Yu-Chong Tai

Yu-Chong Tai is the Anna L. Rosen Professor of Electrical Engineering and Medical Engineering at the California Institute of Technology. He holds the Cherng Leadership Chair (2017–22) and has served as Executive Officer (2005–2008, 2013–22). His research focuses on applying MEMS/NEMS technologies to medical applications, including medical implants, microfluidics, and lab-on-a-chip systems. Tai leads the Caltech MEMS Laboratory, an 8,000-square-foot facility with clean-room and biological labs dedicated to biomedical device development.

Education: B.S., National Taiwan University (1981); M.S., University of California (1986); Ph.D., 1989. Academic progression: Assistant Professor (1989–95) → Associate Professor (1995–2000) → Professor (2000–13) → Rosen Professor (2013–present).

Research interests span medical devices, Bio-MEMS, microfluidics, drug delivery, and implantable systems like retinal prosthetics and spinal stimulators. His group collaborates with UCSF, USC, UCLA, and industry partners to advance neural implants and micro-scale medical technologies.

• Key awards: Member of the National Academy of Engineering, Elected to the National Academy of Inventors

Notable projects include HPLC-on-a-chip, wireless drug delivery systems, and oxygen-permeable implant coatings. Tai teaches courses on medical device design and micro/nano technology, fostering interdisciplinary innovation.