Ariel L. Furst

Ariel L. Furst is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she bridges chemistry, biology, and materials science to develop innovative electrochemical solutions for healthcare, sustainability, and agriculture. Her research focuses on bioelectrochemistry, clinical diagnostics, and sustainable biotechnology, with a strong emphasis on surface chemistry and self-assembly.

• Ph.D., California Institute of Technology, 2015
• B.S., University of Chicago, 2010

Her work spans three primary research areas: bioelectrochemical sensing for diagnostics, electrochemical resource recovery for circular economies, and biomolecular engineering for sustainable technologies. She has pioneered DNA-based catalyst immobilization strategies and developed microbial systems for lanthanide recovery and climate-resilient agriculture.

Key trends in her publications reflect expertise in metal-phenolic networks, conductive polymers, and electrochemical biosensors, with applications in CO2 reduction, pesticide degradation, and low-cost diagnostic platforms. Her research integrates principles from enzyme-inspired design and materials engineering.

• C&EN: Talented Twelve, 2025
• Sloan Research Fellowship, 2025
• National Science Foundation CAREER Award, 2024
• NIH Director's New Innovator Award, 2023
• Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, 2023

As a mentor, Furst has guided students and postdocs in developing affordable diagnostic technologies and sustainable chemical processes. Her lab collaborates on projects ranging from microbial engineering to advanced sensor design, supported by grants from J-WAFS and the Beckman Fellowship. She leads interdisciplinary research teams focusing on negative emissions science and electrochemical innovation.