Andrea Bionda is a PhD researcher at Stockholm University's Department of Chemistry, focusing on organic bioelectronics and sustainable material development. His work aims to create biodegradable organic mixed ionic/electronic conducting materials (OMIECs) for organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) applications, emphasizing environmental integration and performance stability. Education: BSc in Chemistry (2022) from University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy MSc in Chemistry (2024) from University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy Research Focus: Biodegradable OMIECs via sustainable synthesis Radical tri(hetero)arylmethane derivative characterization Water-based optoelectronic material synthesis (Suzuki-Miyaura reactions)
Erica Zeglio is an Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry , Stockholm University , leading a research group focused on bioelectronic applications and sustainable material design . Her work emphasizes improving device performance for sensing and long-term environmental impact. Research: Organic semiconductors, biodegradable materials, bio-functionalization, and sustainable systems for energy storage/environmental applications. Affiliations: Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE), AIMES (Center for Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences), Digital Futures, Stockholm University Center for Circular and Sustainable Systems. News: Co-organized the 2023 Bioelectronics and Sustainability Symposium at Albano Campus, Stockholm. Scientific Awards: WISE Fellow (Wallenberg Initiative for Female Researchers)
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.
Gregory F. Payne is a Research Professor and Fischell Institute Fellow at the University of Maryland's A. James Clark School of Engineering, affiliated with the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research and the Brain and Behavior Institute. His research bridges microelectronics and biotechnology through innovative biofabrication techniques and redox-based communication strategies. Education: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from The University of Michigan (1984), M.S. and B.A. in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University (1981, 1979). Research Focus: Dr. Payne leads pioneering work in two domains: 1) Biofabrication using stimuli-responsive biopolymers (chitosan, alginate) and enzymes to construct bio-device interfaces through electrodeposition and biological conjugation mechanisms; 2) Redox-based molecular communication developing catechol-modified matrices and spectroelectrochemical methods to enable electron transfer between biological systems and electronics, facilitating bio-information processing. Publication Trends: Recent work (2022-2025) demonstrates accelerated innovation in redox-enabled bioelectronics, including 3D-printed sensor platforms, electrogenetic cellular control, and biomimetic redox capacitors. The research consistently integrates electrochemistry, synthetic biology, and advanced materials to create bio-hybrid systems for medical, environmental, and industrial applications. Awards and Honors: Guest Professor, Wuhan University, China Fischell Institute Fellow Research Infrastructure: Leads the Payne Group with interdisciplinary collaborations worldwide. Manages projects including a $1.5M NSF grant for bioelectronic devices and $1M Moore Foundation grant for redox communication technology. Current lab focus includes developing the "Internet of Bio-Nano Things" through electrogenetic constructs.
Andre Garenne serves as an Associate Professor at IMS Bordeaux, a joint research unit (UMR 5218) operated by the University of Bordeaux, CNRS, and Bordeaux INP. He is actively affiliated with the Bioelectronics research group and the SANE team within the institute. His research spans Bioelectronics, Neural Engineering, and Signal Processing with emphasis on implantable medical devices and neural interfaces. Work focuses on bioelectronic systems for medical applications, leveraging IMS Bordeaux's expertise in micro/nanoelectronics and signal analysis platforms like the Living Cognitics Complex Systems infrastructure. Dr. Garenne contributes to IMS Bordeaux's industrial collaborations with partners including STMicroelectronics, Stellantis, Thales, and CEA through the Bioelectronics group's work on medical device development and neural signal processing systems.
Emilie Pinet is a Postdoctoral Researcher at IMS Bordeaux, affiliated with the BIOELECTRONICS research group and the SANE team. Her work intersects with platforms focused on accelerated aging, mechanical assembly analysis, and component integration, with emphasis on nanocomposite materials, terahertz technology, and zero-power devices. Key research areas: Bioelectronics, Nanotechnology, and Automotive Systems Collaborations: STMicroelectronics, Stellantis, Thales, CEA Leti, and industry partners
Bozhi Tian is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Chicago, affiliated with the Physical Sciences Division and the James Franck Institute. His research spans biophysics, materials chemistry, and bioelectronics, with a focus on the molecular-nano interface between biological and semiconductor systems. His research interests include synthetic cellular interactions, nanoelectronic exploration of cellular systems, and biomimetic nanoscale materials. Tian's lab pioneered the concept of photoelectroceuticals and has developed living bioelectronics that blend physical chemistry with bioelectronics to create drug-free, cell-based therapeutic strategies. Tian's recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward developing minimally invasive, light-powered medical devices and bioelectronic interfaces that interact seamlessly with biological systems. His work bridges materials science, medicine, and engineering to create solutions for cardiac, neural, and dermatological applications. American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering College of Fellows (2024) ETH Materials Research Prize for Young Investigators (2017) Talented Twelve recognition (2017) Tian actively mentors graduate students and postdocs, with notable advisees including Pengju Li (Nature paper on light-based pacemakers) and Jiuyun Shi (Science paper on psoriasis treatment). His lab receives funding from the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research, National Science Foundation, and U.S. Army Research Office. The Tian Research Group develops innovative technologies including photoelectroceuticals, living bioelectronics, and biodegradable medical devices. The Tian Lab, located in Room E139C of the Gordon Center for Integrative Science, focuses on creating electronics-enabled biointerfaces that mimic cellular behaviors. Their current projects include light-powered pacemakers, bioelectronic patches for infection treatment, and edible materials for gut microbiome regulation.
Rabia Tugce Yazicigil is Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Biomedical Engineering at Boston University, leading the WISE-Circuits Laboratory. Her research develops energy-efficient microchips and living bioelectronic sensors for human health, environmental monitoring, and sustainable manufacturing challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. Undergraduate: Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey Ph.D.: (Institution not specified in source) Her work pioneers 'Cyber-Secure Biological Systems'—integrating genetically engineered organisms with ultra-low-power microchips for real-time molecular sensing in harsh environments like the human gut and wastewater. Key innovations include battery-free devices harvesting environmental energy, with applications in disease diagnosis, closed-loop therapy, and sustainable biomanufacturing. Current projects span ingestible gut sensors and progesterone biosensors for women's fertility tracking. Professor Yazicigil mentors students while collaborating with MIT, Capra Biosciences, and BioSens8. Partnerships enable real-world validation through pig-model testing, wastewater facility deployments, and bioreactor trials for industrial scaling. The WISE-Circuits Laboratory unites electrical engineers and biologists to advance end-to-end bioelectronic systems, focusing on women's health technology expansion and sustainable manufacturing solutions.
Yan Li, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University. She serves as Postdoctoral Fellow Director and Honors in the Major Program Director, leading cutting-edge research in stem cell bioprocessing and tissue engineering. Dr. Li earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Tsinghua University (Beijing, China) in 1995 and her Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in 2002. Her academic journey bridges chemical engineering fundamentals with biomedical applications. Her research focuses on stem cell technology and engineering , tissue engineering and biomaterials , and cell processing and bioprocessing . She pioneers bioreactor-based systems for scaling extracellular vesicle production, with transformative applications in regenerative medicine. Her work reveals how culture conditions affect stem cell metabolism and vesicle cargo, enabling novel therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders. Recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward organoid-based EV biomanufacturing and neurological disease modeling . The research spans from fundamental bioprocess engineering to translational applications in stroke, neurodegeneration, and cancer, consistently leveraging advanced bioreactor platforms for clinical-scale production. Major recognitions include: ELATES Fellow (2023) Developing Scholar Award (2021) from Florida State University NSF CAREER award (2017) Geronosity Award and Award of Achievement from Geron Corporation Presidential Fellowship from The Ohio State University Dr. Li has secured significant NIH and NSF funding, including her CAREER award focused on stem cell bioprocessing. She mentors graduate students and postdocs while directing honors programs, fostering the next generation of engineers. Her collaborations span academia, industry (notably Geron Corporation), and clinical partners to accelerate therapeutic translation. Her laboratory operates at the chemical engineering-neuroscience interface, utilizing vertical wheel bioreactors and organoid models to engineer extracellular vesicles for CNS applications. The team comprises chemical engineers, neuroscientists, and clinicians working on EV-based drug delivery systems and disease models for stroke and neurodegeneration.
Juhong Chen serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech's College of Engineering. With research expertise spanning food safety engineering, biosensors, and bioinstrumentation, Dr. Chen develops cutting-edge technologies for pathogen detection in agricultural and food systems. His work integrates nanomaterials, bacteriophage engineering, CRISPR technology, microfluidics, and artificial intelligence to address critical food safety challenges. Dr. Chen earned his Ph.D. in Food Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2016 and completed postdoctoral training at both Cornell University and the University of California, Berkeley before joining Virginia Tech in 2019. His educational background includes a B.Eng. in Biological Engineering from East China University of Science and Technology. Research interests focus on developing innovative biosensing approaches to detect biological and chemical contaminants in food systems. Dr. Chen's lab specializes in creating functional antimicrobial surfaces, advanced magnetic nanosensors, engineered bacteriophages, CRISPR-Cas systems, and portable microfluidic chips. His work addresses major challenges in food safety including pathogen detection, antimicrobial resistance monitoring, and food authenticity verification. Analysis of recent publications reveals a strong trend toward CRISPR-based diagnostics, with increasing focus on amplification-free detection methods, portable point-of-care systems, and integration of multiple technologies for enhanced sensitivity and specificity. His research spans food safety, veterinary diagnostics, and medical applications, demonstrating the broad applicability of his biosensing approaches. Scientific recognition includes: Travel grant for Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Agriculture and Food Systems, Gordon Research Conference (2018) Outstanding contribution in reviewing the journal of Biosensors and Bioelectronics (2018) Withycombe-Charalambous Award for Graduate Student Symposium, Agricultural and Food Chemistry, American Chemical Society Dr. Chen has secured significant research funding including a $450,463 USDA NIFA grant for developing CRISPR-equipped engineered phages (CREEPs), a $20,000 Virginia Tech CeZAP grant for viral pathogen detection, and a $740,537 USDA NIFA co-PI grant for digital nanofluidic chip development. He teaches courses in unit operations, biological processing, and food process engineering. The Bioengineering and Biosensing (BeBs) Lab, led by Dr. Chen, focuses on sustainable agriculture and food systems challenges, developing innovative tools including CRISPR, phages, yeasts, and enzymes to improve food production and safety from farm to fork.
D. Kacy Cullen is a Professor of Neurosurgery and Bioengineering (with tenure) at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. He serves as Principal Investigator at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia and holds multiple leadership positions including Director of the Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration at the VA Medical Center, Director of the Translational Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine Fellowship Program, and Director of the Porcine Neurointensive Care and Assessment Facility. Dr. Cullen's educational background includes: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology (2000) M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology (2002) Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology (2005) Dr. Cullen's research program operates at the intersection of three complementary fields: Regenerative Medicine , Neural Engineering , and Neurotrauma . In Regenerative Medicine, his lab focuses on novel biofabrication strategies for tissue engineered brain and spinal cord pathways as well as "living scaffolds" for neuroregeneration. His Neural Engineering work develops "biohybrid" neuroprosthetic interface technology and enables synaptically-based neuromodulation. In Neurotrauma research, he applies engineering principles to understand causative mechanisms and pathophysiological responses following traumatic injury to the nervous system, with specific attention to neural injury biomechanics. Analysis of Dr. Cullen's recent publications reveals a strong focus on tissue-engineered neural constructs for repairing nervous system injuries. His work spans from fundamental research on neural injury mechanisms to translational applications of tissue engineering for nerve repair, spinal cord injury, and Parkinson's disease. A notable trend is the development of "living scaffolds" and "biohybrid" neural interfaces that combine biological and engineered components. His research increasingly incorporates large animal models, particularly swine, to enhance translational relevance. Dr. Cullen's laboratory has received significant funding from multiple prestigious sources including the Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, and the University Research Foundation at the University of Pennsylvania. He directs the Translational Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine (T-TERM) Fellowship Program, which is jointly supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Cullen leads the Cullen Lab, which operates the Porcine Neurointensive Care and Assessment Facility (NCAF) at the Perelman School of Medicine. His lab applies biomedical engineering principles toward understanding neural injury mechanisms and developing neural tissue engineering-based treatments. The lab maintains active collaborations with multiple research centers including the Penn Center for Brain Injury & Repair, the Penn Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders, the Institute of Regenerative Medicine, and the Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics.
Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald serves as Professor of Cancer Prevention, Head of the Department of Oncology, and Director of the Early Cancer Institute at the University of Cambridge. She leads the Cambridge Member Centre of the CRUK Alliance for Cancer Early Detection (ACED) and serves as NIHR Senior Investigator. Her clinical role includes Honorary Consultant in Gastroenterology at Cambridge University Hospitals and Director of Studies in Medicine at Trinity College, Cambridge. Her research focuses on cancer early detection with emphasis on gastrointestinal malignancies, particularly esophageal adenocarcinoma arising from Barrett's esophagus. She pioneered the Cytosponge technology – a non-endoscopic capsule sponge device for cellular collection and TFF3 biomarker analysis – now being implemented in UK primary care through NHS pilots. Her work integrates liquid biopsy , molecular diagnostics , and AI-driven analysis to develop population-level screening strategies. Analysis of her 2025 publications reveals dominant themes in real-world implementation of biomarker-based risk stratification (particularly for Barrett's esophagus surveillance), multi-cancer early detection using liquid biopsy, and advanced genomic approaches to predict cancer progression. The research spans technological development, clinical validation, and healthcare system integration. Order of the British Empire (OBE) Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci) NIHR Senior Investigator Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering She leads multiple major initiatives including the CRUK-funded ACED consortium, the OCCAMS cohort study, and BEST clinical trials program. Her team collaborates with industry partners like Cyted Health (recently securing $44M funding) to translate discoveries into clinical practice. Current work focuses on scaling non-endoscopic screening technologies across the NHS and developing multi-cancer detection platforms.
Christopher Puleo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) since 2024, with dual affiliation at the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies (CBIS). Prior to returning to academia, he spent 14 years at General Electric Research, rising to Senior Principal Engineer in the Bioelectronic Medicine Program where he led translational projects from concept to clinical validation. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University (2003-2009) B.Sci. in Biomedical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1999-2003) Professor Puleo's research pioneers bioelectronic medicine through ultrasound neuromodulation, targeting inflammatory pathways in diabetes, IBD, and pulmonary hypertension. His work uniquely bridges neural engineering and clinical medicine by using non-invasive focused ultrasound to modulate organ-specific neural circuits. Complementing this, his earlier microfluidics research developed rapid pathogen detection platforms that reduce diagnostic timelines from days to minutes. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2021-2024) reveals a strong translational trajectory: 60% focus on therapeutic ultrasound applications for metabolic/inflammatory diseases, 30% on microfluidic diagnostics, and 10% on field advancement. Key journals include Nature Biomedical Engineering, Circulation Research, and Brain Stimulation, demonstrating impact across engineering, neuroscience, and clinical domains. His scientific recognition includes: NIH Neuromod Prize (Phase I 2022, Phase IIa 2023) GE Edison Pioneer Award (2019) GE Hull Award (2018) Albany Business Review 40 Under 40 (2020) Professor Puleo maintains active industry partnerships through his GE legacy, with current research supported by NIH grants and industry collaborations. His mentorship approach emphasizes translational skill development, preparing students for careers at the engineering-medicine interface. The recent NIH prize wins indicate robust funding momentum for his diabetes and inflammation-focused neuromodulation projects. Based at RPI's CBIS facility, his work leverages interdisciplinary resources for bioelectronic medicine development. His GE experience established protocols for rapid device iteration, now applied to academic research with emphasis on clinical validation pathways. Current projects focus on optimizing ultrasound parameters for specific neural targets and translating microfluidic diagnostics to point-of-care settings.
Professor Takao Someya serves as Executive Director, Vice President, and Professor at the University of Tokyo, where he leads research in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering within the School of Engineering. He additionally oversees startup initiatives as Director General of the Division of University Corporate Relations. Recognized globally as an inventor of electronic skins (featured in TIME Magazine as one of the best inventions of 2005), Professor Someya is a pioneer in organic and flexible electronics research. He earned his Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Tokyo and has held prestigious international positions including Global Scholar at Princeton University, GlobalFoundaries Visiting Professor at National University of Singapore, and Hans Fisher Senior Fellow at Technical University of Munich. In 2024, he became the first person from Asia elected as President of the Materials Research Society in the US. Professor Someya's research focuses on developing next-generation wearable technologies using organic electronics for healthcare, biomedical applications, and robotics. His work spans organic transistors, flexible electronics, plastic integrated circuits, large-area sensors, and plastic actuators. His research group has pioneered innovations in electronic skins, ultraflexible photonic devices, and stretchable electronics that bridge the gap between conventional rigid electronics and biological systems. His publication record reveals a clear progression from fundamental research on organic transistors to sophisticated integrated systems for healthcare monitoring and human-machine interfaces, with increasing emphasis on practical biomedical applications in recent years. 65th Fujihara Award (2024) 16th Leo Esaki Prize (2019) Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education (2019) Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (2018, 2021, 2022, 2024) IEEE/EDS Paul Rappaport Award (2009, 2010) Young Scientist Award (2005) Professor Someya has mentored numerous successful researchers including Tomoyuki Yokota (now Associate Professor), Tsuyoshi Sekitani, and Martin Kaltenbrunner. His research has been supported by substantial grants including JST ERATO funding for 'Bio-harmonized Electronics' and various industry collaborations. He actively recruits graduate students and postdoctoral fellows through programs like the International Multidisciplinary Engineering (IME) Graduate Program and JSPS fellowships. The Someya Group Organic Transistor Lab maintains active international collaborations and continues to push boundaries in flexible and wearable electronics, with recent projects focusing on ultra-soft electronics for monitoring cardiomyocytes, breathable wearable electronics for long-term health monitoring, and advanced electronic skins with multi-modal sensing capabilities.
Anthony Hoffman is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame's College of Engineering, specializing in mid-infrared and THz optoelectronics. His work focuses on quantum phenomena, optical material engineering, and device fabrication. He can be reached at ajhoffman@nd.edu . Research Interests: Hoffman's research centers on quantum engineering of semiconductor materials, particularly through layer-by-layer design of thin films for customized optical, electrical, and quantum properties. His laboratory develops and characterizes novel optoelectronic devices for mid-infrared and terahertz applications, including super-black materials, metamaterials, and high-efficiency photovoltaics. Scientific Awards: NSF CAREER Award (2015) for Development of Optoelectronic Devices for the Far-Infrared Education: Ph.D., Princeton University (2009) M.S., Princeton University (2006) B.S., University of Maryland, Baltimore County (2004)
