Emma van der Leest

Emma is a researcher, author, and teacher focused on micro-organisms as central to the future of design and fabrication. Her book, Form Follows Organism: The Biological Computer (2016), examines the shifting role of designers as they collaborate with scientists. Emma is a co-founder of BlueCity Lab, a prototyping laboratory and start-up hub in Rotterdam. One of Van der Leest’s goals is to make it easier for anyone interested in working with micro-organisms and waste streams to develop new materials to do so. Emma holds research and teaching positions at Willem de Kooning Academy. In addition, she develops workshops and programming for St. Joost Masters Institute, Central Saint Martins London, and the Design Academy Eindhoven.