Calin Plesa, assistant professor of bioengineering, is recognized for his accomplishments as a nationally and internationally recognized leader in synthetic biology, gene synthesis, and protein engineering, and in particular, his role as co-founder, platform architect, and scientific advisor of SynPlexity, Inc.

Marian Hettiaratchi, Ph.D., was recently promoted to Associate Professor with indefinite tenure in the Department of Bioengineering.

The Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholars program was recently highlighted in Oregon News, spotlighing how the program offers research training and experience for undergraduate students.

At the 2025 Undergraduate Research Symposium, students affiliated with the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact showcase their work across disciplines - including bioengineering, neuroscience, physiology, and biochemistry.

Lia Strait, a PhD candidate in Bioengineering at the University of Oregon’s Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, is helping bones heal faster — and advocating for science policy on Capitol Hill. Strait, a researcher in Bob Guldberg’s lab focused on improving bone regeneration, recently traveled to Washington, D.C. for a prestigious fellowship that provided hands-on experience in science policy—an area she plans to pursue as a career.

Founded in 2024 at the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact at the University of Oregon, biomedical startup company VivoTex seeks to transform tissue engineering through an innovative approach to advanced, microfiber 3D printing using techniques pioneered in the lab of bioengineering professor Paul Dalton.

Therapeutic ultrasound engineer Sara Keller and nanomaterial immunoengineer David Peeler will join the department in January 2026, bringing research with the potential to improve antimicrobials, immunotherapies and vaccines.