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
| ALL | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | |
| 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 |
| 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 |
| 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 |
| 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 |
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 |
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 |
| 2015 |
- Amarquaye Armar; “Review of Cost Estimation for Chemical Engineering and the Application of Computers to That;” SM, 1978 (5/1/1978)
- Arthur Capstaff; “The Economic and Public Issues in Deep Ocean Mineral Mining;” SM, 1978 (5/1/1978)
- Paul Chernick; “Optimal Pricing for Peak Load and Joint Production: Theory and Application for Diverse Conditions;” SM, 1978 (5/1/1978)
- James Durand; “Policy Implications Derived from Assessment of Health and Environmental Costs of Photo-Voltaic Power;” SM, 1978 (5/1/1978)
- Andre Ghirardi; “Comsumption of Depletable Resources: Stockpiling as a Strategy;” SM, 1978 (5/1/1978)
- Kristopher Horvath; “A Systematic Analysis of the Implementation of Federal Regulatory Authority in the Oceans;” SM, 1978 (5/1/1978)
- Adam Jaffe; “Regulation of Chemicals: Product and Process Technology as a Determinant of the Compliance Response;” SM, 1978 (5/1/1978)
- Seyyed Khandani; “International Distribution of Energy Resources and Economic Growth;” SM, 1978 (5/1/1978)
- William Lee; “When values conflict : an application of multiattribute decision analysis to marine sand and gravel mining;” PhD, 1978 (6/1/1978) (Richard de Neufville)
- Philip Lorang; “Automobile Safety Regulation: Technological Change and the Regulation Process;” SM, 1978 (5/1/1978)
- Brian Mellea; “The Effectiveness of Regional Resource Committees in Implementing Regional Resource Recovery Programs;” SM, 1978 (5/1/1978)
- Shashikant Sharma; “Satellite Based Instructional Television for Rural Development in India: Some Policy Implications of Satellite Instructional Television Equipment;” SM, 1978 (5/1/1978)
- Jesse Tatum; “A Parametric Characterization of the Interface Between Dispersed Solar Energy Systems and the Utility Network;” SM, 1978 (5/1/1978)
- Jonathan Weiss; “The Role of Experts in Airport Planning;” SM, 1978 (5/1/1978)
