Taher A Saif

Taher A Saif is the Edward William and Jane Marr Gutgsell Professor in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His research spans biomechanics and nanomechanics, focusing on cellular mechanics, cancer metastasis, neuro mechanics, and the mechanical properties of nanoscale materials. He leads the Saif Lab which develops innovative micro and nano-scale apparatus for studying cell mechanics and material properties.

Dr. Saif received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (with Honors) in 1984, his M.S. in Civil Engineering from Washington State University in 1987, and his Ph.D. in Theoretical & Applied Mechanics from Cornell University in 1993. His academic journey includes positions as Lecturer at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Teaching Assistant at Washington State University, and various research and teaching roles at Cornell University before joining UIUC in 1997.

Dr. Saif's research investigates how mechanical forces influence cellular behavior and disease progression. His lab explores fundamental questions about how cells transduce mechanical stimuli into biochemical processes, whether disease progression can be altered with mechanical stimuli, and if cell-cell interactions can be engineered to develop living machines. His work on neuromechanics has revealed that neurons generate mechanical tension that is essential for vesicle clustering and synaptic function. In cancer research, his lab investigates how cancer-associated fibroblasts generate mechanical forces that promote metastasis.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on biohybrid robotics, cellular mechanotransduction, and the development of novel sensors for measuring cellular forces. A key trend is the integration of engineering principles with biological systems to create living machines with unprecedented capabilities. His work spans multiple disciplines including biomechanics, materials science, neuroscience, and cancer biology, with increasing emphasis on translational applications for disease treatment and biohybrid robotics.

Dr. Saif has received numerous prestigious awards including election to the National Academy of Engineering (2024), the Engineering Science Medal from the Society of Engineering Science (2020), and the Warner T. Koiter Medal from ASME (2018). He was named a Fellow of AAAS (2023) and received the Edward William and Jane Marr Gutgsell Professorship at UIUC (2010-date).

Dr. Saif has advised numerous students and postdocs who have gone on to publish significant research in top journals. His lab has secured substantial funding from NSF, NIH, and other agencies to support research on cellular mechanics, cancer metastasis, and biohybrid robotics. He has organized multiple workshops and summer schools including the GEM4 (Global Enterprise for Micro-Mechanics and Molecular Medicine) programs focused on cancer, cardiovascular systems, and developmental biology.

The Saif Lab operates at the intersection of engineering and biology, maintaining state-of-the-art facilities for micro and nano fabrication, cell culture, and mechanical testing. The lab has developed innovative MEMS-based devices for studying cellular forces and material properties at small scales. Current projects include "Mind in vitro" (exploring whether living neurons can perform computations), FORCE hypothesis research (investigating how mechanical forces drive cancer progression), and the development of biohybrid robots that combine living cells with engineered scaffolds.