Daniela Rus

Daniela Rus serves as the Andrew (1956) and Erna Viterbi Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT, where she directs the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and serves as Deputy Dean of Research for the Schwarzman College of Computing. After earning her PhD in Computer Science from Cornell University and teaching at Dartmouth College, she has established herself as a leader in robotics and artificial intelligence research. Her groundbreaking work focuses on developing autonomous systems and networked robotics, exploring how multiple machines can collaborate effectively. Her research spans diverse applications including transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, underwater exploration, and smart cities. Her exceptional contributions have earned numerous prestigious honors, including the MacArthur Fellowship (2002), Engelberger Robotics Award, and membership in both the National Academy of Engineering and American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Through her leadership of the Toyota-CSAIL Joint Research Center and service on multiple advisory boards including the Defense Innovation Board, she continues to shape the future of robotics and artificial intelligence while advancing human-centered autonomous systems.