Christine Ortiz, the Morris Cohen Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT, has been named the next director of the MIT Technology and Policy Program (TPP).
“Christine is a force of nature,” says Fotini Christia, the Ford International Professor of the Social Sciences and director of the MIT Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS), which houses TPP. “Her years of service to the Institute, her support of grad students in particular, her research focus on innovation and the social good, and her network of connections across academia, industry, and government all make her the right leader for the program. At a time when technology has become such a critical part in informing evidence-based policy, I am confident that Christine will take TPP to the next level.”
Ortiz is a professor, engineer, scientist, entrepreneur, former dean, corporate board director, and foundation trustee. She is an internationally recognized researcher in biotechnology and biomaterials, advanced and additive manufacturing, and sustainable and socially-directed materials design. She has over 30 years of experience in science, engineering, research and development, and technology innovation. She has published more than 210 publications and supervised the research projects of more than 300 students, postdocs, and researchers from 60 different majors and disciplines. She has received more than 30 national and international honors, including the Presidential Early Career Award in Science and Engineering.
Ortiz served as dean for graduate education for MIT between 2010 and 2016, supporting all MIT graduate programs and more than 8,000 graduate students, where she led new initiatives in global education, educational technologies, and mentorship. She founded the nonprofit higher education and research institution Station 1 Laboratory Inc. (Station1), which is focused on socially-directed science and technology education, research, and innovation and maintains national and global reach.
Through her work at MIT and Station1, Ortiz has led the development of programs involving collaborations with more than 100 technology-focused startup companies and social enterprises. She serves on the board of directors of two public companies, Mueller Water Products (a water infrastructure and technology company) and Enovis (a medical technology company); is a member of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Apprenticeship Council and the MIT Museum Advisory Board; and is a trustee of the Essex County Community Foundation in Massachusetts.
“I am deeply honored to take on the role of director of the TPP program, and inspired by its focus and impressive legacy of contributions related to the integration of responsible technological innovation, policy, community, and societal impact,” says Ortiz. “I look forward to supporting and advancing the TPP mission and collaborating with the incredible TPP students, faculty, alumni, and partners involved in this important and transformative work.”
Ortiz succeeds IDSS and earth, atmospheric, and planetary science Professor Noelle Selin, who was TPP director from 2018 to 2023. IDSS Senior Research Engineer Frank Field served as interim director this past year.