Hamsa Balakrishnan has been appointed as the associate dean of the MIT School of Engineering, starting August 1, 2024. A professor in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AeroAstro), Balakrishnan is known for her impactful research in air transportation systems. Her work involves designing and analyzing control and optimization algorithms for complex cyber-physical systems, focusing on areas such as airport congestion management, air traffic routing, and machine learning applications for weather forecasting and flight delay predictions.
In her new role, Balakrishnan will be responsible for enhancing the recruitment, retention, and support of academic talent within the School of Engineering. She will play a key role in developing faculty programs and managing student initiatives, including fellowships and awards. Anantha Chandrakasan, dean of the School of Engineering, expressed enthusiasm about Balakrishnan’s appointment, highlighting her significant contributions and dedication to the field.
Balakrishnan leads the Dynamics, Infrastructure Networks, and Mobility (DINaMo) group, which focuses on the modeling, control, and optimization of infrastructure systems. Her team’s work, often in collaboration with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, NASA, and major airports, addresses challenges like advanced air mobility and airport operations.
Previously, Balakrishnan served as the associate department head in AeroAstro from 2018 to 2021. She has been recognized as an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and has received multiple awards, including the MIT AIAA Undergraduate Teaching Award, the Committed to Caring Award, and the MIT AIAA Undergraduate Advising Award. Balakrishnan earned her bachelor’s degree from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and her master’s and doctoral degrees from Stanford University.
