Viktor Gruev

Dr. Viktor Gruev is a distinguished academic holding multiple professorships at the University of Illinois: Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Bioengineering, and Biomedical and Translational Sciences. He also serves as the Program Leader at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology and the Cancer Center at Illinois. His research focuses on bioinspired imaging systems, with applications in medical diagnostics, underwater geolocation, and polarization-based technologies.

Gruev’s work integrates optical engineering, nanotechnology, and biomedical innovation. Key areas of expertise include multispectral imaging sensors, polarization sensors for tumor detection, and polarization-based underwater navigation systems. He has pioneered devices such as the 9-band camera for image-guided surgery and bioinspired polarization event cameras, leveraging machine learning and bio-inspired design principles.

His research has led to advancements in fluorescence-guided surgical tools, nanoparticle contrast agents, and polarization division multiplexing for optical communication. Gruev’s interdisciplinary projects bridge engineering and medicine, with collaborations spanning cancer imaging, marine robotics, and material science. He holds leadership roles in university research initiatives and is affiliated with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation.