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Dr. Mildred Dresselhaus Institute Professor, MIT Nat’l Medal of Science recipient
Former Director of the Office of Science at the U.S. Department of Energy
MILDRED DRESSELHAUS was born and grew up in New York City. She received her undergraduate education at
Hunter College in New York City. After a year of study at Cambridge University and another year at Harvard University, she
completed her Ph.D. degree at the University of Chicago, with her Ph.D. thesis in 1958 on the subject of microwave properties
of superconductors in a magnetic field. Following her doctoral studies, Dr. Dresselhaus spent 2 years at Cornell University
as an NSF postdoctoral fellow, and then 7 years as a staff member of the MIT Lincoln Laboratory in the Solid State Physics
Division. She joined the MIT faculty in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in 1967 and the
Department of Physics in 1983, and was named an Institute Professor in 1985. She served as the Director of the Office of
Science at the US Department of Energy in 2000--2001. She is currently the Chair of the Governing Board of the American
Institute of Physics.
She is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the American Philosophical Society,
and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Physical Society, the IEEE, the Materials Research
Society, the Society of Women Engineers, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and American Carbon
Society. Dr. Dresselhaus has served as President of the American Physical Society, Treasurer of the National Academy of
Sciences, President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and is currently serving as Chair of
the Governing Board of the American Institute of Physics.
Dr. Dresselhaus has received numerous awards, including the National Medal of Science and 19 honorary doctorates. She is the
co-author of four books on carbon science. Her research interests are in experimental solid state physics, particularly in
carbon related materials, novel forms of carbon, including carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, porous carbons, activated carbons
and carbon aerogels, as well as other nanostructures, such as bismuth nanowires and the use of nanostructures in low
dimensional thermo-electricity.
For relaxation, she is an enthusiastic chamber music player, where she plays either violin or viola, and enjoys spending time
with her husband, 4 children and 4 grandchildren.
General Public Lecture
“Expanding Opportunities for Women in Science and Engineering”
Wednesday, March 2, 2005 8:00pm in PSF 166
Abstract: This talk will focus on the present status of women in science and engineering in the US and
elsewhere. Emphasis will also be given to developing strategies to enhance the experiences of women both as students, and in
finding careers in science and engineering. Strategies to enhance the recruitment and retention of women faculty will also
be discussed.
Department of Physics Colloquium
“Addressing Grand Energy Challenges through Advanced Materials”
Thursday, March 3, 2005 4:00pm in PSF 173
Abstract: Advanced materials, utilizing nanoscience and nanotechnology, offer new promise for addressing
some of the grand societal challenges facing our energy future. In this talk some of these long term energy challenges to our
society will be reviewed. Some examples of research accomplishments and opportunities at the nanoscale will be described,
with special attention given to the potential of advanced materials, nanoscience and nanotechnology to have an impact on
addressing grand challenges related to a sustainable energy supply for the 21st century and beyond.
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