Neil Gershenfeld

Neil Gershenfeld is the Director of MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms. His innovative laboratory merges the digital and physical realms, creating everything from molecular quantum computers to advanced musical instruments. Technologies developed in his lab have been utilised in diverse settings, including New York’s Museum of Modern Art, rural Indian villages, the White House, and community centres.

A prolific author, Neil has written numerous technical publications, patents, and books, including Fab, When Things Start to Think, and The Physics of Information Technology. He has been featured in prominent media outlets like The New York Times and The Economist.

Neil is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and was recognized as one of Scientific American’s 50 leaders in science and technology. He holds a BA in Physics with High Honors and an honorary Doctor of Science from Swarthmore College, and a PhD in Applied Physics from Cornell University.

He originated the global network of field fab labs for personal fabrication and directs the Fab Academy, promoting education in digital fabrication. Neil has presented keynotes at events including TED and the Library of Congress and has a diverse range of interests, including playing the bassoon and competitive swimming.