Welcome to Lehigh's Department of Bioengineering!
A Message from Xuanhong Cheng, Chair, 2026
First, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Dr. Anand Ramamurthi for his outstanding leadership over the past six years.
Since I joined the Bioengineering program 18 years ago, I have had the privilege of witnessing our remarkable evolution. Together, we have transitioned into a full department, watched our undergraduate program continuously flourish, experienced the rapid, inspiring growth of our master’s and PhD programs, and seen a rich diversification of our student body. I am incredibly proud to have been a member of this vibrant team for nearly two decades. To my colleagues, thank you deeply for your trust. I am incredibly honored to take on the role of Department Chair.
While we celebrate these achievements, we ought to also look toward our next chapter. To support our expanding student population, particularly our master’s programs, we need to strategically grow our faculty to meet our evolving teaching needs and develop pioneering research thrusts. Furthermore, the dawn of the AI era presents unique educational challenges and opportunities. We should thoughtfully integrate these technologies to amplify our classroom outcomes. Finally, as the Lehigh Valley welcomes a growing wave of biotechnology industries, we have an incredible opportunity to forge powerful new partnerships in both cutting-edge research and student career placement.
I look forward to working closely with all my Bioengineering colleagues as we navigate our shared challenges and seize the exciting opportunities ahead. We will strategically expand our faculty to position research teams for major collaborative grants. Alongside cultivating an inclusive, supportive culture within our department, I am eager to build dynamic, interdisciplinary partnerships across campus to advance both our research and educational missions. Furthermore, I am deeply committed to strengthening ties among our students, our alumni network, and regional industries. Together, we will create an even more vibrant and impactful future for our department.
Xuanhong Cheng, PhD
PETER C ROSSIN PROFESSOR AND DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Fall 2026
