Seeking to enhance relationships between academia and industry, the Office of the Provost in 2024 introduced the Catalyst Professorship: a distinguished senior faculty role aimed at fostering collaboration with the private sector. Three prominent Harvard faculty have now been appointed Catalyst Professors: Doug Melton, a stem cell scientist; Boaz Barak, a theoretical computer physicist; and Michael Brenner, a scholar of applied mathematics.
“The Catalyst Professorships offer an important new approach to supporting academic excellence,” said President Alan M. Garber. “They acknowledge the ambitions of outstanding faculty who seek to drive progress across many fronts as they contribute to the fulfillment of our mission. Doug, Boaz, and Michael are distinguished teachers and researchers who have long inspired Harvard students and scientists. I am eager to see what they achieve in their new roles.”
“The Catalyst Professorship provides a terrific, innovative model for making our research ecosystem more porous and collaborative,” said provost John F. Manning. “The three distinguished inaugural professors provide an extraordinary proof of concept.”
“As the first opportunity of its kind at Harvard, the Catalyst Professorship offers a unique arrangement for exceptionally distinguished faculty to engage in external opportunities while maintaining their teaching commitments and contributions to Harvard’s academic mission,” said Judy Singer, senior vice provost for faculty.
