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Pakistan-born Nergis Mavalvala: First Female to be Named School of Science Dean at MIT

by Hareem Zafar
written by Hareem Zafar

Pakistan born astrophysicist Nergis Mavalvala has been named the new dean of the number one ranked Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Science in the United States. This is the first time in the 88-year history of the prestigious institution that a woman has been appointed to serve as dean.

Born in Lahore and raised in Karachi, Mavalwala, will be taking office responsibilities from September 01, 2020.

Nergis is recognized for her commendable work done in gravitational wave detection- the hypothesis of ripples in space and time continuum by Albert Einstein. She has been heading the Department of Physics at MIT since 2015.

Mavalvala is also the first person to receive the Lahore Technology Award, presented by the Lahore’s Information Technology University.

The Curtis and Kathleen Marble Professor of Astrophysics, Nergis conducted her pioneering work in gravitational-wave detection, while being leading member of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO). According to MIT News, Nergis has received several honors and awards for her research and teaching.

As MIT News reports, MIT President L. Rafael Reif had the following to say about Mavalvala:

Nergis’s brilliance as a researcher and educator speaks eloquently for itself. What excites me equally about her appointment as dean are the qualities, I have seen in her as a leader: She is a deft, collaborative problem-solver, a wise and generous colleague, an incomparable mentor, and a champion for inclusive excellence. As we prepare for the start of this most unusual academic year, it gives me great comfort to know that the School of Science will remain in such capable hands.

Like with everything she takes on, Mavalvala is optimistic about her role as Dean of MIT School of Science and even though the school is facing challenges in this unprecedented time, she is positive that they will together tackle and overcome them.

We’re in this moment where enormous changes are afoot,” Mavalvala says. “We’re in the middle of a global pandemic and economic challenge, and we’re also in a moment, at least in U.S. history, where the imperative for racial and social justice is really strong. As someone in a leadership position, that means you have opportunities to make an important and hopefully lasting impact.

Twitter rejoiced as they heard the news, with everyone sharing their anecdotes and stories about Mavalvala: 

 

Leading with Compassion

For the past years, ever since she has become the Head of the Physics Department at MIT, Mavalvala has deeply cared about the student’s well being and has overseen department’s academic programs. She has applied more flexible doctoral exams, has introduced online versions of many core subjects thus expanding digital learning. She has also set up an extensive mentoring program and introduced positive changes to the department’s graduate and undergraduate programs.

Mavalvala has made it a priority to listen to students, through open office hours, and town hall meetings; she even includes student representatives in key departmental committees.

I have had the privilege of working with some amazing people,” she says of her time as associate department head. She credits the many students and colleagues she has worked closely with, especially Fisher: “Through him, I’ve learned about leadership with compassion, with heart.

According to MIT news, Nergis also launched initiatives through which they are better able to meet the department’s educational and advisory goals, while reducing stress and workload for faculty, staff and students.

In order to improve equity and promote a more diverse student body, she even revised the department’s admissions procedure.

Mavalvala’s Early Life & Success

Born in Lahore and raised in Karachi, Mavalvala always had a flair for mathematics and physics. After acquiring her early education from Pakistan, she earned her bachelor’s degree in physics and astronomy from Wellesley College, before moving to MIT in 1990, where she pursued a PhD in physics.

After completing her PhD at MIT, Mavalvala went to Caltech in 1997 for her post doctorate to study the cosmic microwave background. She joined as a staff scientist at the LIGO Laboratory in 2000, where researchers were collaborating to build LIGO’s detectors. After spending two years with the Caltech team she joined the MIT faculty in 2002 as assistant pbrofessor of physics.

Isn’t this a moment of pride for our nation and for all the talented females struggling to make a name for themselves in fields dominated by males.

Stay tuned for more interesting articles and updates.

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