Merton Corson Flemings

Research centers  on solidification, materials processing and manufacturing. His work has led to a number of widely used industrial processes. Founded and directed the Center for Materials Processing at MIT (1979-1982). Was Head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT for 12 years (1982-1985). Was founding MIT director of MIT's distance education collaboration, SMA  (1991-1992) and led   the Lemelson-MIT Program (2001-2009), which has as its central mission raising the stature of inventors and innovators and fostering inventiveness amongst young people.

 He is currently treasurer of the SilkRoad, a nonprofit inspired and led by Yo-Yo Ma, and  is a director of several other profit and non-profit corporations.