Jacob Andreas and Brett McGuire named Edgerton Award winners

MIT Honors Excellence in Teaching, Research, and Service

MIT has named Associate Professors Jacob Andreas (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science) and Brett McGuire (Chemistry) as recipients of the 2026 Harold E. Edgerton Faculty Achievement Award. This annual distinction celebrates faculty who demonstrate extraordinary achievement in education, research, and community engagement.

About the Edgerton Award

Established in 1982 to honor Professor Emeritus Harold E. Edgerton, the award highlights contributions from younger faculty who embody MIT's commitment to innovation and leadership.

Recognizing Jacob Andreas’s Contributions

Jacob Andreas joined MIT in 2019 and is a member of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL). His research focuses on natural language processing and artificial intelligence, aiming to deepen our understanding of how machines can learn language from human input. Andreas has developed advanced courses in natural language processing and played a key role in modernizing MIT’s curriculum in this area. He has been honored with multiple awards, including the Sloan Research Fellowship and teaching distinctions at MIT, and is recognized for bridging foundational theory with real-world and ethical considerations in computing.

Brett McGuire’s Breakthroughs in Astrochemistry

Brett McGuire, who became an MIT faculty member in 2020, leads research at the intersection of physical chemistry, molecular spectroscopy, and astronomy. His lab has made significant discoveries about carbon’s role in space, such as identifying polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the interstellar medium. McGuire’s achievements also extend to teaching, where he is celebrated for engaging large classes in chemistry with clarity, humor, and innovative instruction methods. He has earned high praise for his service and outreach within both MIT and the broader scientific community, receiving several prestigious fellowships and teaching awards.

Celebrating Impact

Both Andreas and McGuire are commended by colleagues and department heads for their inspirational research, commitment to students, and leadership. Their work continues to enhance MIT’s reputation as a leader in science and engineering education.

For more details, read the original article: Jacob Andreas and Brett McGuire named Edgerton Award winners on MIT News.