Jeff Nivala

Jeff Nivala is an Assistant Professor in the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington and co-director of the Molecular Information Systems Lab (MISL). His interdisciplinary work merges computer science with biological systems, focusing on molecular-scale technological interfaces.

His academic trajectory includes:

• Undergraduate studies: Washington Research Foundation Fellow in David Baker's lab at the University of Washington
• Ph.D.: California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3) Graduate Student Fellow in the UCSC Nanopore Group with Mark Akeson at the University of California, Santa Cruz
• Postdoctoral research: In George Church's laboratory at Harvard Medical School

Dr. Nivala's research pioneers molecular data storage systems, synthetic biology tool development, and genomic/proteomic interface technologies. His work explores computational frameworks for programming biological molecules and creating hybrid bio-digital systems, emphasizing practical applications in information storage and biological engineering.

His distinguished recognitions include:

• NSF CAREER Award (2023)
• Falling Walls Foundation Breakthrough Prize in Art & Science (2022)
• Forbes Magazine 30 Under 30 in science (2017)
• California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences Fellowship
• Washington Research Foundation Fellowship

As an educator, Dr. Nivala mentors prospective graduate students through the UW Computer Science & Engineering PhD program and Molecular Engineering PhD program, while actively recruiting postdoctoral researchers for interdisciplinary projects. His lab emphasizes collaborative, boundary-crossing research between computer science and molecular biology.

He co-leads the Molecular Information Systems Lab (MISL), fostering innovation at the convergence of computer science, synthetic biology, and nanotechnology through partnerships across academia and industry.