Munther Dahleh

Munther A. Dahleh, the William A. Coolidge Professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT, has established himself as a leading figure in control theory and networked systems since joining MIT in 1987. After receiving his PhD from Rice University in electrical and computer engineering, he has made transformative contributions to the field, serving as the founding director of the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society from 2015 to 2023. His groundbreaking research spans robust control theory, networked systems analysis, and the development of computational methods for controller design. Dahleh's work has earned him numerous accolades, including four George Axelby outstanding paper awards and the Donald P. Eckman award for best control engineer under 35. His research interests encompass networked systems theory, social network analysis, systemic risk detection, and transportation systems optimization. He has pioneered work in L1 optimal control problems and developed foundational theories for information propagation in large dynamic networks. Beyond his academic contributions, Dahleh has held consulting positions with various companies and has been instrumental in advancing the understanding of complex systems, from autonomous vehicles to power grids. His current work focuses on the intersection of physical and information networks, the economics of data, and the development of real-time markets for digital goods, making him a key figure in shaping the future of networked systems and control theory.