Harold Craighead

Harold Craighead is a Professor of Applied and Engineering Physics and the Charles Lake Jr. Chaired Professor of Engineering at Cornell University. He has held significant leadership roles including Director of the National Nanofabrication Facility, founding Director of the Nanobiotechnology Center, Principal Investigator for the Center on the Microenvironment and Metastasis, and Interim Dean of Engineering.

His research focuses on nano-scale devices and novel methods for cellular and biomolecular analysis. His work spans the fields of nanotechnology, biophysics, and biomedical engineering, with a strong emphasis on developing micro- and nanofabricated systems for biological applications.

Dr. Craighead is a member of both the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Inventors, recognizing his pioneering contributions to science and technology. He co-founded Nanofluidics, Inc., which evolved into Pacific Biosciences of California, a leader in single molecule DNA sequencing.

• Member, National Academy of Engineering
• Member, National Academy of Inventors

As a principal investigator and center director, Dr. Craighead has led major interdisciplinary research initiatives, securing substantial funding and mentoring a broad research team. His work bridges engineering, physics, and life sciences, contributing to both fundamental science and commercial innovation.

He is associated with key research centers at Cornell, including the Nanobiotechnology Center and the Center on the Microenvironment and Metastasis, where his lab develops cutting-edge tools for studying cellular behavior and disease mechanisms.