Undergraduate Practice Opportunities Program

Mentor and students interacting at a UPOP event

Douglas Hart

Douglas Hart

Faculty Co-Director, SoE TLC Programs
dphart@mit.edu

Doug is currently professor of mechanical engineering and co-director of the MIT Portugal Program. He is also a principal investigator in the Hatsopoulos Microfluids Laboratory.

A member of the MIT faculty since 1993, Doug received his bachelor’s degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the University of Illinois, his master’s degree in mechanical engineering from MIT, and his PhD in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology.

Doug is co-founder of three venture backed biotechnology companies, and serves as a technical advisor for multiple companies and professional organizations. With research interests including image processing and optical diagnostics relating to health and the environment, he has helped to advance the commercial development of technologies ranging from satellite propulsion and unmanned drones to surgical robots.

Doug has received numerous awards for his research and teaching including the Robert T. Knapp Award for his work in the area of flow diagnostics, the Keenan Award for Innovation in Education, and the Junior Bose Award for Excellence in Teaching.