Liaohai “Leo” Chen, a research scientist who oversaw a $20 million surgical robotics training facility while at the University of Illinois Chicago, has joined WPI as director of both PracticePoint, the university’s healthcare technology research and development facility, and the Biomanufacturing Education and Training Center, or BETC, at Gateway Park.
“Dr. Chen’s extensive experience in surgical robotics and visionary approach to healthcare technology make him an invaluable addition to WPI,” said Bogdan Vernescu, vice president and vice provost for research and innovation at WPI. “We look forward to the advancements and collaborations that will undoubtedly flourish under his guidance.”
Chen said WPI is uniquely poised to leverage the technology and programs available at PracticePoint and the BETC to expand the university’s industry partnerships while promoting faculty research and workforce development.
PracticePoint provides external researchers with access to advanced resources for design, prototyping, and evaluation of health technology and surgical innovations. The Gateway Park facility, opened in 2020, includes a fully functioning operating room and intensive care unit, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suite, and a fully instrumented living environment. It also features advanced manufacturing capabilities, including 3D printing, CNC machining, and electronics assembly.
“The use of robotics in the medical field is booming,” Chen said. “Facilities like PracticePoint provide a test bed for new medical device training and technologies and connect our students and faculty with both startup companies and industry leaders.”