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Donald Baskin teaches Structural Materials Manufacturing at MIT. He focuses on structural optimization and lightweighting, aiming to design vehicle structures that reduce mass to improve fuel efficiency and decrease greenhouse gas emissions without compromising safety or structural performance. Prior to joining MIT, Baskin worked in the international automotive industry, including at Mercedes-Benz Materials Research Lab in Germany and Chrysler in Auburn Hills, Michigan. He held various positions focused on automotive body structure development, including structural optimization, finite element analysis, and product design. His work led to the launch of seven vehicles in high-volume production and resulted in publications in referred journals and a book chapter on lightweighting body structures. Baskin also worked with startups in the Boston area and with a DMSE spinout, Xtalic, where he contributed to developing highly corrosion- and wear-resistant coatings for electrical connectors. He holds a PhD in materials science and engineering from Northwestern University and a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Irvine.