David Doty is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of California, Davis . His research focuses on the intersection of molecular systems and computation , exploring how natural processes like chemical reactions , DNA nanotechnology , and self-assembly can perform computation. He also investigates connections to theoretical computer science, including distributed computing and algorithmic information theory . Doty's work bridges physics , chemistry , and biology through rigorous computational models like the Tile Assembly Model and Population Protocols . His research program includes software development ( scadnano , ppsim ), theoretical analysis, and collaborations with experimentalists. He teaches courses on theory of computation and molecular computing , and has advised numerous students in his research group. His publications cover topics such as algorithmic self-assembly , chemical reaction networks , and thermodynamic binding networks , with a focus on understanding fundamental computational and physical limits. Key software tools developed by his group include scadnano for DNA design and ppsim for population protocol simulations. Doty's recent research trends explore rate-independent chemical computing , error correction , and stochastic modeling in molecular systems. Current academic activity includes teaching ECS 120 (Undergraduate Theory of Computation), ECS 220 (Graduate Theory of Computation), and ECS 232 (Theory of Molecular Computation). He maintains a research lab in 2306 Academic Surge and continues to publish in leading conferences like DNA Computing and CMSB .






