MIT professor, Markus J. Buehler, was appointed recipient 2025 Washington AwardOne of the oldest and most estimated engineering honors in the country.
The Washington Award is conferred on “an engineer (s) whose professional achievements have advanced the well-being of humanity”, recognizing those who have had a deep impact on society thanks to engineering innovation. The former recipients of this prize include influential personalities such as Herbert Hoover, the inaugural recipient of the prize in 1919, as well as Orville Wright, Henry Ford, Neil Armstrong, John Bardeen and the renowned affiliates Mit Vannevar Bush, Robert Langer and the software engineer Margaret Hamilton.
Buehler was selected for its “revolutionary achievements in computer modeling and biological material mechanics, and its contributions to engineering in engineering and leadership in the academic world”. Buehler is the author of more than 500 publications evaluated by peers, pioneering the properties and structures at the atomic level of biomaterials such as silk, elastin and collagen, using computer modeling to characterize, design and create sustainable materials with characteristics covering nano to macro-scaling. Buehler was the first to explain how hydrogen bonds, molecular confinement and hierarchical architectures govern the mechanics of biological materials via the development of a theory that connects molecular interactions with macrosco-scale properties.
His innovative research includes the development of artificial intelligence methods aware of physics that integrate computer mechanics, bioinformatics and generator to explore the principles of universal design of biological and bonus materials. His work has advanced understanding of hierarchical structures in nature, revealing the mechanics by which complex biomaterials reach remarkable strength, flexibility and resilience through molecular interactions through the scales.
Buehler's research has included the use of in-depth learning models to predict and generate new protein structures, self-assembled peptides and lasting biomimetic materials. His work on material equipment – converting molecular structures into musical compositions – has provided new perspectives in hidden models within biological systems.
Buehler is the professor of Jerry McAfee (1940) in engineering in the departments of civil and environmental engineering (CEE) and mechanical engineering. He was head of ECE of the ministry from 2013 to 2020, as well as in other management positions, notably as president of the Society of Engineering Science.
Dedicated educator, Buehler played a vital role in the mentoring of future engineers, leading summer camps K-12 Stem To inspire the next generation and serve as an instructor for summer education summer education courses.
His achievements have been recognized with many prestigious honors, including the Feynman Prize, the Drucker medal, the Leonardo Da Vinci Prize and the JR Rice medal, and the election to the National Engineering Academy. His work continues to push the limits of computer science, material engineering and biomimetic design.
The Washington Award was awarded during the National Engineers Week in February, during a ceremony attended by eminent engineering companies, including the Western Society of Engineers; The American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers; The American Society of Civil Engineers; The American Society of Mechanical Engineers; the Institute of Electric and Electronic Engineers; The National Society of Professional Engineers; and the American Nuclear Society. The event also celebrated nearly 100 pre-university students recognized for their achievements in STEM regional competitions, highlighting the next generation of engineering talents.
