This Month's Featured Essay
To commemorate this important milestone we are collecting stories and reflections from our faculty, students, and alumni about the impact and significance of the department of bioengineering.
December Featured Essay by Rohith Reddy
Graduating with a PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) marked the culmination of an incredible journey. My time at The Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, under the mentorship of Prof. Rohit Bhargava, was transformative. Imagine a research landscape where optical instrumentation meets cancer diagnostics, machine learning intersects with chemical imaging, and light-matter interaction is the canvas. Each day was an odyssey, filled with the promise of new challenges and breakthroughs.
UIUC was more than just an academic institution to me; it was a place where I built lifelong friendships within and beyond the Bioengineering department. The culture of openness at UIUC allowed for seamless collaboration across disciplines. I could walk into any professor’s office to discuss science, a freedom I came to appreciate even more during my postdoctoral research at Harvard University, where such interactions were less common.
Accolades flowed during my time at UIUC - over a dozen, including the Bioengineering at Illinois award, the William F. Meggers Award, and the FACSS Innovation Award. These honors were more than personal milestones; they were a testament to the nurturing environment that UIUC fostered. One of the most fulfilling aspects of my graduate days was mentoring undergraduates. The research opportunities available to them were extraordinary, a luxury I hadn’t experienced during my undergraduate years at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. Today, as an associate professor at the University of Houston, directing the Medical Imaging with Lasers lab, the lessons from UIUC resonate in every project and every breakthrough. Our lab has developed cutting-edge medical instrumentation and devices for disease diagnosis, attracting over $8.5 million in external funding. This success is deeply rooted in the training and experiences from my time at UIUC, where I learned not only to conduct research but also to frame problems and connect technological advances to clinical needs.
Among the many memories, one stands out: conquering my fear of public speaking. When I began graduate school, the thought of standing before an audience and delivering a coherent presentation was daunting, let alone making it compelling. Recognizing this challenge, I committed to presenting my research every two weeks at our group meetings. This regular practice was crucial. My mentor's support was unwavering, constantly providing opportunities for improvement. Equally invaluable were my friends, who offered feedback that was both supportive and constructive. After several years of diligent practice, my efforts culminated in a remarkable achievement: at the SciX 2016 spectroscopy conference, I delivered a final-four best paper presentation to an audience of hundreds and clinched first place.
The diversity of the student body at UIUC was another highlight of my experience. I met bright, thoughtful, and inspiring students from all over the world. Our Bioengineering study group, which met regularly to complete homework assignments, was a microcosm of this diversity. I was surprised to learn that in some cultures, students complete homework the day it is assigned, unlike my habit of turning it in at the last minute.
UIUC is a true melting pot of cultures and ideas. It was there that I met my wife, an American, while I am from India. Our love story, which began on Wright Street next to Bardeen Quad, is a testament to the inclusive and welcoming nature of UIUC. I cherish the memories of dancing and playing badminton at the ARC, meeting friends on Green Street, and the strong Indian community that provided support when we first arrived, often letting us sleep on their couches until we found housing.
In conclusion, my journey from a Bioengineering Ph.D. to a Professorship has been one of personal and professional growth. The experiences and lessons learned at UIUC have been foundational to my career in bioengineering. The friendships, mentorship, and opportunities I encountered there continue to influence my work and life profoundly. UIUC will always hold a special place in my heart as the place where I not only grew as a scientist but also as a person.