Robert T. Tranquillo

University of Minnesota

Distinguished McKnight University Professor

Prof. Tranquillo received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering in 1986 from the University of Pennsylvania.  He was a NATO Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center for Mathematical Biology at Oxford for one year before beginning his appointment in the Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science at the University of Minnesota in 1987.  He served as the head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering from its inception in 2000 until 2019.  Prof. Tranquillo has used a combined modeling and experimental approach to understand cell behavior, in particular, directed cell migration, and cell-matrix mechanical interactions.  More recently, his research program has focused on the role of these cell behaviors in cardiovascular and neural tissue engineering applications.  His research program has resulted in over 100 peer-reviewed original research publications as first or senior author, being recognized with his selection for the TERMIS-AM Senior Scientist Award in 2015.  Resulting intellectual property for a regenerative cardiovascular product platform technology has been licensed by Vascudyne, Inc.  Prof. Tranquillo is a Fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering, and the Biomedical Engineering Society, and he is also a Distinguished McKnight University Professor.