Currently serving as the dean of MIT’s School of Engineering and as the institute’s inaugural chief innovation and strategy officer, Chandrakasan succeeds Cynthia Barnhart, who announced her decision to step down in February earlier this year.
As the provost, he will act as MIT’s chief academic and budget officer, overseeing educational programming, faculty affairs, financial strategy, and institutional planning.”Anantha brings to this post an exceptional record of shaping and leading important innovations for the Institute. We will be able to draw on Anantha’s depth and breadth of experience; his nimbleness, entrepreneurial spirit and boundless energy; his remarkable record in raising funds from outside sources for important ideas,” MIT President Sally Kornbluth noted in the email announcing the decision.
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Career of Research, Leadership and Innovation
A faculty member since 1994, Chandrakasan led the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), which is MIT’s largest academic department, for six years before being named dean of School of Engineering in 2017.
His appointment as MIT’s first chief innovation and strategy officer came in 2024, tasked with driving forward new research, education, and innovation initiatives.
Throughout his administrative tenure, Chandrakasan played a significant role in establishing key interdisciplinary programmes, which include the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing and the MIT Climate and Sustainability Consortium, among several others that aim to bridge the gap between academics and industry.
The Indian Consulate General in New York welcomed his appointment, stating, “A distinguished academic and leader, Prof Chandrakasan has remained a strong advocate of India-USA technological & R&D collaboration; has been working with various Indian government and private sector stakeholders towards this objective. We wish him all success in this important responsibility,” as per PTI.Focus on making extraordinary contributions: Chandrakasan
Speaking on his new role, Chandrakasan said, “I feel deeply honored to take on the role of provost. Looking ahead, I see myself as a key facilitator, enabling faculty, students, postdocs, and staff to continue making extraordinary contributions to the nation and the world.”
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He outlined priorities for his tenure which include identifying institutional needs and planning strategically, retaining and attracting top talent, and supporting cross-disciplinary initiatives in research and education. To ensure broad participation, he plans to form advisory groups comprising faculty, students, postdocs, and external experts.
“My goal is to continue to facilitate excellence at MIT at all levels. There is a tremendous opportunity for MIT to be at the centre of the innovations… It’s about AI. It’s about semiconductors. It’s about quantum, the biosecurity and biomanufacturing space — but not only that,” Chandrakasan said.
“We need students who can do more than just code or design or build. We really need students who understand the human perspective and human insights,” he added, emphasising the importance of integrating STEM fields with the humanities and social sciences.
Chandrakasan’s work: From researcher to academic leader
Chandrakasan hold bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering and computer sciences from the University of California, Berkeley. He has led MIT’s Energy-Efficient Circuits and Systems Groups and advised 78 PhD students.
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His work as a researcher has been widely recognised with over 1,20,000 citations to his name. Among his academic contributions are initiatives such as Advanced Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme, commonly called ‘SuperUROP’ and the Rising Stars Programme, which are designed to support undergraduate and women postdoctoral researchers in engineering.
“I’m not afraid to try bold things,” Chandrakasan said, reflecting on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as the appointment places him at the centre of critical decisions on MIT’s academic direction and evolving landscapes.
