MIT Professor Markus Buehler Receives 2025 Washington Award

Markus J. Buehler, a distinguished professor at MIT, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Washington Award, marking a significant recognition of his contributions to engineering. This award, one of the nation’s oldest and most respected engineering honors, celebrates Buehler’s profound impact on society through his innovative work.

The Washington Award, established in 1919, is given to engineers whose professional achievements have notably advanced human welfare. Buehler joins a distinguished list of past recipients, including Herbert Hoover, Orville Wright, Henry Ford, Neil Armstrong, John Bardeen, and MIT affiliates Vannevar Bush, Robert Langer, and Margaret Hamilton.

Buehler’s selection is based on his groundbreaking work in computational modeling and the mechanics of biological materials, as well as his contributions to engineering education and academic leadership. He has authored over 500 peer-reviewed publications, pioneering the study of atomic-level properties and structures of biomaterials such as silk, elastin, and collagen. His work utilizes computational modeling to characterize, design, and create sustainable materials with features ranging from the nano- to macro- scales.

A key aspect of Buehler’s research is his development of physics-aware artificial intelligence methods that integrate computational mechanics, bioinformatics, and generative AI. This innovative approach allows for the exploration of universal design principles in biological and bioinspired materials. His research has significantly advanced the understanding of hierarchical structures in nature, revealing how complex biomaterials achieve strength, flexibility, and resilience through molecular interactions across different scales.

Buehler’s work also includes the use of deep learning models to predict and generate new protein structures, self-assembling peptides, and sustainable biomimetic materials. His exploration of materiomusic—converting molecular structures into musical compositions—offers novel insights into the hidden patterns within biological systems.

Currently, Buehler is the Jerry McAfee (1940) Professor in Engineering within the departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) and Mechanical Engineering at MIT. He previously served as the department head of CEE from 2013 to 2020, and has held leadership positions such as president of the Society of Engineering Science.

Committed to education, Buehler has played a vital role in mentoring future engineers, leading K-12 STEM summer camps, and instructing MIT Professional Education summer courses.

His numerous accolades include the Feynman Prize, the Drucker Medal, the Leonardo da Vinci Award, the J.R. Rice Medal, and election to the National Academy of Engineering. Buehler’s ongoing work continues to expand the boundaries of computational science, materials engineering, and biomimetic design.

The Washington Award was presented during National Engineers Week in February, in a ceremony attended by members of prominent engineering societies, including the Western Society of Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers. The event also celebrated nearly 100 pre-college students recognized for their achievements in regional STEM competitions.