MIT Innovators Honored with 2025 IEEE Awards for Pioneering Contributions

The IEEE has recently recognized outstanding contributions in technology and innovation by awarding prestigious medals and fellowships for 2025. Among the honorees are four faculty members, one staff member, and five alumni from MIT.

Distinguished Faculty Honorees

Regina Barzilay, a distinguished professor in AI and Health at the School of Engineering, was awarded the IEEE Frances E. Allen Medal. She has developed innovative machine learning algorithms that significantly enhance human language technology and have substantial implications in the medical field. Barzilay specializes in modeling molecular properties for drug design, aiming to advance our understanding of disease biochemistry and expedite the creation of new therapeutics. In the area of clinical AI, she concentrates on algorithms for early cancer detection. Her accolades include membership in prestigious academies and several awards such as the MacArthur Fellowship and MIT’s Jamieson Award.

James J. Collins, a leading figure in Medical Engineering and Biological Engineering at MIT, received the 2025 IEEE Medal for Innovations in Healthcare Technology. His pioneering work in synthetic gene circuits has launched a new frontier in synthetic biology, revolutionizing healthcare applications. Collins is a core faculty member at the Wyss Institute and has co-founded multiple biotech companies. His contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the MacArthur “Genius” Award.

Innovators in Digital Health and Quantum Computing

Roozbeh Jafari, a principal staff member at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, was honored as an IEEE Fellow for his groundbreaking contributions to sensors and systems in digital health. His research aims to create collaborative programs that promote health and wellness through innovative technologies like wearable computing and AI. Jafari has authored over 200 publications and received several prestigious awards for his work.

William Oliver, a professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT, earned recognition as an IEEE Fellow for his advancements in superconductive quantum computing technology. As director of the MIT Center for Quantum Engineering, he focuses on developing superconducting qubits and cryogenic systems for quantum processors. Oliver has also created online courses to educate others about quantum computing.

Leadership in Robotics and Alumni Achievements

Daniela Rus, director of the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, received the IEEE Edison Medal for her leadership and innovative contributions to robotics. Her research emphasizes autonomy in robotics, where robots collaborate to assist humans in various tasks. Rus is recognized as a MacArthur Fellow and has received several honors for her work.

Additionally, nineteen MIT alumni were acknowledged for their contributions to technology and innovation. Steve Mann received the Masaru Ibuka Consumer Technology Award for his advancements in wearable computing. Thomas Louis Marzetta was recognized for his pioneering work in wireless communication technologies. Other notable alumni include Michael Menzel, Jose Manuel Fonseca Moura, and Marc Raibert, each receiving awards for their significant contributions to their respective fields.

The list of newly elected IEEE Fellows includes several distinguished individuals who have made remarkable contributions across various disciplines, further highlighting the innovative spirit fostered within the MIT community.