Arjun G. Yodh

Arjun G. Yodh is the James M. Skinner Professor of Science and Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Pennsylvania. He holds a secondary appointment in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Perelman School of Medicine and is affiliated with interdisciplinary institutes including the Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter (LRSM), the Center for Soft and Living Matter, and the Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging and Precision Medicine (CAMIPM). His research spans condensed matter physics, biophysics, medical physics, and optical sciences, with a focus on soft materials, biomedical optics, and light-scattering techniques.

Yodh earned a B.Sc. in Applied & Engineering Physics from Cornell University (1981) and a Ph.D. in Physics from Harvard University (1986). He joined Penn in 1988 and has since mentored over 100 PhD students and postdocs. His leadership roles include Director of LRSM/MRSEC (2009–2020) and Co-Director of the PREM program with the University of Puerto Rico. He pioneered non-invasive optical methods for cerebral blood flow monitoring and received the 2021 Feld Award in Biophotonics.

His research interests include colloidal systems, liquid crystals, biophotonics, and translational applications in medical diagnostics. Recent work focuses on diffuse optical monitoring for stroke diagnosis, brain injury assessment, and photodynamic therapy. His educational contributions include STEM outreach programs targeting K-16 students and teachers.

• Education: Harvard University (PhD, 1986), Cornell University (B.Sc., 1981)
• Key Roles: LRSM Director (2009-2020), Department Chair (2022–present)
• Affiliations: Departments of Bioengineering, Materials Science & Engineering (SEAS)
• Grants & Awards: NSF-MRSEC, PREM, Provost Award for Mentoring

His lab develops optical tools for cerebral hemodynamics, placental oxygenation, and cancer therapy monitoring, with clinical translation as a core focus.