Rohit Karnik

Rohit Karnik is the associate director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Water and Food Systems Lab (J-WAFS) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he is a professor in the department of mechanical engineering. Rohit's research focuses on the physics of micro- and nanofluidic flows and the design of micro- and nanofluidic systems for applications in water, healthcare, energy and the environment.

A long-standing member of the J-WAFS community, Rohit has conducted multiple J-WAFS-funded research projects between 2015 and 2023, spanning challenges of water quality and food-borne pathogens. One such J-WAFS research project, developed a low-cost water filter using sapwood xylem.

As associate director of J-WAFS, Rohit helps shape J-WAFS’ research agenda and priorities, and supports proposal review processes, project oversight and interactions with corporate partners.