Research

Research Priorities: Network coding, information theory, wireless networks, optical networks

Muriel Médard is an information theorist and electrical engineer. Her research interests cover the fields of network coding and reliable communication, especially for optical and wireless networks. Her work on the Guessing Random Additive Noise Decoding (GRAND) algorithm, a universal decoder, is considered a breakthrough in the research of different codes’ behaviour and makes it possible to directly incorporate encryption into error-correcting code.

Muriel Médard is considered a network pioneer and is increasingly interested in the development of decoders using GRAND. These decoders use knowledge about white noise statistics to their advantage, for example for incorporating network coding in network protocols and their use for the development of new security tools, especially for post-quantum cryptography.

With the algorithm developed by Murial Médard, it is possible to investigate the behaviour of various codes, from random linear codes to a cyclical redundancy check (CRC) and cryptographic processes such as encryption method AES (Advanced Encryption Standard). GRAND facilitates an optimal decoding process regardless of code. Data protection can be improved even in unsecured environments with the combination of machine technology learning and coding.

Career

• since 2022 Professor, Software Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA
• 2014-2022 Cecil H. Green Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, EECS Department, MIT, Cambridge, USA
• 2008 Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, EECS Department, MIT, Cambridge, USA
• 2005-2008 Tenured Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, EECS Department, MIT, Cambridge, USA
• 2003-2005 Associate Professor without tenure, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, EECS Department, MIT, Cambridge, USA
• 2000-2003 Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, EECS Department, MIT, Cambridge, USA
• 1998-1999 Assistant Professor, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, USA
• 1995-1998 Associate, Lincoln Laboratory, MIT, Cambridge, USA
• 1995 Doctor of Science in Electrical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, USA
• 1991 Bachelor of Science in Humanities (Russian Studies), MIT, Cambridge, USA
• 1991 Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, USA
• 1989 Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, MIT, Cambridge, USA
• 1989 Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT, Cambridge, USA

Functions

• since 2021 Member, Board of Governors, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
• since 2021 Editor in Chief, IEEE Transactions on Information Theory
• 2021-2022 Peer Committee, National Academy of Engineering, USA
• since 2020 Member, Advisory Committee, Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), National Science Foundation (NSF), USA
• 2020-2021 Inaugural Chair, Mildred Dreselhaus Medal Committee, IEEE

Projects

• 2022-2025 Principal Investigator, “RINGS: Coding over High-Frequency for Absolute Post-Quantum Security (CHAPS)”, NSF, USA
• 2021-2024 Principal Investigator, “SWIFT:Facilitating Spectrum Access by Noise Guessing”, NSF, USA
• 2021-2022 DARPA GRAND, Defense Advanced Projects Agency (DARPA), USA
• 2020-2021 MIT-IBM-Watson AI Lab, MIT, Cambridge, USA   

Honours and Memberships

• since 2022 Member, German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Germany
• 2022 Honorary Doctorate, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
• 2022 IEEE Koji Kobayashi Computers and Communications Award, IEEE
• since 2021 Member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, USA
• 2021 Padovani Lecturer 2021, Information Theory Society, IEEE
• since 2020 Member, National Academy of Engineering, USA
• 2020 Honorary Doctorate, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
• 2018 Fellow, National Academy of Inventors, USA
• 2017 Aaron Wyner Distinguished Service Award, Information Theory Society, IEEE
• 2016 IEEE Vehicular Technology James Evans Avantgarde Award, Vehicular Technology Society, IEEE