Her research aims to understand and control biomolecular self-assembly and to use this knowledge to (i) explore physical principles of molecular machinery, (ii) elucidate physical routes to the emergence of animate matter, and (iii) apply these for the advancement of science and technology (e.g., using DNA origami to position spin centres for quantum technologies).
Her teaching focuses on making the lower-division laboratory experience of physics majors impart skills essential to experimental research.
[citation needed] She earned her undergraduate degree at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she studied physics.
She studies their mechanical properties and defines structure-property relationships, which can have implications for protein design and drug discovery.
[3] Alongside biophysics, Fygenson is interested in using DNA to create spin arrays for quantum technologies.