Dr. David Sun Kong is a distinguished leader in community biotechnology whose innovative work bridges scientific advancement with social empowerment. He currently serves as Director of the Community Biotechnology Initiative at the MIT Media Lab, where he has pioneered approaches to democratize access to biological engineering. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Master of Science in Media Arts and Sciences, and Doctor of Philosophy in Media Arts and Sciences, all from MIT, his educational journey established a foundation for integrating engineering, biology, and social sciences. Prior to his current leadership role, Dr. Kong served as Technical Staff in the Bioengineering Systems & Technologies group at MIT's Lincoln Laboratory, where he developed novel microfluidic systems for biological applications and was a founding member of the synthetic biology team. His early career trajectory established him as a visionary capable of merging technical expertise with community-focused applications.
Dr. Kong's most significant scientific contribution came during his doctoral research when he demonstrated the first gene synthesis in a microfluidic 'lab-on-a-chip' system, a breakthrough that opened new pathways for accessible biological engineering. His pioneering development of microfluidic technologies has enabled more affordable and distributed approaches to synthetic biology, with his work cited over 1,100 times according to Google Scholar. As founder and Editor-in-Chief of Metafluidics, an open repository for fluidic systems, he has created infrastructure that accelerates research innovation by making technical resources freely available to researchers worldwide. His research extends beyond traditional laboratory settings to incorporate artistic expression and community engagement, exemplified by projects like Biota Beats, which translates microbiome composition into musical experiences. These innovations have catalyzed a paradigm shift in how biological research is conducted and who can meaningfully participate in the biotechnology revolution.
Beyond his technical contributions, Dr. Kong has been instrumental in building the global community biotechnology movement through his founding of the Global Community Bio Summit in 2017, which convenes independent community biology labs from around the world. His establishment of EMW, an art, technology, and community space in Cambridge, MA, has created a model for how scientific spaces can serve marginalized communities through programming rooted in social justice principles. As co-founder of the international course 'How To Grow (Almost) Anything,' he has trained hundreds of practitioners in synthetic biology techniques, significantly expanding participation among underrepresented groups. Dr. Kong continues to push the boundaries of accessible biotechnology through his leadership of the Community Biotechnology Initiative, with ongoing work focused on developing platforms that empower diverse communities to engage with biological systems in culturally meaningful ways. His visionary approach ensures that the future of biotechnology will be shaped by a broad spectrum of voices rather than restricted to traditional institutional settings.
