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Prominent Figures at MIT: Melissa Smith, PhD Class of 2012

MIT Lincoln Laboratory's associate leader, Melissa Smith, firmly advocates for collective effort in her own tasks, those of her colleagues, and the groundbreaking studies conducted by MIT academic staff and students. She values teamwork highly.

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MIT Lincoln Laboratory's Associate Leader, Melissa Smith, advocates for collective efforts in her...
MIT Lincoln Laboratory's Associate Leader, Melissa Smith, advocates for collective efforts in her own projects, her colleagues' endeavors, and the groundbreaking research conducted by MIT professors and students, emphasizing the significant role of collaboration.

Prominent Figures at MIT: Melissa Smith, PhD Class of 2012

Melissa 'MIT Maverick' Smith PhD '12: The Mastermind Behind Technology Breakthroughs

Melissa Smith, a cutting-edge innovator with a passion for collaboration, is an associate leader in the Advanced Materials and Microsystems Group at MIT Lincoln Laboratory. Her squad, nestled within the laboratory's Advanced Technology Division, champions innovation across various domains that include computation, aerospace, optical systems, and bioengineering. This dynamic crew employs micro- and nanofabrication methods to push boundaries and solve real-world problems.

A distinguished inventor of 11 patents, Melissa values the power of teamwork, drawing on her fellow Lincoln Laboratory colleagues, MIT professors, and students to achieve breakthroughs. As a research institution, Lincoln Laboratory focuses on applied research, empowering staff to tackle specific problems with a deadline-driven approach. The lab's diverse divisions house a myriad of experts - from biologists to cybersecurity researchers - working concurrently on diverse projects. Melissa cherishes the versatility of her group's work, which permeates programs across the lab. "We're like the Swiss Army knife of technological problem solvers," Melissa says, highlighting their work on projects ranging from picosatellites, smart textiles, to microrobots.

2012: The First Step

In 2012, Melissa graduated with a PhD from the MIT Department of Materials Science & Engineering (DMSE). She spent the following nine months at MIT as a postdoc before joining IBM as an engineer. To maintain her ties with her alma mater, Melissa preserved a research affiliation with MIT, continuing to work on patents and papers. In 2015, Melissa formally returned to MIT as a technical staff member at Lincoln Laboratory. In 2020, she was appointed assistant group leader and awarded the laboratory's Best Invention Award for "Electrospray devices and methods for fabricating electrospray devices" (U.S. Patent 11,708,182 B2). By 2024, she had earned the rank of associate group leader.

Management that Matters

In her role, management is a key responsibility. Melissa credits Lincoln Laboratory for nurturing individuals with backgrounds in both academia and technology, teaching them to manage programs and teams effectively. Her success across both the corporate and academic spaces - realms brimming with deadlines and collaboration - positions her as an inspiring figure, encouraging her team to innovate and excel. She keeps her team running smoothly by alleviating potential obstacles, allowing them to concentrate on their projects. Melissa prioritizes tasks crucial to her group's success, such as writing grant proposals, a skill she honed while working at the lab, enabling her staff to focus on their technical work.

Team of Champions

A fervent believer in the power of teamwork, Melissa encourages new team members to keep an open mind. "Discover something new from everyone you encounter," she advises. "The wealth of experience and knowledge among your colleagues at MIT is boundless." Whether it's learning new skills, gaining fresh perspectives, or forming lasting relationships, MIT provides a unique blend of professional and personal growth opportunities. Melissa emphasizes, "Be true to yourself, do what you do best, and never stop running."

Proud to Break the Mold

Q: What project at MIT are you the proudest of?

Melissa: We're crafting a wafer-scale satellite, a concept initially proposed in the 1960s. Today's technology makes it possible to realize this microspace system. Initially considered "out-there," I was tasked with fleshing out the project. Despite skepticism, my team and colleagues tackle challenges, gradually breaking down barriers to prove its viability. Our work on this project has led to a recent patent application, and we've even managed to convert a few skeptics along the way.

Q: What are your favorite campus memories from when you were a student?

Melissa: As a graduate student, I loved gathering at Muddy Charles Pub in Walker Memorial with friends. I remember gazing out of the windows at the top of Walker Memorial over the Charles River, watching the breathtaking sunsets after exams. During the Independent Activities Period, I learned how to snowboard - a new experience for a native Illinoian. MIT fosters curiosity and encourages individuals to explore and grow, whether that means forging academic advancements or pursuing personal passions.

Q: What do you like the most about the culture at MIT?

Melissa: MIT fosters professional growth. The caliber of our staff goes beyond expectations, with many advancing to notable positions at prestigious institutions like the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Raytheon after their time at the institute. Our professors excel too, as evidenced by their dynamic research work, while entrepreneurial ventures flourish within our walls. At MIT, we support innovation and embrace the freedom to explore and experiment, creating an environment that transcends the typical academic setting.

  1. Melissa Smith, an associate leader at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, oversees a team that champion innovation across various domains, working collaboratively with Lincoln Laboratory colleagues, MIT professors, and students.
  2. The Advanced Technology Division at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, where Melissa's team resides, houses a myriad of experts from diverse fields like computation, aerospace, optical systems, and bioengineering.
  3. Melissa's group employs micro- and nanofabrication methods to push boundaries and solve real-world problems, often working on projects that span various programs within the lab.
  4. In 2015, Melissa returned to MIT as a technical staff member at Lincoln Laboratory and was later appointed assistant group leader in 2020 and associate group leader in 2024.
  5. As a manager, Melissa alleviates potential obstacles to keep her team running smoothly and prioritizes tasks crucial to their success, such as writing grant proposals.
  6. Melissa values the power of teamwork and encourages new members to keep an open mind, citing the wealth of experience and knowledge among colleagues at MIT as boundless.
  7. The team is currently working on a wafer-scale satellite project, converting initial skepticism into proof of the project's viability and even securing a recent patent application.
  8. MIT fosters professional growth, with a caliber of staff that often advances to notable positions at prestigious institutions like the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Raytheon.
  9. For Melissa, MIT supports creativity, consumer-driven research, and experimentation, creating an environment that transcends the typical academic setting.

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