Effective August 1, Alex K. Shalek has stepped into the role of director at the MIT Institute for Medical Engineering and Sciences (IMES). Shalek, a prominent figure as the J. W. Kieckhefer Professor in both IMES and the Department of Chemistry, is known for his extensive contributions to science and education.
“Professor Shalek’s exemplary work as a researcher and educator has made a significant impact in his field. His vast connections within MIT, Harvard, and Mass General Brigham will greatly benefit IMES,” comments Anantha Chandrakasan, dean of the School of Engineering and chief innovation and strategy officer. “His innovative mindset and collaborative spirit will make him a remarkable leader in this new position.”
As a core member of IMES and a professor of chemistry, Shalek holds various leadership roles, including directing the Health Innovation Hub. He is also affiliated with MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, the Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard, as well as the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. Additionally, he serves as an assistant in immunology at Mass General Brigham and as an instructor in health sciences and technology at Harvard Medical School.
The Shalek Lab is dedicated to exploring how clusters of cells function within human tissues to maintain health and investigating how these processes can go awry in disease. Through innovative experimental and computational techniques, the lab is illuminating various human health challenges.
Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach that integrates genomics, chemical biology, and nanotechnology, Shalek and his team have developed advanced platforms for profiling and manipulating cells and their interactions. Their global collaborations enhance the understanding of human diseases in remarkable detail, aiming to correlate cellular activity with clinical observations. This could potentially lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies for diseases.
Shalek’s illustrious career is marked by an array of prestigious accolades, including the NIH New Innovator Award, a Beckman Young Investigator Award, a Searle Scholar Award, a Pew-Stewart Scholar Award, an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, and an Avant-Garde (DP1 Pioneer) Award. His commitment to education and mentorship was recognized with the 2019-20 Harold E. Edgerton Faculty Achievement Award at MIT and the 2020 HMS Young Mentor Award.
Shalek earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical physics from Columbia University, followed by a master’s and Ph.D. in the same field from Harvard University. Before joining MIT in 2014, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Broad Institute.
Shalek takes over from Elazer Edelman, the Edward J. Poitras Professor in Medical Engineering and Science, who has been at the helm of IMES since April 2018.
“I extend my sincere gratitude to Professor Edelman for his exceptional leadership and dedication to IMES throughout the past six years,” Chandrakasan remarks. “His vision and contributions to IMES have been vital, and we appreciate his commitment during his directorship.”
Photo credit & article inspired by: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
