Langer a finalist for Millennium Technology Prize

Institute Professor Robert Langer
MIT Institute Professor Robert Langer has been chosen as a finalist for the Millennium Technology Prize, the world's largest prize for technology innovation.

Langer was chosen "for his inventions and development of innovative biomaterials for controlled drug release and tissue regeneration that have saved and improved the lives of millions of people," according to the Technology Academy Finland, which gives the award every other year.

The award goes to developers of a technology that "significantly improves the quality of human life, today and in the future."

This year's winner will be announced June 11. Winners receive 800,000 euros, and the other finalists each receive 115,000 euros.

Andrew Viterbi '56, SM '57, founder of Qualcomm, is also a finalist. He was honored for creating an algorithm that became "the key building element in modern wireless and digital communications systems, touching lives of people everywhere," according to the Technology Academy Finland.

The other finalists are Alec Jeffreys, who developed DNA fingerprinting techniques, and a trio of scientists who developed an optical amplifier that transformed telecommunications: David Payne, Emmanuel Desurvire and Randy Giles.

Previous winners include Tim Berners-Lee, creator of the World Wide Web and senior research scientist at MIT, and Shuji Nakamura, inventor of light-emitting diodes.

MIT retirees' scholarship fund makes first award

A desire on behalf of MIT retirees to stay current and connected with the Institute and its students inspired the advisory committee of the MIT Retirees Association to establish the MIT Retirees Undergraduate Scholarship Fund in 2006. The fund serves as a way for retirees to express their appreciation to MIT and the many colleagues, mentors and friends who enriched their MIT experiences, and to contribute to MIT's future excellence by providing financial assistance to an undergraduate.

The fund recently awarded its first scholarship to senior Laura Harris. Harris is the granddaughter of the late Paul J. Harris, who worked at Lincoln Lab for more than 50 years until his retirement.

"I remember that my grandfather often tried to share his passions for science with me and my sister. Maybe this award will inspire other MIT employees and retirees to share their passions with their children and grandchildren, like my grandfather did with me. I'm sure he would have been very proud that I followed in his footstep," said Harris, who majors in computer science and engineering and plans to pursue a master's degree next year.

Gifts to the scholarship fund may be made without designation or in appreciation or memory of a colleague, mentor or loved one or to celebrate a milestone or professional or personal achievement. For more information about the MIT Retirees Association or the scholarship fund, visit web.mit.edu/retireesassoc or contact Jane Griffin (griffin@mit.edu),