Dear CEE Community and Friends,

In this month’s newsletter, we share that MIT was ranked No. 1 in Civil and Structural Engineering in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, as well as the appointment of Prof. Desirée Plata as associate dean of engineering. We also highlight Active Surfaces, a startup co-founded by alumnus Shiv Bhakta, developing flexible solar films designed to expand access to clean energy.

Also in this newsletter, we feature new research from the Buehler Lab on designing proteins based on motion, an AI system developed by Prof. Cathy Wu that improves coordination in warehouse robot traffic, and a new study from the Plata Lab that explores how data on toxic N-nitrosamines can carry hidden biases.

Lastly, we share a staff spotlight on CEE Event Administrator Daria Levear, who is recognized for her outstanding work supporting events across the department.

Sincerely,

Ali Jadbabaie

JR East Professor

Department Head, MIT Civil and Environmental Engineering

Core Faculty, Institute for Data, Systems, and Society

QS World University Rankings has placed MIT in the No. 1 spot in 12 subject areas for 2026, including Civil and Structural Engineering.

Active Surfaces aims to install peel-and-stick solar panels everywhere

Active Surfaces, a startup co-founded by alumnus Shiv Bhakta, is developing lightweight, flexible, high-efficiency solar energy films designed to be used on roofs, walls, and any curved surface.

Desirée Plata appointed associate dean of engineering

Faculty member in civil and environmental engineering will advance research and entrepreneurial initiatives across the School of Engineering.

VibeGen, a new AI model developed in the Buehler Lab, generates novel proteins based on how they vibrate and move, opening new possibilities for dynamic biomaterials and adaptive therapeutics.

AI system learns to keep warehouse robot traffic running smoothly

This new approach adapts to decide which robots should get the right of way at every moment, avoiding congestion and increasing throughput.

Partitioning Parameters of N-Nitrosamines: An Intercomparison of Determination Methods

A new study from postdoc Nicolette Bugher, Prof. Desirée Plata, and collaborators finds that even “gold-standard” data on toxic N-nitrosamines can carry hidden biases that affect regulatory decisions.

SoE Staff Spotlight: Daria Levear

Meet Daria Levear, CEE’s Event Administrator. Daria is recognized for consistently delivering exceptional work in planning and organizing every CEE event, including holiday parties, Research Day, Awards Night, and more.

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Have exciting news or accomplishments to share? Send us your updates to be featured in the next newsletter!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Civil 

and Environmental Engineering

77 Massachusetts Avenue, Room 1-290 Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 

(617) 253-7101

CEE.MIT.EDU