Joel Moses, Institute Professor Emeritus and computer science trailblazer, dies at 80
Known as a visionary who brought together faculty from across MIT, Moses pioneered an influential symbolic mathematics program and held many top leadership posts.
Brian Sousa Jr., MIT Police sergeant, dies at 49
On the MIT Police force for 23 years, Sousa was known for his kindness, patience, sense of humor, and love of MIT.
Professor Emeritus Markus Zahn, who specialized in electromagnetic field interactions, dies at 75
Admired teacher and mentor was a longtime member of the Laboratory for Electromagnetic and Electronic Systems and the High Voltage Research Laboratory, and champion of the VI-A Internship program.
Professor Emeritus Leo Marx, influential scholar of American history, dies at 102
Internationally respected and beloved, Marx created a new lens for American history studies — and was a leader in bringing the humanities into a central academic role at MIT.
Patrick Hale, former executive director of MIT System Design and Management, dies at 72
Hale’s guidance transformed SDM into a world leader in engineering and management.
Professor Emeritus Peter Griffith, a pioneer in heat transfer and fluid mechanics, dies at 94
Longtime professor of mechanical engineering influenced nuclear reactor design and shaped thermodynamics education at MIT.
Professor Emeritus Jerome Milgram, a leader in ship design and hydrodynamics, dies at 83
A pioneer of technologies associated with oceans, Milgram shaped oceanography and fluid mechanics education at MIT.
MIT community in 2021: A year in review
Top Institute stories dealt with the return to campus and continued response to Covid-19, MIT’s commitments to climate action, its support of a diverse community, and more.
Shirley McBay, former MIT dean of student affairs and leading advocate for diversity, dies at 86
The trailblazing Black mathematician fought to bring more students from underrepresented groups into science and engineering fields.
Ronald Kurtz, philanthropist and MIT Corporation life member emeritus, dies at 89
Alumnus, materials manufacturer, and passionate photography collector forged connections between art, science, and technology at the Institute.
Gene Dresselhaus, influential research scientist in solid-state physics, dies at 91
Over 50 years at MIT, Dresselhaus made lasting contributions to materials science within the research group of longtime collaborator and wife, Mildred Dresselhaus.
James Swan, associate professor of chemical engineering, dies at 39
The recently tenured professor, who joined the MIT faculty in 2013, studied the structure and dynamics of soft matter.
Arthur Mattuck, professor emeritus of mathematics, dies at 91
A specialist in algebraic geometry, the long-standing professor and former department head was influential across the Institute as an innovator in teaching first-year students.
Professor Emeritus Frederick Frey, a leader in the field of geochemistry, dies at 83
Over a career spanning five decades, Frey pioneered the use of new techniques to study the Earth’s mantle.
Professor Emeritus Ronald Probstein, world-renowned expert in fluid mechanics, dies at 93
Probstein’s research had diverse applications in fields including aeronautics, energy, desalination, and soil decontamination.