Alexander Rakhlin Appointed Director of MIT Statistics and Data Science Center
Pioneer in machine learning and statistics takes helm at MIT SDSC.
1MIT's new data science leader
Alexander 'Sasha' Rakhlin has been named the new director of MIT's Statistics and Data Science Center (SDSC). A professor in Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Distinguished Professor at IDSS, Rakhlin succeeds Ankur Moitra. Recognized as one of the world's leading theorists in machine learning and statistics, Rakhlin has mentored over 75 PhD students through MIT's interdisciplinary doctoral program. His appointment signals MIT's commitment to advancing data science across disciplines.
2Vision for interdisciplinary education
Under Rakhlin's leadership, SDSC will promote statistical methods across fields ranging from economics to physics. The center will build on successful collaborations demonstrating how statistical thinking accelerates progress in areas from biology to nuclear fusion. Rakhlin aims to position SDSC as the crossroads where students and faculty from MIT's diverse departments converge to solve complex problems through data science.
3Preparing for the AI revolution
Rakhlin emphasizes that statistics will become increasingly crucial as AI enters medicine and energy sectors. He identifies statistical methods as foundational to AI safety and reliability, focusing on quantifying uncertainty and understanding failure modes. Rakhlin believes SDSC's structure makes it uniquely positioned to address these emerging challenges at the intersection of statistics and artificial intelligence.
4Academic background and achievements
After earning degrees in mathematics and computer science from Cornell, Rakhlin completed his PhD at MIT. Following positions at Berkeley and University of Pennsylvania, he returned to MIT in 2018. Known for his work in machine learning theory, Rakhlin has pioneered research exploring connections between statistics and game theory. His theoretical contributions have shaped contemporary understanding of algorithmic learning.
5IDSS's strategic role
SDSC operates within MIT's Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS). IDSS director Fotini Christia notes Rakhlin's combination of theoretical brilliance and mentoring ability makes him the ideal leader. As inaugural holder of the Distinguished Professorship established in 2025, Rakhlin continues the legacy of operations research pioneer Richard Larson, whose vision and generosity created the endowed position.
6Transformative educational impact
The Interdisciplinary PhD in Statistics (IDPS), chaired by Rakhlin, trains students from across MIT in statistical methods. Having overseen over 75 PhD defenses, including in Social and Engineering Systems, Rakhlin has fostered applications of data science across disciplines. The program exemplifies MIT's approach to breaking down academic silos through shared quantitative methods.
7Industrial applications and influence
During Rakhlin's directorship, SDSC is expected to focus on AI applications in healthcare, energy, and public policy. The center will strengthen statistical methods' role in industrial processes, leveraging MIT's traditional strengths in system optimization and queueing theory. These efforts align with growing industry demand for rigorous data science approaches to complex systems.
8The future of data science
Rakhlin's leadership represents a strategic move to reinforce MIT's global position in data science and AI. By describing statistics as 'MIT's shared language,' Rakhlin champions interdisciplinary applications of statistical thinking to accelerate scientific discovery. This vision proves critical as data-driven decision making gains prominence across academia, industry, and policymaking worldwide.