Manu Prakash

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