Amanda Armijo is a staff veterinarian whose broad knowledge base, adaptability, and respect for those around her has allowed her to seamlessly integrate into and become a valued member of multiple teams during times of unexpected need. Apart from her duties as a veterinarian, Amanda serves as co-director of DCM’s postdoctoral fellowship for veterinarians, and devotes countless hours to mentoring and curriculum development. She has also worked to expand DCM’s internship program for veterinary technicians, which has grown fivefold since its start, thanks to her efforts.

As one of her colleagues said, “I am truly in awe as I watch Dr. Armijo work – she is a natural leader, yet so unaware of her innate leadership abilities, and so humble and selfless throughout.” 

Since arriving at MIT in 2017, Beth Dupuy has had a tremendous impact on the MIT community and its activities around the world through her leadership in the Vice Provost for International Activities Office.

Her work on initiatives including the MIT Strategy for China, the Global MIT At-Risk Fellows Program, the Climate Grand Challenges, the Climate Project at MIT, and many other international efforts – large and small – have helped the Institute build thoughtful, strategic collaborations across the globe from Japan and Afghanistan to Saudi Arabia and Ukraine.

Her colleagues describe her as a wise and trusted partner, a skilled and dedicated collaborator, and a detail-oriented administrator who is committed to MIT’s mission. Beth brings the utmost integrity and professionalism to her work.

One nominator wrote, “I have never encountered another colleague at MIT who is as adept as Beth is at juggling multiple priorities, keeping the trains running smoothly, and ensuring the team stays focused.”

Kelly McGinity is an event planning manager for the MIT Energy Initiative, also known as MITEI. At MITEI, Kelly is responsible for developing, managing, and marketing more than 70 meetings, conferences, webinars, seminars, and symposia held by MITEI each year.

In fact, these events attract hundreds of students, faculty, staff, and industry colleagues. And Kelly assists more than 300 speakers to ensure the events run flawlessly.

Since 2019, Kelly has significantly improved MITEI’s event planning process by implementing various streamlined systems and ensuring that its events are in alignment with MITEI’s strategic priorities.

A forward-looking and proactive thinker who goes the extra mile, Kelly’s colleagues praised her ability to manage tight deadlines calmly, thoughtfully, and respectfully. Her nominators say she is hard-working, prepared, and quick to take action when issues arise.

One in particular noted, “Kelly doesn’t see problems, she sees only challenges for which she will devise solutions.” Another puts it this way: “Simply put, you feel confident and secure when she’s in the driver’s seat.”

Edward Lau is recognized for his initiative and tireless work to secure funds and lead long-term projects for the betterment of the MIT Nuclear Reactor Laboratory. Ed joined the NRL in 1985, 40 years ago, as a graduate student in nuclear engineering and an operator trainee. And he has made his mark. He is credited with numerous upgrades to the facility over that time, including – as just one example – an upgrade of the nuclear safety system that was two decades in the making. The MIT reactor was the first in the United States to embark on a conversion to digital safety systems, and it was Ed who led the work to obtain the approval of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the system. 

As one nominator said, “In all his varied roles, Edward has always given generously of his time and talents to further the work of the lab and to help those around him.”

Steve Nagle has been a member of the MIT community since 1995, first as a student and later as an instructor, and in 2022 he accepted the challenge of creating our new T.J. Rodgers Electronics Prototyping Laboratory. Under his guidance, the lab’s  equipment, facilities, and services have become the envy of our peers. One nominator said, “He gives the illusion of being three people. He is unflappable and deals with every personality type with professionalism, instant service, and creative solutions that make it possible to conduct research at MIT in RLE at a pitch and tempo far greater than our competitors.”

Another nominator said, “We come to Steven with a crazy idea, then he helps us make it happen using his skills and expertise, then shares the results with the community.”

One nominator described Katherine Ware in this way: “You will not find anyone at MIT who knows more about grant administration than Katherine. 30 years in the business, working double-time, has made her a living, breathing Wikipedia page on federal grant management.”

They said, “You never get the run around with her, and she never leads you astray. You get solid, dependable, carve-it-in-stone solutions every time.”

As senior fiscal officer at the Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Katherine has managed a complex and demanding workload with exemplary organizational skills and deft strategic insight. In addition to her outstanding direct support of six principal investigators, nominators noted her contributions to developing complex, multi-institutional proposals such as the DOE FIRE proposals. Her colleagues praised her dedication to building a friendly, collaborative and approachable work environment that contributes to the center’s all-around success.

Emma Westling joined the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research in 2022 as a senior program administrator, and her colleagues call her irreplaceable. A responsive and attentive communicator, she holds herself to a high professional standard that shines through in every effort. Nominators highlighted her creative and inspiring work on an exhibit for the cancer center’s 50th anniversary and her efforts in organizing a new postdoctoral association for the Koch Institute, among other impactful projects.

One nominator wrote, “Emma is a major beacon of light and hope in our community, especially in this post-pandemic society we are still living in, where it is still way too common to disengage from or skip social interactions instead of participating in events that further strengthen our community. Emma’s relentless energy, passion and drive keep us connected.”

Yui Yashiro, from the Office of Corporate Relations, engages with MIT’s member companies and cultivates long-lasting relationships in a way that her colleagues call extraordinary.

The Office of Corporate Relations helps to build relationships between MIT researchers, startups, and corporations across the nation and world that drive innovation. 

Yui works tirelessly to understand the needs of our corporate partners and prospective partners, and connects them to the innovative research and resources available at MIT.

She has a 100%-member retention rate, which means not one company has left MIT after starting their engagement. Her colleagues attribute Yui’s success to creativity, strategic thinking, attention to detail, and outstanding communications skills.

Her many, many nominators told us that Yui has “demonstrated unwavering dedication and unparalleled professionalism throughout her tenure at MIT” and that “undoubtedly, she is one of the most valuable and inspiring ambassadors of the MIT brand.”

Members: Jon Schwarz, Fatema Binte Ahad, Andrew Bell, KB Burt, Ayn Cavicchi, Huey Chan, Weini Chen, John Daries, Kate Doria, Michael Ferguson, Greg Harris, Sonia Liou, Marc Uy, and Shirley Wong

MIT’s Institutional Research team is a group of exceptionally talented, service-oriented individuals in the Provost’s Office who are dedicated to collecting, maintaining, and providing high-quality data and analysis to the Institute’s leadership and the broader MIT community. Their projects also inform the public, government agencies, and peer consortia.

Known for their “infectious team spirit” and kind and can-do attitude, the IR team provides reliable, consistent, and accurate data to inform decision-making that has real-world impacts on campus and beyond.

Their historical institutional knowledge and careful analysis equip leaders and community members across MIT with essential information across a range of issues, including faculty recruitment and retention, accreditation, academic and research innovation, and quality of life on campus.

Their nominators consistently pointed out what an incredible resource the team is, with their deep expertise and responsive, adaptable, and principled approach to everything they do.

One colleague noted, “In my nearly ten years at MIT, I have never approached IR with a problem they couldn’t solve or a project they weren’t eager to help with. The entire team sets a very high bar for thought-partnership and collaboration; insightfulness and accountability; and bringing out the best in the colleagues and teams they support.”

Members: Christine Holland and Chantelle Marcial

Housing is a significant priority for our faculty members, and an important factor in their decision to pursue groundbreaking research at MIT. Luckily, we have Christine and Chantelle in the Provost’s Office to help navigate this complex and high-stakes process with their remarkable skill and deep institutional knowledge.

Faculty members have said that Christine and Chantelle bring clarity and confidence to a process that can be overwhelming, helping them untangle the intricacies of lending and financial assessment with individualized attention and a strategic approach.

Chantelle and Christine display an unwavering commitment to service, and they care deeply about their work and the people they serve. As one nominator put it, they embody the spirit of MIT, and they are “problem-solvers, trusted advisors, and compassionate professionals who make a profound difference to the MIT community.”