MIT

Oct 19, 2026 UTC· 1 event in window

The only MIT-related development this period is the defamation verdict involving David Sabatini, a former Whitehead Institute researcher. A jury found that sexual misconduct allegations made by his ex-girlfriend Kristin Knouse were defamatory and awarded him $6 million. Sabatini, who once led a lab at MIT's Whitehead Institute, was ousted in 2021 after an investigation found he violated the institute's sexual harassment policy, and he resigned from MIT in 2022. Both parties are appealing.

• A jury ruled that Kristin Knouse's sexual misconduct allegations against David Sabatini were defamatory, awarding him $6 million.
• Sabatini once led a lab at MIT's Whitehead Institute; he was ousted in 2021 for violating its sexual harassment policy and resigned from MIT in 2022.
• Whitehead was dismissed from the lawsuit before trial, while MIT, Howard Hughes, and NYU were never on trial.
• Both Knouse and Sabatini are appealing, with Sabatini challenging the ruling that let Whitehead out of the case.