Theses

TPP student research spans many domains, but shares methodologies and goals. Examples of award-winning theses and noteworthy research projects are shared here. We also maintain a public database of all TPP thesis titles, with links to web publications where available.

Award-Winning Theses and Student Research Stories

2023 Thesis Prize Winner

• Maja Svanberg; “The Economic Advantage of Computer Vision Over Human Labor, and Its Market Implications” (2023). Advisor(s): Neil Thompson.

2022 Thesis Prize Winners

• Farri T. Gaba; “Solutions to the Generalized UAV Delivery Routing Problem for Last-Mile Delivery with Societal Constraints” (2022). Advisor(s): Matthias Winkenbach
• Jonathan Garrett Novak; “Policy and Design Courses of Action to Improve Resilience of Proliferated Low Earth Orbit Constellations Against Adverse Solar Weather” (2022). Advisor(s): Daniel E Hastings.
• Aaron Matthew Schwartz; “The Role of Natural Gas in Future Low-Carbon Energy Systems” (2022). Advisor(s): Dharik S Mallapragada.

2021 Thesis Prize Winner

Karan Bhuwalka, recent TPP alum who won best thesis in 2021, reflects on TPP’s interdisciplinary approach and bringing data science, manufacturing, and social issues together in his research on the materials that make up electric vehicles.

• Assessing the Socio-Economic Risks in Electric Vehicle Supply Chains (Thesis)
• Characterizing the Changes in Material Use due to Vehicle Electrification (Environmental Science & Technology, Jul 2021)

Do native ads shape our perception of the news?: Manon Revel

Often masquerading as legitimate news, so-called “native” ads, pushed by content recommendation networks, have brought badly needed revenue to the struggling U.S. news industry. But at what cost? TPP alum Manon Revel is now a PhD student in the IDSS Social and Engineering Systems PhD program. Her TPP thesis advisor was Prof. Ali Jadbabaie.

• Combining AI with passions (MIT News, March 2019)

Health Savings of Renewable Energy: Emil Dimanchev

Research from TPP alum Emil Dimanchev, who won TPP’s best thesis award in 2019, found that health savings from cleaner air would more than pay for the cost of implementing renewable energy policies. His thesis was advised by TPP director Noelle Selin.

• Shift to renewable electricity a win-win at statewide level (MIT News, Aug 2019)

Thesis Database

Thesis Titles, 1977 to 2015

• Crispiniano Acosta; “A System Dynamics Approach to the Philippine Insurgency Problem;” SM, 1991 (5/1/1991)
• Roger Alexander; “A Protocol For High Speed Optical Networks From A Basis Of Satellite Protocol Designs;” SM, 1991 (5/1/1991)
• Ellen Banaghan; “Developing Performance Indicators for Complex Organizations: A Case Study in Nuclear Power;” SM, 1991 (5/1/1991)
• Paul Chan; “Toward Understanding The Emergence of a New Technology: The Case of Electric Propulsion;” SM, 1991 (2/1/1991)
• Christophe Chazot; “Optimal Policies for Scalpers as Market Makers in Automated Markets with Markovian Price Dynamics;” SM, 1991 (2/1/1991)
• Usman Ghani; “Technologies and Policies for the Integration of Financial Services Industry Across the European Communities;” SM, 1991 (5/1/1991)
• Daniel Greenberg; “Potential for Reducation of Acid Rain Emissions from New England's Electric Power System: An Analysis of Selected Strategies;” SM, 1991 (9/1/1990)
• Charles Haldeman; “An Analytical Framework for Evaluating Public Policy in a Competitiveness Context: 'Total Quality Management' in Massachusetts State Government;” SM, 1991 (9/1/1990)
• Ann Hatcher; “The Negawatt Dilemma: Electric Utilities and the Least Cost Planning Collaboration;” SM, 1991 (5/1/1991)
• Dominique Kaul; “The Queue Inference Engine and Private Land Mobile Radio Systems;” SM, 1991 (5/1/1991)
• Paul Koch; “Broadening the Environmental Scope of Design: A Policy for More Effective Undergraduate Engineering Education at MIT;” SM, 1991 (9/1/1990)
• Jaime Maldonado; “Strategic Planning: An Approach to Improving Airport Planning Under Uncertainty;” SM, 1991 (9/1/1990)
• Ann Minzner Conley; “Chemical Accident Prevention: An Analysis of Current Practices andPolicy Recommendations for the Future;” SM, 1991 (9/1/1990)
• Madhusudan Nott; “Global Warming: Avoiding Past Problems;” SM, 1991 (5/1/1991)
• Joseph Raguso; “Designing A Technology Policy for Innovation in Flat Panel Displays: Overcoming Ideology, Uncertainty, and Imperfect Information to Achieve Economic Growth;” SM, 1991 (5/1/1991)
• Jerrard Sheehan; “Commercialization and Transfer of Technology in the U.S. Jet Aircraft Engine Industry;” SM, 1991 (5/1/1991)
• John Smith; “Index Content Analysis with Enhanced Data Reduction;” SM, 1991 (2/1/1991)
• Jan Van Acker; “Concentration in U.S. Air Transportation: An Analysis of Origin-Destination Markets Since Deregulation;” SM, 1991 (5/1/1991)
• Bridget Vignos; “Influence of Environmental Regulation on Automobile Materials Substitution Decisions - The Plastic Fuel Tank;” SM, 1991 (5/1/1991)
• Marguerite Wagner; “The Superfund Innovative Technology Program: Is It Fostering New and Innovative Remedial Technologies;” SM, 1991 (5/1/1991)