The events of the past 7 months have brought the importance of our mission and vision to the front page. Our department sits at the crossroads that connects the complex infrastructures, systems and operations that are the bedrock of our modern civilization and networked lives - and the planet and environment that is being severely affected by this anthropogenic activity. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to bear the fragile nature of our supply chain networks, our modern infrastructure, and the impact of our mobility and interconnectedness on how local events lead to global cascades. Our message is clear: If you think the disruptions caused by COVID-19 were bad, wait for the effects of climate change!
CEE is also at the forefront of some of the most exciting and diverse research being conducted today in the areas of materials and sustainability. Admir Masic has developed a new methodology for a better understanding of how nacre – a natural material found in shells along the beach – has such strength and versatility, and revealed new information that could potentially aid engineers as they work to develop newer, more sustainable building materials, inspired by nature.
Yossi Sheffi’s new book, entitled The New (Ab)Normal takes a look at how businesses and supply chain managers turned to science and technology in the wake of the pandemic, and could change the way business is done forever, and the initiative lead by Otto Cordero called MIT Integrative Microbiology Initiative will stimulate environmental microbiology research in years to come. Last but not least, please join me in congratulating Professor David Simchi-Levi, who was awarded the prestigious Impact Prize by INFORMS, the leading international association of operations research and analytics professionals, and Professor Tami Lieberman, who was the recipient of an NIH Director’s award.
See below for more news and insights into the amazing research going on within our department, as well as the people conducting it.
Thank you, and please continue to stay safe during this challenging time.
Ali Jadbabaie
JR East Professor of Engineering
Department Head, MIT Civil and Environmental Engineering
Core Faculty, Institute for Data, Systems, and Society