Hi, I'mXiangtao Shi.

I'm a graduate student in the Molecular Machines group at MIT Media Lab. We engineer at the limits of complexity with molecular-scale parts. I studied biomedical engineering at SUSTech, with a minor in finance, and I'm joining the Giga Printer project to work on chips for DNA synthesis.

I’m from Shenzhen, and my home is a five-minute walk from Huaqiangbei’s electronics markets. It’s a convenient address for someone interested in making things. My research during my undergrad was on DNA data storage and microfluidics. The idea is pretty cool: DNA is nature’s storage medium, so why not use it to store photos and music too? I also worked on microfluidics, making tiny chips for biological testing and drug delivery.

Outside the lab, I play percussion and got to perform at Vienna's Golden Hall with my school's orchestra. I also enjoy ultimate frisbee and badminton, so count me in if you’re organizing a game.