William E. Bentley

William E. Bentley is the Robert E. Fischell Distinguished Professor of Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he serves as the Inaugural Director of the Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices and Director of the Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (Mtech). He holds dual appointments in the Fischell Department of Bioengineering and the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, with additional affiliation at the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research.

Dr. Bentley earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1989, following a Master of Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University. His academic journey began at the University of Maryland in 1989, where he has remained throughout his distinguished career, founding the Fischell Department of Bioengineering and establishing himself as a leader in the field.

His pioneering research focuses on the interface between biology and electronics, developing methodologies to interrogate and control molecular signaling both inside and outside of cells. Dr. Bentley's lab uses metabolic engineering and synthetic biology to rewire genetic circuits, with particular emphasis on bacterial quorum sensing systems and redox-based communication between biological systems and electronic devices. His groundbreaking work has established the field of 'electrogenetics,' which enables electronic control of biological function through redox signaling pathways. Current research explores creating 'smart' cellular systems that can recognize, compute, actuate, and deliver therapeutic agents in a programmed manner.

Dr. Bentley's recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward developing bidirectional communication between biological systems and electronic devices, with applications in protein analysis, biosensors, and therapeutic delivery systems. His work increasingly focuses on redox-based information processing and the development of 'biohybrid' systems that bridge the gap between electronics and biology, representing a paradigm shift in how we interface with biological systems.

Among his numerous honors are:

• Distinguished University Professor (2016)
• Robert E. Fischell Distinguished Chair of Engineering (2016)
• Charles Thom Award, Society of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology (2013)
• AIChE Food, Pharmaceutical and Bioengineering Division Award (2012)
• University System of Maryland Regents' Faculty Award for Research (2011)
• Fellow of the American Chemical Society, American Academy of Microbiology, AAAS, and AIMBE

Dr. Bentley has mentored more than 40 PhD students and 15 postdocs, many of whom now hold leadership positions in industry, federal agencies, and academia. His research has been continuously supported by major grants from NIH, NSF, DOD, DOE, FDA, and USDA, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature and significance of his work. He co-founded Chesapeake PERL, a protein manufacturing company based on insect larvae as mini bioreactors, demonstrating his commitment to translating research into practical applications.

He leads the Biomolecular and Metabolic Engineering Laboratory, which has developed innovative approaches to biofabrication and electro-bio interfaces. Current research focuses on creating systems that enable 'programming' of biological function through redox communication, with applications in treating bacterial infections, developing next-generation biosensors, and advancing our understanding of cellular communication networks. His laboratory maintains active collaborations with industry partners and international research groups, particularly with institutions in Italy through the UMD-Trento partnership.