Manu PrakashView profile
Associate Professor
Manu Prakash is an Associate Professor of Bioengineering at Stanford University, with a courtesy appointment in Oceans and Biology, and a Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment. His research integrates physics, engineering, and biology to explore computation in biological systems, develop low-cost diagnostic tools (e.g., Foldscope), and address planetary challenges through citizen science. He leads the Prakash Lab, focusing on frugal science innovations, oceanography, and disease diagnostics. Education: Ph.D., MIT, Applied Physics (2008) M.S., MIT, Applied Physics (2004) B.Tech, Indian Institute of Technology, Computer Science (2002) Research Interests: Biological computation in single-cell organisms and non-neuronal systems Frugal science tools for global health and environmental monitoring Marine plankton behavior and ocean carbon sequestration Diagnostic technologies for malaria, tuberculosis, and other diseases His work emphasizes accessibility: projects like Foldscope ( foldscope.com ) and Planktoscope aim to democratize scientific inquiry. Advising & Collaborations: Labs: Prakash Lab, Foldscope Instruments Projects: Open-source ventilator design, N95 decontamination, and citizen science initiatives like Plankton Planet Focus areas include biophysical mechanisms of cellular motility and environmental sensors Labs & Teams: Prakash Lab: Combines engineering and biology to create affordable tools Planktoscope Initiative: Citizen-driven oceanography platform










