From optical memory devices to sustainable materials and archaeometallurgy, Class of 2025 graduates showcased the intellectual range and creativity so valued by MIT’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE) on May 29—and the department celebrated them in style at its annual commencement reception.
Department Head Polina Anikeeva reflected on the academic journeys of the graduating seniors and advanced-degree students, which began in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic and the tight restrictions imposed on college campuses.
“There were many, many challenges in the early days of your education,” said Anikeeva, addressing the crowd of graduating students and their guests. “And through these challenges, not only have you learned to persevere, but you have grown in amazing ways. You have learned how to work around those really complex circumstances and, at the same time, do your best work, push your limits, and find amazing solutions to the most important problems.”
Anikeeva praised both undergraduate and graduate students for the research they’ve undertaken in sustainable energy, metals, electronics and computing, archaeological materials, and more.
The DMSE reception took place in a tent on Eastman Court on the MIT campus, the intended site of last year’s event, which was moved indoors when downpours flooded the space.
The reception was one of many celebrations held on campus during MIT’s three days of commencement activities—the same day as the OneMIT Commencement Ceremony, which brought together graduates of all degree programs. A ceremony for advanced-degree students was held the day before, on May 28, while the undergraduate ceremony took place on May 30.
“This is amazing. This is what we strive for. We strive to see our students graduate and walk,” said Assistant Professor Aristide Gumyusenge, who kicked off the event’s awards program. DMSE awards recognize students with exceptional performance in research, service, and teaching.
Gumyusenge, chair of DMSE’s graduate student committee, announced the awards for students earning master’s or doctoral degrees. First-year graduate student Mouyang Cheng won two—one for exceptional first-year performance and another for best paper.
“This is just a testimony of how excellent his research has been so far,” Gumyusenge said.
Other graduate awards and winners:
- Graduate Student Community Service Award: Avni Singhal and Eric Lee
- Graduate Student Teaching Award in Teaching a Graduate Subject: Ava Waitz
- Best Doctoral Thesis Award: Allison Kaczmarek
Associate Professor Juejun Hu announced the awards for the graduating seniors.
- Outstanding Sophomore Award: Anna Beck
- Julian Szekely Award for Outstanding Junior: Neha Basu
- Outstanding Senior Award: Mishael Quraishi
- Joseph M. Dhosi Outstanding Internship Award: Jenna Houle and Jordan Tierney
- Outstanding Senior Thesis Award: Maria Aguiar
- Undergraduate Student Teaching Award in Teaching an Undergraduate Subject: Ellie Vaserman
- John Wulff Award for Excellence in Teaching an Undergraduate Subject: Matthew Ye
There were two Horace A. Lubin Awards for Outstanding Service to the DMSE Community this year. One went to Alice Zehner, for her work as the Career Development Chair on the Society of Undergraduate Materials Scientists (SUMS). The other went to the SUMS leadership team—Maria Aguiar, Mishael Quraishi, and Jordan Tierney. The trio, Hu said, “worked hard this year to support and sustain our undergraduate student community, while also promoting the major and contributing to efforts to enhance the curriculum.”
Anikeeva lauded both the award winners and the entire graduating class.
“I can’t wait to see what this remarkable community of young scholars is going to do for the world going forward. So please—go, chart your path, push your limits, and congrats again.”
