Rett syndrome is a devastating developmental disorder, principally occurring in girls, caused by mutations in the gene MECP2. The disorder leads to severe cognitive, motor, and other symptoms. The March 10 approval by the FDA of the first-ever treatment for the disorder, a drug called Trofinetide based on the natural protein IGF-1, brings new hope to patients and their families. The approval is also a dream come true for BCS and Picower  Mriganka Sur. His lab’s preclinical discoveries in mice provided the first demonstration that injecting IGF-1 or its peptide fragment could reverse the effects of reduced or altered MECP2.

BCS professor John Gabrieli has been selected as an MIT MacVicar Faculty Fellow. The MacVicar Fellows Program is a highly competitive award recognizing MIT faculty who have made exemplary and sustained contributions to the teaching of undergraduates. "As we gathered materials for this nomination, I was deeply moved by the impact John has made on generations of students; his love of teaching and empathy for his students shone through," says BCS department head Michale Fee. "John has also contributed significantly to improving teaching across MIT through many activities."

At first glance, aerospace engineering and brain and cognitive sciences may seem like an unlikely match for a double major. But for Elissa Gibson, the common thread connecting the two inherently different disciplines is clear: the human factor, by way of aviation.