Dr. Donald E. Ingber is a pioneering scientist and visionary leader in the field of biologically inspired engineering. He serves as the Founding Director of the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, the Judah Folkman Professor of Vascular Biology at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital, and Professor of Bioengineering at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. After simultaneously receiving his MD, PhD, and other advanced degrees from Yale University, he established himself as a transformative figure through his innovative integration of engineering principles with biological systems. His leadership in founding the Wyss Institute has created a unique model for interdisciplinary research that bridges the gap between academic discovery and real-world applications.
Dr. Ingber's groundbreaking research has led to major advances in mechanobiology, tissue engineering, and nanobiotechnology, most notably through his discovery that cells are structured at the molecular level using tensegrity architecture which revealed new insights into cellular mechanotransduction. He pioneered the development of human organs-on-chips technology that has revolutionized drug development and toxicity testing by providing more accurate human models while reducing reliance on animal testing, with this innovation earning international design recognition and inclusion in the Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection. His work on angiogenesis research contributed to the development of TNP-470, one of the first angiogenesis inhibitors to enter clinical trials, demonstrating his ability to translate fundamental discoveries into therapeutic applications. With over 500 scientific publications and more than 200 patents spanning anti-cancer therapeutics, medical devices, and biomimetic materials, his prolific output reflects the breadth and impact of his interdisciplinary approach.
As a scientific founder of seven companies including Emulate, Boa Biomedical, and FreeFlow Medical Devices, Dr. Ingber has successfully translated his research into practical applications that address critical healthcare challenges from sepsis treatment to blood clot prevention. His transdisciplinary approach has helped break down traditional boundaries between science, art, and design, fostering unexpected collaborations that drive innovation in unexpected directions. Recognized by his election to the National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Medicine, National Academy of Inventors, and American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he continues to shape the future of biomedical engineering through his leadership at the Wyss Institute. Currently focusing on advancing human organ-on-a-chip technology for personalized medicine and drug development, his ongoing research promises to further transform how we understand human physiology and develop therapeutic interventions.
