David A. Weitz
Harvard University
|
Primary Section: 33, Applied Physical Sciences Membership Type:
Member
(elected 2010)
|
Biosketch
Weitz received his PhD in physics from Harvard University and then joined Exxon Research and Engineering Company, where he worked for nearly 18 years. He then became a professor of physics at the University of Pennsylvania and moved to Harvard at the end of the last millennium as professor of physics and applied physics. He leads a group studying soft matter science with a focus on materials science, biophysics, biotechnology, microfluidics and flow in porous media. Several startup companies have come from his lab to commercialize research concepts.
Research Interests
I study soft condensed matter physics, with an emphasis on the relationship between structural and mechanical properties. Much of my work focuses on soft materials including colloids, emulsions, foams and gels. In doing these experiments I develop new measurements techniques to probe the properties of the materials. In addition, I study the mechanical properties of biomaterials and apply the knowledge learned to study properties of cells and tissues. I also use microfluidics both to create new soft materials, primarily for delivery applications, and for developing new applications for biotechnology and systems biology. The microfluidics work has focused on the use of multiphase flow to make emulsions using the precision control over fluid flow afforded by the microfluidic devices.
