Stepping from the lab into the city spotlight, Professor Bozhi Tian of the Department of Chemistry has been selected as one of the distinguished honorees for the Chicago Reader's "People Issue 2025”. The People Issue is an annual feature that spotlights Chicagoans who are fundamentally shaping the city's culture, science, and public life. Professor Tian was chosen for his profound impact in the emerging field of bioelectronics and, crucially, his unique philosophy of merging scientific rigor with deep, creative imagination.
Professor Tian's science focuses on pioneering the merger of semiconductor technology with living tissue, advancing devices that can seamlessly integrate with and modulate the human body. His groundbreaking research has resulted in systems that address critical clinical challenges. His recent research has delivered innovations in "living bioelectronics"— such as a flexible patch integrating sensors and living cells to sense and heal skin conditions like psoriasis—and the invention of an ultra-thin, minimally-invasive pacemaker controlled by light. His team has also introduced a revolutionary transistor that can adhere to internal organs like tape, enabling stable, suture-free medical monitoring inside the body. This forward-thinking work—melding creative inspiration with molecular innovation—is what earns Professor Tian his place among Chicago's most impactful figures making a difference in Chicago.