With decades of experience working across the Laboratory’s R&D areas, Choi brings a focus on collaboration, technical excellence, and unity.
June 27, 2024
A portrait of Melissa Choi standing outside of the Laboratory's main entrance.
Melissa Choi, who has devoted her career to Lincoln Laboratory for nearly 25 years, has been named the Laboratory’s new director. Photo: Glen Cooper

Melissa Choi has been named the next director of MIT Lincoln Laboratory, effective July 1.

Sharing the news in a letter to MIT faculty and staff today, MIT Vice President for Research Ian Waitz noted Choi’s 25-year career of “outstanding technical and advisory leadership,” both at MIT and in service to the defense community.

Choi has served as assistant director of Lincoln Laboratory since 2019, with oversight of five of the Laboratory’s nine technical divisions, and previously led the Homeland Protection and Air Traffic Control Division. Engaging deeply with the needs of the broader defense community, Choi served for six years on the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, with a term as vice chair, and was appointed to the DoD’s Threat Reduction Advisory Committee. She is currently a member of the national Defense Science Board’s Permanent Subcommittee on Threat Reduction.

Having dedicated her entire career to the Laboratory, Choi says her long tenure reflects a commitment to the Laboratory’s work and community.

“Through my career, I have been fortunate to have had incredibly innovative and motivated people to collaborate with as we solve critical national security challenges,” Choi says. “Continuing to work with such a strong, Laboratory-wide team as director is one of the most exciting aspects of the job for me.”

Choi succeeds Eric Evans, who will step down on June 30 after 18 years as director.

Read the full story at MIT News.

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