Event
BIOE Seminar: 3D Integrated Microtechnologies for Biomedical Engineering and Human Health
Friday, October 9, 2026
9:00 a.m.
A. James Clark Hall, Room #2121
Sara Molinari
saramol@umd.edu
David Gracias
Professor
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
3D Integrated Microtechnologies for Biomedical Engineering and Human Health
Abstract
Contemporary advancements in medical and surgical practices emphasize the integration of modules to augment autonomy, enhance safety, improve efficacy, and minimize invasiveness. Furthermore, the utilization of integrated human microphysiological systems (MPS) is gaining traction in drug discovery and testing. In this presentation, I will elucidate our current research endeavors in the realm of microrobotics and microphysiological systems. One of our projects focuses on the engineering of diminutive microrobotic devices for biopsy and oral delivery of macromolecules. These devices can be fabricated using bioresorbable materials and employ mechanisms such as the triggered release of residual stress or differential swelling to power and enable functionalities like gripping, self-latching, stimuli-responsive locomotion, and 2D to 3D reconfigurability. We envision that such devices will find applications in minimally invasive and untethered surgical biopsy and oral delivery of antibodies and biologics.
Secondly, I will elaborate on our development of 3D integrated shell microdevices for stimulation and recording from electrogenic organoids. These CAD-designed and wafer-fabricated devices can be utilized for 3D spatiotemporal analyses and drug testing. Additionally, I will discuss our work on Organoid Intelligence (OI), which investigates the development of sustainable computational devices employing brain organoids. These studies demonstrate how advanced micro/nanopatterning, 3D fabrication protocols utilizing biocompatible materials, and multi-modal integration can significantly advance biomedical engineering and medicine of broad significance.
Bio
David Gracias is a Professor at the Johns Hopkins University with current appointments in Engineering (primary), Arts & Sciences, and Medicine. Prof. Gracias received his Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and did post-doctoral research at Harvard University prior to starting his lab at JHU in 2003. Over his career, he has made pioneering contributions to micro- and nanotechnology as described in over 200 technical publications and has a citation h-index of 81. Several prestigious awards have recognized Prof. Gracias, including the NSF Career, NIH Director’s New Innovator, Beckman Young Investigator, Camille Dreyfus Teacher Scholar, and the Bessel Award. He is an elected Fellow of leading cross-disciplinary international scientific and engineering societies, including the APS (Physics), RSC (Chemistry), AAAS (Science), AIMBE (Biomedical Engineering), and IEEE (Electrical Engineering). Prof. Gracias is a prolific inventor with 37 issued patents and is involved in engineering translation and technology transfer to society, for which he has been inducted into the National Academy of Inventors (FNAI), which is the highest professional distinction accorded solely to academic inventors.
