stations.
In healthcare, MIT researchers developed new prototypes and techniques to combat diseases and conditions. Examples include drug-delivery nanoparticles which target cancer cells while leaving healthy cells undisturbed, an antibiotic discovered using a machine-learning algorithm, a wearable ultrasound device designed to detect early-stage breast tumors, etc.
The institute also explored how advances in gravitational wave detection can deepen our understanding of the universe, supported by researchers Lisa Barsotti, Deep Chatterjee, and Victoria Xu.
In addition to these, MIT community members published several acclaimed books and explored science in art and opera. Furthermore, the university’s focus on broadening access to quality education and promoting community service, such as through coding classes for inmates, was lauded.
In all, 2023 proved a productive and enlightening year for MIT, with ongoing contributions to various fields of knowledge and the promotion of inclusivity and community service.
