Robert J. Webster III

Robert J. Webster III is the Senior Associate Provost for Commercialization and Technology Transfer at Vanderbilt University, where he holds the Richard A. Schroeder Professorship and multiple professorships in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Otolaryngology, Neurological Surgery, Urologic Surgery, and Medicine. He leads the Medical Engineering and Discovery (MED) Laboratory, focusing on surgical robotics and medical device innovation.

• Education:
  • Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University (2007)
  • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University (2004)
  • B.S., Electrical Engineering, Clemson University (2002)

His research applies engineering tools to enhance medicine through minimally invasive surgical robotics, image-guided interventions, and translational medical technologies. Projects include natural orifice surgery systems, inner ear robotics, and "surgical GPS" for kidney procedures.

The MED Lab collaborates with Vanderbilt School of Medicine, startups (Pathfinder Therapeutics, Acoustic MedSystems), and industry leaders like Intuitive Surgical. Alumni from his lab include 14 faculty members and entrepreneurs behind Virtuoso Surgical and EndoTheia.

• Scientific Awards:
  • NIH Grant (2022)
  • NIH Grant (2022)
  • NIH Workshop Short Talks (2023)
  • ARPA-H $12 Million Award

The lab has filed 59 patents (30 licensed) and conducts clinical trials for novel surgical devices, emphasizing innovation from theory to commercialization.