The Department of Bioengineering is pleased to welcome Dr. Loren Rieth, Associate Professor of Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering at West Virginia University’s Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. Dr. Rieth will present a talk titled “Advancement and Translation of Sensory Neuroprosthetics,” exploring recent developments in the field and efforts to bring these technologies closer to clinical application.

A brief networking reception will follow the seminar. All are welcome to attend.

Felix Deku, Betsy and Greg Hatton Assistant Professor in Neuroengineering in the Department of Bioengineering, will deliver his mid-tenure talk titled “Engineering High-Density Implants for Chronic Neural Interfacing.” This presentation will explore advances in neuroengineering technologies aimed at improving long-term communication with the nervous system.

Held as part of the 2025–26 Bioengineering Seminar Series, this talk is open to the university community.

The Knight Campus Distinguished Lecture Series welcomes Zhenan Bao, K.K. Lee Professor of Chemical Engineering at Stanford University, for a talk titled “Learning from Skin: from Materials, Sensing Functions to Neuromorphic Engineering.”

Skin—the body’s largest organ—continuously transduces rich sensory information. Building on this inspiration, Bao and her team have pioneered the design of organic electronics with skin-like properties such as stretchability, self-healing, biodegradability, and the ability to convert external stimuli into spike-train signals. These innovations form the foundation of soft bioelectronics and open new possibilities in medical devices, robotics, wearables, and neuromorphic engineering.

Bao, a member of the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, is internationally recognized for her groundbreaking research in skin-inspired electronics. She has published more than 700 papers, holds over 80 patents, and has co-founded several startups translating her lab’s discoveries into real-world applications.

Hybrid Option: In-person attendance is encouraged. Remote access via Zoom will be available, with a link posted closer to the event date. Please note this lecture will not be recorded.

Time: 3–4 pm Lecture; 4–5:30 pm Networking Reception