Ellen Roche

Ellen Roche is the Abby Rockefeller Mauzé Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She serves as Associate Department Head for Research and directs the Therapeutic Technology Design and Development (TTDD) Lab, focusing on cardiac and pulmonary device innovation through soft robotics, biomimetics, and advanced biomaterials. Her work bridges mechanical engineering, bioengineering, and clinical medicine via collaborations with Boston Children’s Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and others.

• PhD in Bioengineering, Harvard University (2015)
• MSc in Bioengineering, Trinity College Dublin (2011)
• BE in Biomedical Engineering, National University of Ireland, Galway (2004)

Her research integrates soft robotics, biomaterials, and computational modeling to develop implantable devices that augment cardiac function, modulate immune responses, and deliver therapies to the heart. Key innovations include a bioinspired cardiac simulator, extra-cardiac compression devices, and a biorobotic hybrid heart combining organic tissue with synthetic robotics. Her recent publications emphasize dynamic therapy reservoirs, biomimetic heart models, and minimally invasive delivery systems.

Scientific accolades include the Presidential Early Career Award (2025), NSF CAREER Award (2019-2024), and the Nature Research Inspiring Women in Science Award (2021). She serves as Associate Scientific Advisor for Science Translational Medicine and contributes to peer review for the National Science Foundation and journals like Nature Medicine and Science Robotics. Her teaching includes Medical Device Design and Product Design at MIT.