Mirela Alistar

Mirela Alistar is an assistant professor at the ATLAS Institute and the Department of Computer Science at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she leads the Living Matter Lab. Her research focuses on digital microfluidics and biochip development, exploring how technology can enable personalized medicine. She has developed personal laboratory devices based on biochips, empowering users to create customized biological protocols ("bio-apps"). As an active contributor to the DIYBio movement, she co-founded community labs and promoted direct public interaction with living materials like bacteria, viruses, and fungi through interactive performances, art installations, and open workshops. Mirela earned her Ph.D. from the Technical University of Denmark in 2014 and worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Hasso Plattner Institute in Germany. Her research has been published in top academic journals and conferences and exhibited at international venues.

• 2019–Present·University of Colorado Boulder·Assistant Professor
  • Leads the Living Matter Lab, conducting research on digital microfluidics, biochips, and innovative technologies for personalized medicine.
  • Advances the DIYBio movement, fostering science communication through community labs, art installations, and public workshops.
• 2014–2018·Hasso Plattner Institute (Germany)·Postdoctoral Researcher
  • Conducted research on microfluidics technology and interaction design in Patrick Baudisch's lab.

• 2010–2014·Technical University of Denmark·Ph.D.
  • Research focus: Fault-tolerant design and application development of digital microfluidics and biochips.