David A. Weitz
BSc Physics ‘73
Professor, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
After earning his PhD in physics from Harvard University, Professor Weitz 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 until his most recent appointment to Harvard University as Mallinckrodt Professor of Physics & Applied Physics and Professor of Systems Biology.
He leads a group studying soft matter science with a focus on materials science, biophysics, microfluidics and biotechnology. He is director of Harvard’s Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, funded by the National Science Foundation. Dr. Weitz is the co-director of the BASF Advanced Research Initiative at Harvard, co-director of the Harvard Kavli Institute for Bionano Science & Technology, and director of the Harvard Materials Research Science & Engineering Center. He is best known for his work in the areas of diffusing-wave spectroscopy, microrheology, microfluidics, rheology, fluid mechanics, and many more. Prof. Weitz is a very active entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of many companies, including one of the most well-known microfluidics company RainDance. Another company that he founded, GnuBio—an innovative desktop DNA sequencer, recently acquired by Biorad. Prof. Weitz is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.