Past Member

Daniel Poitrast

Former Technical Director, OpenAg

Dan directs the development and deployment of the Open Agriculture technology platforms; including leading the strategy, design, management and implementation of our software, electrical, mechanical and architectural teams and integration with our research teams.

Prior to joining the Media Lab, Dan served in the US Army and is a Combat Veteran who supported efforts in Military Intelligence and the Judge Advocate Generals (JAG) Corps, with the distinction of being selected and trained at the highly regarded Defense Language Institute in Monterrey California.  After his military service,  Dan developed expertise in industry in the application and deployment of complex electro-mechanical products from concept to mass manufacturing while navigating safety compliance (UL, CE, FCC, and ETL), complex and decentralized supply chains, design for manufacturing considerations, leading multidisciplinary teams and implementing LEAN manufacturing paradigms. 

Dan holds three patents in the fields of Thermoelectric Generation and LED Lighting.