Hello!
I’m Devora. I’m a bioengineer and researcher. My work has focused on novel sensor technologies for low-resource pathogen monitoring efforts in community contexts. I’ve developed CRISPR-based biosensors to allow for improved decentralized detection of emergent diseases and immunity. My work has also focused on how local knowledge can inform and augment the use of novel sensors for improved ecological monitoring.
Since 2018, I’ve worked with members of the Rongomaiwahine iwi on the Māhia Peninsula in Aotearoa New Zealand to design and implement sensors for tracking water quality within the Horokaka mātaitati, a protected area of ocean where Māori tangata whenua manage all noncommercial fishing. This project has been supported in part by the National Geographic Society.
I received a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from The Cooper Union and a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2022, working under Joe Paradiso (Responsive Environments Group) and Jim Collins on novel CRISPR-based biosensors for low-resource pathogen detection. During my time at MIT, I also became interested in creative learning and education, leading the development and implementation of a wide range of outreach programming.
In my free time, you can find me on the pottery wheel, cooking & baking, playing tennis, and volunteering for educational and environmental programming.
let’s work together - devoranajjar@gmail.com
HOME.
Cambridge MA (now)
New York NY (before)
SCHOOL.
MIT Media Lab - Ph.D., media arts + sciences
MIT Media Lab - M.Sc., media arts + sciences
Cooper Union - B.Sc., chemical engineering
WORK.
Currently:
Scientist @ Externa Biosciences
Previously:
Sherlock Biosciences
Wyss Institute - Collins Group, CRISPR-based biosensors
MIT Media Lab - Esvelt Group, ecological engineering
Cooper Union - honey bee biome
Cambridge MA (now)
New York NY (before)
SCHOOL.
MIT Media Lab - Ph.D., media arts + sciences
MIT Media Lab - M.Sc., media arts + sciences
Cooper Union - B.Sc., chemical engineering
WORK.
Currently:
Scientist @ Externa Biosciences
Previously:
Sherlock Biosciences
Wyss Institute - Collins Group, CRISPR-based biosensors
MIT Media Lab - Esvelt Group, ecological engineering
Cooper Union - honey bee biome
