Celebrating MIT’s 2025 Sloan Research Fellows: Innovators Shaping the Future

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has recognized 126 early-career researchers with the prestigious 2025 Sloan Research Fellowships, including seven faculty and 21 alumni from a renowned institution. This fellowship program celebrates exceptional scholars in the fields of science and technology across U.S. and Canadian educational institutions.

Diverse Fields of Excellence

The recipients hail from diverse departments, including Biology, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Earth Sciences, Economics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics, as well as the Music and Theater Arts Section and the School of Management.

These fellowships honor researchers whose creativity and innovation position them as the next generation of leaders in their respective fields. Each recipient is awarded a flexible two-year fellowship of $75,000 to support their research endeavors.

A Legacy of Impact

“The Sloan Research Fellows embody the pinnacle of early-career science, showcasing the creativity and ambition that propel discovery forward,” states the president of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. “These remarkable individuals are already making significant contributions, and we are confident they will shape the future of their disciplines in extraordinary ways.”

Since the program began in 1955, a total of 333 faculty members from this institution have been honored with Sloan Research Fellowships. This year, it shares the distinction of having the highest number of fellows in the cohort alongside another leading university.

These remarkable individuals are already making significant contributions, and we are confident they will shape the future of their disciplines in extraordinary ways.

Notable Recipients and Their Research

Among the distinguished recipients is Ariel L. Furst, a professor in Chemical Engineering. Her research integrates biological and materials engineering to tackle challenges in health and sustainability, focusing on creating technology accessible to underserved communities. Furst holds a PhD from Caltech and has garnered multiple awards for her innovative contributions.

Another notable fellow is Mohsen Ghaffari, an associate professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. His work delves into distributed computation theories, leading to significant advancements in algorithm design for complex problems. His research has been recognized with numerous awards from esteemed conferences and organizations.

Illustration of a modern research laboratory environment

Marzyeh Ghassemi is also among the honorees, serving as an associate professor at the intersection of computer science and medical engineering. Her research focuses on developing machine learning frameworks that enhance health outcomes. Ghassemi’s accolades include recognition as one of MIT Technology Review’s 35 Innovators Under 35.

Darcy McRose stands out as an environmental microbiologist exploring microbial roles in nutrient cycling and plant health through innovative experimental approaches. Her work aims to promote sustainability and ecosystem health.

Broad Contributions Across Disciplines

Other recognized researchers include Sarah Millholland, a theoretical astrophysicist studying extrasolar planets, Emil Verner from finance examining financial crises impacts, and Christian Wolf focusing on macroeconomic analysis. Each fellow’s work contributes significantly to their respective fields and showcases their commitment to advancing knowledge.

In addition to faculty members, several alumni also received fellowships, further highlighting the institution’s impact on fostering talent in various scientific domains.