Chris Zegras, a professor specializing in mobility and urban planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has been appointed as the chief executive officer and director of the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), effective September 1. He replaces Bruce Tidor, who has been serving as interim CEO since January 2025. SMART, established in 2007 in partnership with Singapore's National Research Foundation, is MIT’s sole research center outside the United States and serves as a crucial platform for collaboration between MIT and Singapore's research community. Zegras, who has been part of the MIT faculty since 2005 and has led the Department of Urban Studies and Planning since 2020, aims to enhance SMART’s mission of interdisciplinary research and innovation. He has previously contributed to significant projects, including Singapore’s first public autonomous vehicle trials. Under his leadership, SMART plans to deepen collaboration among experts from the U.S. and Singapore, further strengthening its role in addressing pressing societal challenges through research and innovation.