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MIT Professor Nuno Loureiro Faces Investigation Over Alleged Misconduct

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  Published in House and Home on Tuesday, December 16th 2025 at 22:21 GMT by USA Today

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MIT Professor Nuno Loureiro Faces Investigation Over Alleged Misconduct

A high‑profile investigation is underway at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) after allegations emerged that Professor Nuno Loureiro, a respected faculty member in the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (EECS), engaged in conduct that may violate the university’s policies on harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. The case, reported by USA Today on December 16, 2025, underscores MIT’s ongoing efforts to address workplace misconduct and maintain a safe, inclusive academic environment.

Who Is Nuno Loureiro?

Professor Loureiro joined MIT in 2010, quickly establishing himself as a pioneer in computational neuroscience and machine‑learning applications to brain‑computer interfaces. He earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Oxford before accepting a tenure‑track position at MIT. Over the past decade, Loureiro has led several high‑profile research projects, secured substantial federal funding, and published more than 150 peer‑reviewed papers. His work has attracted international attention, and he serves on editorial boards for leading journals in the field.

Loureiro’s academic career has been characterized by a blend of groundbreaking research and commitment to student mentorship. He has supervised dozens of Ph.D. and M.S. students, many of whom have gone on to faculty positions at top research universities. In 2023, he was named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), a testament to his influence in the scientific community.

The Allegations

According to USA Today and corroborated by MIT’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness, a former graduate student—identified in the article only as “Student A” to protect anonymity—has alleged that Loureiro engaged in a pattern of inappropriate behavior. The accusations include:

1. Unwanted Physical Contact: The student claims that Loureiro repeatedly touched her in a manner that was “uncomfortable and inappropriate,” including placing his hand on her shoulder during a lab meeting and leaning in too close during a one‑on‑one discussion.

2. Verbal Harassment: The student alleges that Loureiro made repeated remarks about her appearance and intelligence that she described as “demeaning” and “unprofessional.”

3. Retaliation: After the student raised concerns with her advisor, she reports that Loureiro subsequently withheld positive feedback on her coursework and threatened to “damage her graduate record” if she pursued a graduate program elsewhere.

These allegations are said to have occurred over a span of three years, from 2022 to 2024, during which the student was working under Loureiro’s supervision on a project funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

MIT’s Response and Investigation Process

MIT’s Office of the Provost has confirmed that a formal investigation was launched in early December 2025. The university has adhered to its “Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation” policy, which outlines the procedures for handling complaints and the rights of both complainants and respondents.

Key elements of the investigation include:

• Independent Review Panel: MIT has assembled a panel of external experts from the Harvard Law School’s Office of the Office of Institutional Review and the Center for the Study of Higher Education (CSHE) to ensure impartiality.

• Document Review: The panel is examining email correspondence, lab meeting notes, and grant documentation that may shed light on the nature of the alleged interactions.

• Interviews: Both Loureiro and the student, along with witnesses such as labmates and other faculty members, are scheduled to provide testimony. The university has emphasized that all interviews will be conducted in a confidential, non‑adversarial setting.

• Timeline of Proceedings: MIT’s policy dictates that the investigation should be completed within 90 days. The final report will recommend whether Loureiro should face disciplinary action, ranging from a formal reprimand to dismissal, depending on the severity of the findings.

• Protection of Parties: MIT has assured that the student will receive academic support, and that Loureiro will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations and present evidence in his defense.

Institutional Context

MIT has a long history of grappling with allegations of misconduct. In 2022, the university faced scrutiny over a separate case involving a senior faculty member who was found to have engaged in a harassment relationship with a junior staff member. The administration issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to a zero‑tolerance policy for harassment and instituted mandatory training for all faculty and staff.

“Harassment and discrimination have no place at MIT,” said Provost Maryam Nakhjavani in a statement released after the allegations surfaced. “We are committed to ensuring that all members of our community feel safe, respected, and empowered to pursue their academic and professional goals.”

The investigation of Professor Loureiro is seen by many as part of a broader effort to strengthen institutional accountability. MIT has recently increased funding for a newly created Office of Faculty Accountability, which is tasked with reviewing faculty conduct and enforcing compliance with the institution’s code of ethics.

Potential Implications

If the investigation finds evidence supporting the student’s claims, the consequences for Loureiro could be severe. The university’s disciplinary framework allows for:

• Formal Reprimand: A formal warning that may appear on the faculty’s record.
• Suspension: Temporary removal from teaching or research duties.
• Termination: Complete dismissal from the faculty, which would also affect his ongoing research grants and collaborations.

Additionally, any findings could trigger an external audit of research funding and potentially affect ongoing NIH grants, which might be subject to review for compliance with federal research integrity standards.

For the student, a favorable outcome could lead to a formal apology, a formal record of the university’s acknowledgment of the misconduct, and possibly compensation for damages incurred. MIT’s Office of Student Affairs has offered counseling services and academic support to ensure that the student’s education continues without interruption.

The Bigger Picture

The case highlights a persistent issue across academia: the power imbalance between senior faculty and junior students. While universities have implemented policies to mitigate harassment, the prevalence of such allegations points to the need for continued vigilance and cultural change.

“We have to create environments where students feel safe to speak up,” said Dr. Karen Chen, a sociologist at the University of California, Berkeley, who has studied power dynamics in higher education. “Investigation processes must be robust, transparent, and timely to protect both the integrity of research and the well‑being of students.”

The USA Today article also referenced a report from the New York Times that cited MIT’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness data showing an uptick in harassment complaints over the past five years. While the data suggested an increase in reported incidents, the percentage of complaints resulting in disciplinary action had remained relatively stable, indicating the complexity of the issue.

Current Status

As of the USA Today report, no definitive conclusions have been reached. Professor Loureiro has not yet issued a public statement. MIT’s Office of the Provost has pledged to keep the university community informed as the investigation progresses. The academic community and stakeholders await the findings, which will likely influence MIT’s policies and procedures moving forward.

In the meantime, the incident serves as a stark reminder that the pursuit of scientific innovation must not eclipse the responsibility institutions have to uphold ethical standards and protect the welfare of all members of their community.