Dr. Robert Langer is a chemical engineer and entrepreneur whose work has fundamentally reshaped the landscape of biomedical engineering. A professor at MIT, he is one of the most cited scientists in history, a pioneer in controlled drug delivery systems, and a visionary in the development of bioengineered tissues. His contributions span disciplines, bridging chemistry, medicine, and engineering in ways that have saved and improved millions of lives. Among the rare individuals elected to all three U.S. National Academies, Science, Engineering, and Medicine, his influence is immeasurable.
I photographed Bob Langer on October 10, 2023, at his office and laboratories at MIT. His office, lined floor-to-ceiling with awards, diplomas, and plaques, stands as a physical testament to his impact. But despite the grandeur of his achievements, Langer himself is disarmingly humble. He speaks not in the measured tones of someone weighed down by accolades, but with the enthusiasm of a scientist still driven by curiosity, still enthralled by the pursuit of discovery.
He shared stories of his early struggles, how, in his early days at MIT, he was assigned to the nutrition group, a placement that left him uncertain about his future in academia. Securing tenure was anything but guaranteed, and yet, through sheer perseverance and vision, he carved a path that would redefine biomedical engineering. His breakthroughs in drug delivery systems have led to innovations that allow for the precise, controlled release of medications, revolutionizing treatments for cancer, diabetes, and countless other conditions.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Langer’s impact reached an even broader scale. As a co-founder of Moderna, he played a pivotal role in the development of one of the first mRNA-based vaccines, a revolutionary approach that has not only helped end a global crisis but has reshaped the future of vaccine development itself. His ability to transition seamlessly between academia and industry, between fundamental research and real-world application, sets him apart as one of the most influential scientists of our time.
Affable and warm, Langer carries an infectious enthusiasm for scientific discovery. His smile is as much a signature as his research, and his approachable nature makes it clear why he has mentored so many successful researchers. He is a rare figure in science: a bridge between disciplines, between theory and application, between knowledge and transformation. To speak with him, to witness his boundless curiosity, is to be reminded that great science is not only about what is possible, but about what can be made real.
