Harvard's Kavli Institute for Bionano Science and Technology (KIBST) was in effect 2006-2020, now being replaced by endowed professorships. This webpage provides a glimpse at the past contributions and activities of the institute.
KIBST was established in 2006, thanks to a gift from Fred Kavli to Harvard University, followed by continued support from the Kavli Foundation. Professor George Whitesides and Professor David Weitz served as founding co-directors of the institute (2006-2011). Whitesides continued in this role with new co-director, Professor Joanna Aizenberg from 2011 to 2020.
KIBST’s vision has been to develop a deeper understanding of the functioning of life and biology at the nanoscale and to create innovations based on these principles. The funds were specifically tailored to spark non-traditional, cross-disciplinary research and, especially, to bring theorists and experimentalists together to tackle challenging outstanding problems. The Institute hosted weekly Kavli Kofee hours (whiteboard discussions of the latest research happening on campus, sparking suggestions, debate, and collaboration), hosted visitors, and conducted outreach. Throughout its mission, KIBST was dedicated to advancing science for the benefit of humanity, promoting public understanding of scientific research, supporting scientists and their work, and promoting collaborations between groups.
While the doors of KIBST have closed, we continue to be guided and inspired by the mission established by this fruitful and collaborative institute.