Prof. Ian A Waitz

Ian Waitz was appointed to the position of MIT Vice President for Research (VPR). In the role, Waitz will report to the president and oversee MIT’s vast research enterprise. The appointment was effective May 1, 2024. Waitz is the Institute’s senior research officer and has overall responsibility for research administration and policy at the Institute.

Waitz, who is also the Jerome C. Hunsaker Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, brings deep knowledge of MIT to the position. Over more than 30 years, he has served in a wide range of roles across the Institute, where he has made his mark through energy, optimism, persistence, and a commitment to MIT’s mission of using education and innovation to create a better world.

Waitz served as the dean of the School of Engineering between 2011 and 2017, supporting the school’s ability to attract and support exceptional students and faculty. He oversaw the launch of programs including the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS), the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES), the Sandbox Innovation Fund, and the MIT Beaver Works program with Lincoln Laboratory. He also strengthened co-curricular and enrichment programs for undergraduate and graduate students, and worked with department heads to offer more flexible degrees.

Prior to that, Waitz served as the head of MIT’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, where he has been a faculty member since 1991. His research focuses on developing technological, operational, and policy options to mitigate the environmental impacts of aviation. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and has worked closely with industry and government throughout his career.