Jennifer Truman Bernhard

Jennifer Truman Bernhard is a Donald Biggar Willett Professor and Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She holds affiliations with the Coordinated Science Lab and the Information Trust Institute. Her research focuses on advanced antenna systems, including reconfigurable antennas, microwave engineering, and electromagnetic theory. Bernhard leads efforts in antenna array design, characteristic mode analysis, and applications in orbital angular momentum (OAM) generation.

Her academic roles include serving as a member of the ASEE Engineering Research Council Board of Directors (2016–2019). Bernhard has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the IEEE Fellow designation (2010) and the NSF CAREER Award (2000). Her work bridges theoretical and applied electromagnetics, with contributions to antenna optimization, energy storage modes, and radiation pattern control.

Research trends in her publications emphasize innovative antenna configurations, such as shielded loops, parasitic arrays, and spiral slot designs. These studies address challenges in frequency behavior, beam directionality, and reconfigurability. Bernhard’s labs and collaborations involve interdisciplinary teams exploring next-generation communication systems and electromagnetic compatibility.

• Awards: IEEE Fellow, NSF CAREER Award
• Grants: NSF CAREER-funded research (2000)
• Labs: Coordinated Science Lab, Information Trust Institute