Domitilla Del Vecchio

Professor Domitilla Del Vecchio is the Grover M. Hermann Professor in Health Sciences and Technology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), affiliated with the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Synthetic Biology Center. She conducts pioneering research at the intersection of engineering, mathematics, and biology, focusing on designing robust synthetic genetic circuits for cellular control and regenerative medicine.

• Ph.D. in Control and Dynamical Systems, California Institute of Technology (2005)
• Laurea in Electrical Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata (1999)

Her work addresses the unpredictability of biological circuits by developing context-aware design frameworks and feedback control mechanisms to ensure modular and scalable synthetic biology applications. Current projects include bio-sensing in bacteria, chromatin state control, and analog memory engineering in mammalian cells.

She has received numerous accolades, including:

• IEEE and IFAC Fellowships
• NSF CAREER and Understanding the Rules of Life Awards
• Bose Research Award
• Donald P. Eckman Award

Del Vecchio teaches courses such as 2.004 (Dynamics and Control), 2.151 (Advanced Dynamical System Analysis), and 2.18/6.057 (Design of Synthetic Biological Systems). Her collaborations span multiple disciplines, including aerospace, electrical engineering, and industry partnerships.