Rohit Karnik, an Indian American professor of mechanical engineering at MIT, has been appointed director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Water and Food Systems Lab (J-WAFS), the university’s only program dedicated to water and food research. His tenure began on March 1, as MIT celebrates J-WAFS’ 10th anniversary.
Karnik, who previously served as J-WAFS’ associate director since 2023, has played a key role in grant management, corporate collaborations, and strategic planning. Vice President for Research Ian A. Waitz praised Karnik’s leadership, research expertise, and dedication to advancing the lab’s mission.
Established in 2015, J-WAFS has provided approximately $25 million in research grants to faculty and students across MIT’s five schools and 40 departments. The program has supported 300 researchers and helped launch 12 startups focused on water and food technology.
Karnik, a leading expert in micro- and nanofluidic systems, has worked on projects ranging from water filtration membranes to chemical sensors. His research has applications in water treatment, healthcare, and environmental sustainability.
Before joining MIT as a postdoctoral researcher in 2006, Karnik earned his bachelor’s degree from IIT Bombay and his master’s and PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. Over the years, he has received several prestigious awards, including the NSF CAREER Award and the U.S. Department of Energy Early Career Award.
As director, Karnik aims to expand J-WAFS’ impact by fostering interdisciplinary research, strengthening industry partnerships, and addressing global water and food challenges.
