MIT’s Department of Biology continues to push the boundaries of life science research. Recent stories highlight groundbreaking work in stem cell regeneration, enzyme assembly, bacterial defense systems, and the achievements of faculty and alumni. Below is a roundup of the latest news from the department.
Meet the leader of the Department of Biology’s all-important “kitchen”
Karen O’Leary, lab associate and acting supervisor in the Glassware Sterilization Facility, has become a cornerstone of the department’s operations.
QS ranks MIT the world’s No. 1 university for 2026-27
MIT places first overall for the 15th consecutive year and leads in 12 subject areas.
Harriet having it all
Harriet Latham Robinson SM ’61, PhD ’65 reflects on a career at the forefront of molecular biology, spanning Boston, Moscow, and beyond.
Advancing stem cell research and building the next generation of biologists
Biology PhD student Giselle Valdes studies stem cell regeneration while mentoring aspiring researchers.
MIT affiliates win 2026 Breakthrough, New Horizons prizes
Faculty member Shu-Heng Shao and four MIT alumni are honored by the Breakthrough Prize Foundation.
Enzymes that assemble into droplets can speed up cellular reactions
MIT biologists find that highly concentrated droplets help cells keep enzymes organized and control growth signals.
MIT affiliates elected to National Academy of Sciences for 2026
Six MIT faculty and 10 additional alumni are recognized for outstanding contributions to research.
Four from MIT named 2026 Searle Scholars
Computational neuroscientist Sven Dorkenwald and cell biologist Whitney Henry, along with two alumni, are recognized for early-career research.
MIT BrainTrust supports neighbors living with brain injuries
Nearly 100 MIT students participate in a buddy program assisting Boston-area residents.
Biologist Joey Davis explores how cells build complex structures
His studies shed light on the assembly instructions governing ribosomes, the critical protein-building machines of the cell.
Six from MIT awarded 2026 Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
The fellowship honors immigrant contributions with $90,000 in graduate study funding.
MIT affiliates elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for 2026
Four MIT faculty and 13 alumni are among the new members.
Two MIT alumnae named 2026 Gates Cambridge Scholars
Mitali Chowdhury ’24 and Christina Kim ’24 will pursue graduate studies at Cambridge University.
Professor Michael Laub and MIT alumni named 2025 AAAS Fellows
The American Association for the Advancement of Science recognizes 21 alumni and Laub.
Slice and dice: SNIPE defense system
Newly characterized biological defense system directly protects bacteria by chopping up invading viral DNA.