Faculty – MIT Department of Chemistry

“The fact that ozone depletion would have happened as early as the late 1950s, which is much earlier than I would have thought, just absolutely blew my mind,” says Susan Solomon.

Scientists find ozone depletion began decades before discovery of ozone hole

Researchers determined that carbon tetrachloride, used as a dry-cleaning and degreasing agent as early as the 1930s, was at the root of early ozone loss.

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Susan Solomon, the Lee and Geraldine Professor of Environmental Studies at MIT, has been named the 2026 Tang Prize in Sustainable Development laureate, in recognition of her research and leadership in atmospheric and climate sciences that has helped shaped global policy.

Susan Solomon named 2026 Tang Prize laureate

Solomon’s research has helped lay steps towards recovery of the ozone layer and demonstrated the lasting impacts of carbon emissions on Earth’s climate.

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MIT chemists showed they can double the strength of common polymers, including polystyrene and a type of rubber used to make shoe soles.

MIT chemists design impact-resistant plastics

Introducing weaker bonds into polystyrene and rubber helps these materials dissipate energy, making them more resistant to destructive forces.

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Daniel L.M. Suess Promoted to Full Professor

Suess’ promotion will go into effect on July 1, 2026.

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JoAnne Stubbe Awarded Honorary Doctorate from Yale University

Stubbe was one of eight distinguished individuals to receive honorary degrees during Yale’s annual commencement.

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Six MIT faculty have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences for 2026. Top row, l-r: Bengt Holmström, Michale Fee, and Gareth H. McKinley. Bottom row, l-r: Keith Nelson, Fan Wang, and Catherine Wolfram.

MIT affiliates elected to National Academy of Sciences for 2026

Professor Keith Nelson is one of six MIT faculty recognized by their peers for their outstanding contributions to research in the natural and social sciences.

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The Haystack 37m Telescope is contained in the large radome seen on the right, a structure that protects the telescope’s precision reflector from weather.

The Haystack 37m Telescope: A new era of astrophysical research

The legendary radio astronomy telescope returns to its science and educational mission at MIT Haystack Observatory.

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MIT researchers have discovered and isolated a new molecule, known as a dioxaborirane (not shown), which is made of one boron and two oxygen atoms. Such compounds were previously thought to be too unstable to isolate.

MIT chemists discover and isolate a new boron-oxygen molecule

The discovery of dioxaborirane could expand the chemistry of boron-based reagents, providing new tools for oxidation reactions.

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Sylvia Ceyer receives Undergraduate Departmental Advising Excellence Award

This award recognizes faculty members who demonstrate outstanding dedication and support in advising upper-level students in their department.

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Nineteen members of the MIT engineering faculty received awards in winter 2026.

MIT School of Engineering faculty receive awards in winter 2026

Faculty members and researchers were honored in recognition of their scholarship, service, and overall excellence.

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Alison Wendlandt smiles in front of a white board.

Using light to push stereochemistry uphill

While chemistry usually follows the downhill pull of thermodynamics, Alison Wendlandt is creating higher‑energy stereoisomers in the final stages of synthesis.

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Bob Griffin smiles beside Mark Wrighton while holding his distinguished alumni award.

Robert Guy Griffin receives Distinguished Alumni Award from Washington University

Griffin was selected in recognition of his distinguished career and for exemplifying scientific excellence, leadership, and integrity.

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A lab member glances through a mircoscope in a darkened room.

Single-molecule tracker illuminates workings of cancer-related proteins

Researchers use custom-built microscopy and nanotechnology to tag and follow the activity of individual proteins in real time.

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