Martha Gillette

Martha Gillette is a Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Illinois. Her primary research focuses on Bio-Micro and Nanotechnology, with a lab named The Clockworks Laboratory. She specializes in developing advanced imaging techniques and microfluidic systems to study neurovascular interactions, circadian rhythms, and neuronal development. Her work integrates engineering principles with biological systems to address challenges in neurodegeneration, chronotherapy, and tissue engineering.

Her research interests span circadian regulation of neuronal excitability, neurovascular coupling, and the design of bioactuators for neuromuscular interfaces. She has pioneered label-free imaging technologies like Spatial Light Interference Microscopy (SLIM) and Phase Correlation Imaging (PCI), enabling real-time analysis of cellular dynamics without exogenous labels.

Key research trends in her recent articles include the interplay between circadian rhythms and metabolic disorders, neurovascular function modulation, and advancements in microfluidic platforms for neuronal studies. Her work bridges fundamental biology with translational applications, such as chronotherapy optimization and engineered living systems.

Dr. Gillette’s laboratories emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration across bioengineering, neuroscience, and materials science. Her contributions have led to innovations in bioelectronic devices and controlled drug delivery systems responsive to cellular redox states.