MIT’s Department of Chemical Engineering continues to drive innovation across multiple fields, from healthcare and energy to materials science and machine learning. Below is a roundup of the latest news and research from the department.
- QS ranks MIT the world’s No. 1 university for 2026-27 — For the 15th consecutive year, MIT tops the QS World University Rankings, placing first in 12 subject areas. (June 17, 2026)
- Fluorescent nanosensor enables rapid, first-of-its-kind detection of key gut health biomarker — Researchers developed an optical nanosensor to detect a key gut biomarker, enabling faster, accessible screening. (June 15, 2026)
- Q&A with an MIT dining influencer — Michaela Brown shares stories about food and friends as an MIT Dining Ambassador, from oxtail and ackee in Jamaica to Thanksgiving dinner at New Vassar. (June 11, 2026)
- Developing innovative alternatives to conventional carbon capture methods — MIT researchers present a promising new approach to efficient, flexible carbon capture and removal. (June 4, 2026)
- A new vaccine adjuvant could make it easier to eradicate polio — The adjuvant helps the injectable polio vaccine induce a strong immune response in the GI tract, critical to eradicating the virus. (June 3, 2026)
- A new sensor could enable earlier detection of bladder cancer — Using a catheter coated with carbon nanotubes, researchers detect biomarkers produced by cancer cells in the bladder. (May 28, 2026)
- Eleven from MIT accept 2026 Fulbright awards — Over half of MIT’s Fulbright applicants won awards; current students and alumni will embark on research and teaching abroad. (May 26, 2026)
- Building AI models that understand chemical principles — Connor Coley works at the interface of chemistry and machine learning to discover and design new drug compounds. (May 20, 2026)
- From technical solution to systems change: Tackling the problem of plastic waste — Akorfa Dagadu, a senior in chemical engineering, learns the importance of community-engaged research through the PKG Center. (May 14, 2026)
- A new approach to cancer vaccination yields more powerful T cells — Using immune-remodeling mRNA molecules, researchers generated T cells that slow tumor growth and, in some cases, eradicate tumors. (May 13, 2026)
- MIT School of Engineering faculty receive awards in winter 2026 — Faculty and researchers honored for scholarship, service, and overall excellence. (May 7, 2026)
- Study: Gene circuits reshape DNA folding and affect how genes are expressed — When genes are transcribed, they suppress or activate their neighbors, coupling expression between genes. (April 30, 2026)
- Three from MIT named 2026 Goldwater Scholars — Rising seniors Deeksha Kumaresh, Anna Liu, and Charlotte Myers honored for academic achievements. (April 23, 2026)
- MIT affiliates elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for 2026 — Four MIT faculty and 13 alumni among more than 250 new members. (April 22, 2026)
- MIT faculty, alumni receive 2025-26 American Physical Society honors — Two faculty and six alumni win top APS awards; four faculty and 12 alumni named APS Fellows. (April 15, 2026)