Cell Biologist From Duke Named New President of MIT

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — While there have been myriad causes Sally Kornbluth felt pulled to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, it was the possibility to assist handle a few of the world’s best challenges that performed maybe the largest position, the college’s new president mentioned at an introductory information convention on Thursday.

“Maybe above all, I used to be drawn right here as a result of this can be a second when humanity faces enormous international issues, issues that urgently demand the world’s most skillful minds and arms,” she mentioned. “In quick, I consider that is MIT’s second. I couldn’t think about a better privilege than serving to the folks of MIT seize its full potential.”

Kornbluth, a cell biologist who has spent the previous eight years as provost at Duke University, was elected MIT’s 18th president on Thursday by the MIT Corporation, the college’s governing physique.

She will formally take over on Jan. 1, succeeding L. Rafael Reif, who in February introduced that he deliberate to step down after 10 years on the job. She is the second girl to guide MIT.

Kornbluth has been on the Duke college since 1994, and is presently a professor of biology. As provost on the North Carolina college since 2014, Kornbluth was answerable for finishing up Duke’s instructing and analysis missions; growing its mental priorities; and partnering with others to enhance college and college students.

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It was her accomplishments at Duke that made her the clear frontrunner out of the 4 finalists for the MIT presidency, mentioned Diane Greene, chair of the MIT Corporation.

“Dr. Kornbluth is a unprecedented discover for MIT,” Greene mentioned, noting that the vote was unanimous. “She’s an distinctive administrator, extensively revered for her potential to create an atmosphere that breaks limitations, and importantly, allows each scholar, college and employees member to contribute at their highest ranges. She is understood for her judgment, plain-spokenness, and integrity.”

Kornbluth additionally pledged to maintain MIT a welcoming and comfy atmosphere the place everybody can attain their potential.

“I’m completely dedicated to constructing a extra numerous and more and more inclusive atmosphere right here at MIT,” she mentioned.

Kornbluth already has one robust tie to MIT. Her son, Alex, is a Ph.D. scholar in electrical engineering and pc science on the college. Her husband, Daniel Lew, is a professor of pharmacology and most cancers biology on the Duke School of Medicine, and her daughter, Joey, is a medical scholar on the University of California at San Francisco.

She grew up in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, and has levels from Williams College, Cambridge University, and Rockefeller University.