Susan Hagness

Susan Hagness is the Maria Stuchly Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, affiliated with the College of Engineering's Departments of Electrical & Computer Engineering and Biomedical Engineering. Her research focuses on computational and experimental applied electromagnetics, with emphasis on bioelectromagnetics for medical and agricultural applications. Key areas include microwave diagnostic/therapeutic techniques, dielectric spectroscopy, FDTD theory, and smart-ag sensing technologies. Her work is funded by NIH, NSF, DARPA, and industry partners.

Awards include AIMBE and NAI Fellowships, the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society Distinguished Lecturer title, and the PECASE Presidential Early Career Award. She leads multi-disciplinary teams in Engineering Hall (3415/3559 EH) and collaborates with clinical partners at UW Hospital and agricultural field sites. Recent innovations include TEM cell designs for real-time tissue monitoring during microwave ablation and microwave sensing for cranberry yield estimation.

• Research Highlights: Microwave breast imaging, thermoacoustic signal analysis, minimally-invasive microwave ablation antennas
• Key Collaborations: UW Hospital, Wisconsin Cranberry Board, Air Force Office of Scientific Research
• Teaching: Advises graduate students in ECE 790/890/990 research courses

Her lab's work bridges fundamental electromagnetics with translational applications addressing global health and agricultural challenges.