Overview
Step into the future where engineering and biology unite to transform healthcare.
The ECE Distinguished Research Lecture Series welcomes Professor John A. Rogers, a pioneering force in bioelectronics, to share his visionary work at the intersection of technology and living systems. This event offers a rare glimpse into innovations that promise to revolutionize how we understand, monitor, and treat the human body. From delicate skin-like sensors to transient implants that safely dissolve within the body, this lecture reveals technologies that do more than support life—they partner with it.
Whether you are a scholar, practitioner, or curious mind, prepare to be inspired by ideas that marry science and purpose with profound potential for healing and restoration.
Abstract
How can technology become an intimate extension of the human body?
Professor Rogers will illuminate the emerging realm of bioelectronics—advanced devices designed for seamless integration with living tissues to unlock new horizons in medicine and biology. This lecture delves into the core principles of electrical engineering, materials science, and system design that empower these innovations, focusing on miniaturized, biocompatible systems and bioresorbable devices engineered to safely vanish in harmony with natural bodily processes.
From wearable health monitors to bioelectronic therapies for neuroregeneration and heart pacing, these technologies redefine what it means to care for and understand the human body. Join us to explore this inspiring frontier where technology gently and powerfully intersects with life itself.
About the Speaker
Professor John A. Rogers stands at the pinnacle of bioelectronics innovation. His academic journey began with dual degrees in chemistry and physics from the University of Texas at Austin, followed by advanced studies at MIT. A Harvard Junior Fellow and former leader at Bell Labs, he has held prestigious academic posts, most recently as the Director of the Querrey-Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics at Northwestern University.
With nearly 1,000 published papers and over 100 patented inventions, many licensed globally, his research has propelled the field forward with unmatched vision and rigor. He has nurtured a global community of scholars and innovators, with more than 150 former mentees now faculty worldwide.
His extraordinary contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including a MacArthur Fellowship, the Lemelson-MIT Prize, the Benjamin Franklin Medal, and memberships in all major national academies in engineering, science, and medicine, as well as the Royal Society. His work is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary ingenuity rooted in service to human health.
Who Should Attend?
This lecture is essential for anyone engaged with the convergence of technology and life sciences, including:
- Engineers and researchers in electrical, biomedical, and materials sciences
- Medical professionals and clinicians interested in next-generation therapeutic technologies
- Graduate and undergraduate students passionate about innovation at the crossroads of biology and engineering
- Innovators, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders in bioelectronics and healthcare technology
Whether you seek inspiration, knowledge, or collaboration, this lecture will expand your understanding of how technology is transforming the biology of healing and human potential.