Assistant Professor & Lead at Sculpting Evolution Group at MIT Media Lab; Research Scientist; Biotechnologies & Ecosystems Expert

Cambridge, MA, USA
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Kevin Esvelt Biography

Kevin Esvelt is an associate professor at the MIT Media Lab, where he leads the Sculpting Evolution Group in advancing biotechnology with an emphasis on safety and public engagement.

He is a research scientist committed to expanding the scope of biotechnologies through enabling inventions. Esvelt specializes in technologies harnessing evolution for engineering biology, especially ecosystems.

Esvelt pioneered the concept of CRISPR-based gene drives and was the first to recognize and articulate the potential for this technology to alter wild populations, influencing approaches to ecological engineering and genetic modification. His early work includes inventing phage-assisted continuous evolution (PACE) and collaborating on the development of CRISPR as a genome editing tool. These achievements have been published and featured in major media outlets.

Esvelt’s research focuses on developing catalytic platforms for directed evolution, creating ecotechnologies guided by local communities, and implementing early-warning systems to detect biological threats. He advocates for transparency and public input in scientific research, particularly for projects with broad environmental impact. His leadership in the Mice Against Ticks initiative demonstrates a commitment to harnessing genetic technologies for public health while ensuring reversibility and community oversight. Esvelt has received recognition such as the Innovator Under 35 honor from MIT Technology Review, and his work is cited in scientific journals and covered by outlets including The New York Times and The Washington Post.

A frequent speaker at scientific conferences and public forums, Esvelt communicates complex biotechnological concepts and ethical considerations to diverse audiences. He advises policymakers on mitigating global catastrophic biorisks and has contributed to the development of secure DNA synthesis screening methods. Through advocacy for open science and universal safeguards, Esvelt shapes the dialogue around responsible innovation in biotechnology, demonstrating technical expertise and a commitment to societal well-being.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 09/23/2025.

Kevin Esvelt Videos

Kevin Esvelt | Securing Global DNA Synthesis and LLMs Against

Kevin Esvelt | Securing Global DNA Synthesis and LLMs Against

Kevin Esvelt - Securing global DNA synthesis and LLMs against hazards too risky for public disclosure* Kevin Michael Esvelt is an American ...

Kevin Esvelt: Pandemics, Gene Drives, Existential Threats

Kevin Esvelt: Pandemics, Gene Drives, Existential Threats

Today I interview Prof. Kevin Esvelt of the MIT media lab. Coming from George Church's lab Kevin was part of the discovery of Crispr ...

Kevin Esvelt | Safeguarding exponential biology | Frontiers Forum

Kevin Esvelt | Safeguarding exponential biology | Frontiers Forum

Kevin Esvelt is an exponential biologist from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology USA. He was the first to describe how the CRISPR ...

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  • What topics does Kevin Esvelt speak about?

    Kevin Esvelt is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Biology, Disruptive Thinking, Professors, Science, Technology, Thought Leadership
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Kevin Esvelt is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Kevin Esvelt for your event is available upon request. Kevin Esvelt generally travels from Cambridge, MA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are John Lennox, Christine Ortiz, Dr. Paul Wolpe, Dan Ariely and Chin-Teng Lin. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Kevin Esvelt for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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