We are thrilled to announce that Ragon faculty member Alex Shalek, PhD, has been appointed as the new Director of the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES) at MIT, effective August 1, 2024.

Shalek joined the Ragon Institute a decade ago, playing a pivotal role in advancing our mission. His innovative work spans genomics, chemical biology, and nanotechnology, focusing on understanding and engineering human immune responses in tissues both locally and internationally. This interdisciplinary approach has positioned him as a leader in developing new technologies to tackle complex disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies.

In addition to his new role as Director of IMES, Shalek holds the prestigious J. W. Kieckhefer Professorship in IMES and the Department of Chemistry at MIT. He is also affiliated with MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and holds positions at Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical School.

The Shalek Lab, known for its groundbreaking work in single-cell genomics and systems immunology, develops and applies experimental and computational platforms to examine and engineer human immune responses in tissues. Their research aims to transform preventions and cures for autoimmune, infectious, and cancerous diseases. By creating comprehensive profiling and manipulation tools, the lab systematically examines how cellular composition and communication underpin tissue function and dysfunction.

This appointment as Director of IMES is a testament to his exceptional contributions to scientific research, education, and mentorship.

Please join us in congratulating Shalek on this significant career milestone and in welcoming him to his new leadership role.