Mriganka Sur, head of MIT's Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences. Photo: Len Rubenstein

MIT Brainpower

Institute experts are now addressing one of the greatest intellectual and scientific challenges of the 21st century — understanding the human brain and mind.

Darrell Irvine hopes to imbue the body's natural defenses with superhero powers. Photo: Thomas Gearty

New Materials

Prof. Darrell Irvine is using new materials to power up the immune system against disease.

George Elbaum and Mimi Jensen make a continuing commitment to support graduate fellowships in the Department of Physics. Photo: Marc Longwood

“Remember These Words”

George Elbaum ’59 and Mimi Jensen of San Francisco make a continuing commitment to support graduate fellowships in the Department of Physics.

Prof. Barbara Liskov wins

Top Prize

Institute Prof. Barbara Liskov wins the Turing Award, the “Nobel Prize” of computing.

Prof. Penny Chisholm, who recently wrote a book for kids, says understanding photosynthesis

Living Sunlight

Prof. Penny Chisholm co-writes a children’s book that explains how the Sun creates life on Earth.

Michael Snively designed a line of stuffed toys that teach kids about circuits. Mr. Potato Head — which stands outside Hasbro in Pawtucket, R.I. — is shown in the background. Photo: Len Rubenstein

Toying With Success

Michael Snively, who designed a line of toys, wins a $10,000 prize to design and manufacture another new idea.

Adam Goldstein (right front) says a great part of being on the debate team is making friends with students across the world. He is shown here with some MIT teammates. Photo: Len Rubenstein

Crackerjack Communicators

Senior Adam Goldstein — who has already written two books — is a facile communicator and a star of MIT’s Debate Team.

Fellowships Vital To Research

MIT attracts the world’s top graduate students, who drive discovery in every field, collaborate with faculty on research, and teach and mentor undergraduates.