The MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing has recently unveiled an exciting new initiative: the Tayebati Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. This program is specifically designed to support postdoctoral researchers engaging in groundbreaking research that merges artificial intelligence (AI) with specific academic disciplines. With an emphasis on utilizing AI to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in designated scientific fields, such as biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as in the realms of music composition and performance, the program aims to foster innovative research that transcends traditional boundaries.
The inaugural cohort of the Tayebati Postdoctoral Fellowship Program will consist of up to six postdoctoral scholars who will embark on a one-year research term, with the option to renew for a second year based on performance and productivity. The launch of this ambitious program has been made possible through a generous $20 million donation from Parviz Tayebati, an esteemed entrepreneur and executive known for his extensive technical expertise and extensive experience in the startup sector. This substantial gift aims to empower exceptional postdoctoral researchers by providing them with an environment conducive to their academic and professional growth, enabling them to pursue groundbreaking discoveries in their fields.
In speaking about the fellowship, Tayebati expressed his pride in supporting a program that promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and research. “My hope is that this gift will inspire a new generation of scholars whose research advances knowledge and fosters innovation that transcends traditional boundaries,” he remarked. His vision aligns seamlessly with the overarching goals of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, which seeks to nurture the next generation of problem solvers and innovators at the intersection of computing and various disciplines.
Dan Huttenlocher, the dean of the Schwarzman College of Computing and the Henry Ellis Warren Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, emphasized the immense potential of AI to accelerate advancements in both scientific research and human creativity. “This new postdoc program is a remarkable opportunity to cultivate exceptional bilingual talent that merges AI with another discipline,” he stated. The program promises to provide fellows with the invaluable opportunity to engage in pioneering research at the cutting edge of AI and their respective fields, fostering collaborative efforts with leading experts from diverse academic backgrounds. Huttenlocher expressed gratitude to Tayebati for his foresight in supporting such crucial developments in an increasingly significant area of research.
The candidates selected for the Tayebati Postdoctoral Fellowship Program will be involved in projects that highlight one of six specific disciplines: biology/bioengineering, brain and cognitive sciences, chemistry/chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, music, and physics. Each fellow will enjoy the guidance of faculty mentors, one specializing in their chosen disciplinary area and the other in artificial intelligence. This mentorship structure is designed to enhance the fellows’ research capabilities and create robust interdisciplinary connections that will further their investigations.
The Tayebati Fellowship is an integral part of a broader initiative at the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, which is committed to promoting innovative research in the field of computing. Within this framework, the college oversees three postdoctoral programs that collectively aim to provide comprehensive training and mentorship to fellows, expand their research perspectives, and help them to developexpertise in computing as it intersects with other disciplines.
One of these programs is the MEnTorEd Opportunities in Research (METEOR), initiated by the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) in 2021. METEOR was recently expanded to encompass the entire college, with the primary aim of supporting outstanding scholars in computer science and artificial intelligence while also broadening participation in the field. This program exemplifies MIT’s commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusion within the technological and computing sectors.
Additionally, the Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC), a cross-cutting initiative housed within the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, provides an alternative postdoctoral opportunity for researchers examining how computing technology is shaping society. SERC postdoctoral fellows engage in various activities throughout the year, including leading interdisciplinary teams of undergraduate and graduate students known as SERC Scholars. These teams address significant research topics such as generative AI and its implications for democracy, the challenges posed by deepfakes, issues surrounding data ownership, and the broader societal impacts of gamification, among others.
In summary, the Tayebati Postdoctoral Fellowship Program represents a crucial stride toward advancing interdisciplinary research that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to address pressing global challenges. By supporting the professional and academic development of postdoctoral scholars and promoting collaborative efforts across different fields, MIT is not only enhancing its research capabilities but also fostering the growth of a new generation of innovators poised to make substantial contributions to the worlds of science, technology, and the arts. This initiative, alongside others within the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, underscores MIT’s unwavering commitment to tackling some of the most significant issues of our time through the lens of computing and interdisciplinary collaboration.
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