Michael Sipser appointed as head of School of Science
Michael Sipser, a distinguished mathematician and theoretical computer scientist, has been appointed as the new dean of the School of Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Sipser, who has spent over three decades teaching at MIT, was chosen from a pool of candidates identified by a faculty advisory committee.
The committee, which included representatives from each of the School of Science's departments - mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, and Earth, atmospheric and planetary sciences - unanimously agreed on Sipser's appointment. His tenure as dean began in December, following the departure of Marc Kastner, who was nominated to head the Department of Energy's Office of Science.
Sipser is well-known for his influential teaching and research in theoretical computer science, especially in complexity theory and computability. One of his most notable contributions is the authorship of the widely acclaimed textbook, "Introduction to the Theory of Computation," a clear and rigorous treatment of computability theory and computational complexity. First published in 1996, the textbook is now in its third edition.
Under Sipser's leadership, the School of Science at MIT has continued to thrive. During his six-year tenure as dean, he oversaw the school until 2025, when Nergis Mavalvala succeeded him. Notably, Sipser's leadership saw the introduction of the Advantage Testing Foundation's Math Prize for Girls to MIT's campus in 2011, an annual math competition for high school girls.
Sipser's tenure as the head of the Department of Mathematics has also been marked by success. During his 10 years in this role, he sustained the department's extraordinary stature and built a warm sense of community. Under his leadership, the department launched successful fundraising efforts, securing funds for building renovation, endowed chairs, fellowships, and an increase in undergraduate majors by 64%. As a result, the department now provides fellowships to all first-year graduate students.
Sipser's integrity, fairness, and patience are expected to serve him well in his role as dean. A fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Sipser joined MIT's Laboratory for Computer Science as a research associate in 1979 and has held various positions within the university since then, including professor of applied mathematics.
Outside of academia, Sipser lives in Cambridge with his wife, Ina, and has two children: a daughter, Rachel, who recently graduated from New York University, and a son, Aaron, who is a high school junior.
With Sipser at the helm, the School of Science at MIT is poised for continued success, building on its reputation as one of the top scientific institutions globally.
- Michael Sipser, a graduate of theoretical computer science, has been appointed as the new dean of the School of Science at MIT, following the departure of Marc Kastner.
- Sipser is renowned for his clear and rigorous teaching and learning of computability theory and computational complexity, as demonstrated in his widely acclaimed textbook "Introduction to the Theory of Computation."
- During his tenure as dean, Sipser oversaw a significant increase in undergraduate majors in the Department of Mathematics by 64%, and launched successful fundraising efforts.
- His leadership also saw the introduction of the Advantage Testing Foundation's Math Prize for Girls to MIT's campus in 2011, an annual math competition for high school girls.
- Sipser's research in complexity theory and computability has solidified his place among the faculty of the School of Science, which includes departments like chemistry, physics, biology, and Earth, atmospheric and planetary sciences.
- Sipser's undergraduate and graduate students will benefit from the funding he secured for fellowships, providing support for their education and self-development.
- The School of Science at MIT, under Sipser's guidance, continues to thrive, maintaining its reputation as one of the top scientific institutions globally.
- Sipser, a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, joins other esteemed faculty members in the Science departments, dedicating his energy to teaching and research.
- After spending over three decades teaching at MIT, Sipser has touched the lives and mental growth of countless students, fostering a warm sense of community within the Department of Mathematics.
- As Sipser continues his role as dean, he brings his integrity, fairness, and patience to inspire students on the campus, promoting the advancements of science, technology, and education.
