The MIT Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) has announced the appointment of Professor Benedetto Marelli as Associate Department Head and Chair of the Undergraduate Education Committee, effective July 1, 2026.

“Benedetto’s collaborative leadership style, commitment to CEE’s mission, and outstanding record of research and educational innovation make him exceptionally well suited for these roles,” said Ali Jadbabaie, Department Head and JR East Professor. “I look forward to seeing how our department and undergraduate program will continue to flourish under his leadership.”

As Associate Department Head, Marelli will join the department’s leadership council, supporting a broad range of administrative responsibilities including faculty promotion and departmental priorities. As Chair of the Undergraduate Education Committee, he will lead curriculum innovation, work to grow enrollment, and integrate entrepreneurship into CEE’s educational offerings.

Marelli is the director of the Wild Cards mission in the MIT Climate Project, an initiative focused on high-risk, high-payoff innovation that identifies underexplored solutions to advance human prosperity and planetary health. His research harnesses bio-inspired materials to address urgent challenges across the global food system, from improving crop efficiency and extending food freshness to detecting spoilage before it reaches consumers. His lab engineers innovative, sustainable solutions with the goal of reducing food waste, improving food safety, and strengthening food security for communities around the world.

“I am honored to take on this role and to contribute to CEE’s mission of educating the next generation of engineers and leaders,” said Marelli. “I look forward to working closely with faculty, students, and staff to strengthen our undergraduate program and advance the department’s goals.”

Beyond his academic work, Marelli has translated his research into real-world impact through Mori, a startup he cofounded that is tackling food waste.

The department also recognizes the exceptional contributions of Professor Saurabh Amin, the Edward K. Turner Professor, who served as Chair of the Undergraduate Education Committee since 2019. During his tenure, Amin streamlined core curriculum offerings, launched new lab subjects, and courses, guided the department through ABET accreditation, and led the Climate System Science and Engineering (Course 1-12) major to fruition, expanding CEE’s undergraduate offerings well beyond the department. “I’m deeply grateful for Saurabh’s vision, dedication, and unwavering leadership, which has transformed our undergraduate education,” added Jadbabaie.