Summary

George Whitesides: A professor at Harvard University, Whitesides is a seminal figure in the world of microfluidics. He has pioneered soft lithography techniques and has numerous patents and publications, setting the foundation for microfluidic devices. Stephen Quake: Co-president…

Key Takeaway

• George Whitesides: A professor at Harvard University, Whitesides is a seminal figure in the world of microfluidics.
• He has pioneered soft lithography techniques and has numerous patents and publications, setting the foundation for microfluidic devices.
• Stephen Quake: Co-president of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub and a professor at Stanford, Quake’s innovations in single-cell genomics have been facilitated by microfluidic technologies, and he continues to push the boundaries of its applications in biology.
• Luke Lee: A professor at UC Berkeley, Lee’s research encompasses bio-inspired materials and devices, especially in creating microfluidic platforms for diagnostics and therapeutics.
• Shuichi Takayama: Currently at Georgia Tech, Takayama delves deep into the realms of micro- and nanotechnology for biology and medicine.

Body

George Whitesides: A professor at Harvard University, Whitesides is a seminal figure in the world of microfluidics. He has pioneered soft lithography techniques and has numerous patents and publications, setting the foundation for microfluidic devices. Stephen Quake: Co-president of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub and a professor at Stanford, Quake’s innovations in single-cell genomics have been facilitated by microfluidic technologies, and he continues to push the boundaries of its applications in biology. Luke Lee: A professor at UC Berkeley, Lee’s research encompasses bio-inspired materials and devices, especially in creating microfluidic platforms for diagnostics and therapeutics. Shuichi Takayama: Currently at Georgia Tech, Takayama delves deep into the realms of micro- and nanotechnology for biology and medicine. His work on 3D cell culture and organs-on-a-chip is groundbreaking. Paul Yager: A researcher at the University of Washington, Yager has made significant contributions to point-of-care diagnostics using paper-based microfluidics, democratizing healthcare access. Aaron Wheeler: Based at the University of Toronto, Wheeler is known for his work on digital microfluidics, leveraging electrowetting to manipulate droplets on open surfaces, which has myriad applications in chemistry and biology. Emmanuel Delamarche: Affiliated with IBM Research – Zurich, Delamarche’s work in precision diagnostics using capillary-driven microfluidic chips holds great promise for rapid and portable medical tests. Noemie-Manuelle Dorval Courchesne: A professor at McGill University, Courchesne’s innovative research lies at the intersection of microfluidics, materials science, and sustainable technologies. Sangeeta Bhatia: At MIT, Bhatia has been instrumental in harnessing microfluidics for liver tissue engineering and disease modeling, notably for the development of liver-on-a-chip systems. Hang Lu: Based at Georgia Tech, Lu’s research on automated and quantitative microfluidic devices, especially for neurobiology applications, offers insights into the potential of microfluidics in studying complex biological systems.

Final Takeaway

Decide what matters, execute in short cycles, and make progress visible every week—so you enter 2026 with momentum.

About Ian Khan – Keynote Speaker & The Futurist

Ian Khan, the Futurist, is a USA Today & Publishers Weekly National Bestselling Author of Undisrupted, Thinkers50 Future Readiness shortlist, and a Top Keynote Speaker. He is Futurist and a media personality focused on future-ready leadership, AI productivity and ethics, and purpose-driven growth. Ian hosts The Futurist on Amazon Prime Video, and founded Impact Story (K-12 Robotics & AI). He is frequently featured on CNN, BBC, Bloomberg, and Fast Company.

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