Jennifer Bernhard

Jennifer Bernhard is the Donald Biggar Willett Professor of Engineering and Department Head of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). She earned her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Duke University (1994) and joined UIUC in 1999. Her research focuses on electromagnetics for wireless communication and reconfigurable antennas, emphasizing practical applications like IoT and energy efficiency. She leads the Applied Research Institute and has held roles such as Associate Dean for Research (2012–2019). Bernhard’s work is supported by advanced facilities like the Illinois Wireless Wind Tunnel and collaborations with the UIUC Center for Computational Electromagnetics.

• Education: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (Duke, 1994), BSEE (Cornell, 1988)
• Leadership Roles: Department Head (2024–present), Associate Dean for Research (2012–2019), Interim Director of Applied Research Institute
• Research Themes: Reconfigurable antennas, wireless communication, antenna array optimization, and IoT integration

Her research group innovates in reconfigurable antenna systems using MEMS, ferroelectric materials, and mechanical actuation to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. Awards include the NSF CAREER Award (2000), IEEE Fellow (2010), and multiple teaching excellence recognitions. Bernhard is committed to diversity, mentoring over 70 students, with a focus on underrepresented groups. She serves on national boards like the Defense Science Board and the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society.

Recent articles highlight advancements in loop antennas, OAM generation, and secure polarization modulation. Her work bridges theoretical analysis with experimental validation, addressing challenges in high-data-rate wireless systems and compact antenna design.