George named Stuckenberg Professor of Technology & Human Affairs​​​

​Steven C. George, MD, PhD, chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, has been named the Elvera & William Stuckenberg Professor of Technology & Human Affairs.

The Stuckenberg Professorship in the School of Engineering & Applied Science was established in 1986 with funds from the estate of William R. Stuckenberg and support from his sister, Elvera, to help future engineers understand the broad ethical, social and political implication of technological development.

Today’s engineers are particularly adept at blending their scientific knowledge and technical expertise to help solve critical human and societal problems. With his medical and engineering degrees and research experience, George has had firsthand experience as to how new technologies can be translated and applied to directly impact human health. Furthermore, as chair of biomedical engineering, his teaching experience at the undergraduate and graduate levels will ensure that the curriculum for these students will reflect the broader implications of these technologies as well.

“I am pleased to name Steve George as the Elvera & William Stuckenberg Professor of Technology & Human Affairs,” said Ralph S. Quatrano, PhD, dean and the Spencer T. Olin Professor. “With his groundbreaking work in tissue engineering designed to ultimately improve human health, Steve is an excellent choice for this professorship. We are grateful to the Stuckenbergs for recognizing years ago how technology would have a tremendous impact on society and health. ”

George’s research interests include tissue engineering, with particular interest in creating microphysiological systems, vascularizing engineered tissues and linking optical and mechanical properties of tissue. One of his current research projects, funded by the National Institutes of Health, seeks to create 3-D chips with living cells and tissues that accurately model the structure and function of human organs. Another project seeks to develop new tissue-engineered inspired models of cancer cell metastasis.

George, who was installed as the Stuckenberg Professor Sept. 22, joined Washington University July 1 as professor and chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering. He came from the University of California, Irvine, where he was professor of biomedical engineering and of chemical engineering & materials science and the Edwards Lifesciences Professor and director of the Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology.

George earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Northwestern University and a medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He earned a doctorate in chemical engineering and completed postdoctoral fellowships in physiology, all at the University of Washington in Seattle.

The Stuckenberg Family

William Stuckenberg graduated from Washington University in 1924 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He founded his own construction and residential property management company in St. Louis, and his sister worked with him in those enterprises.

Elvera Stuckenberg was active in several civic and philanthropic organizations in St. Louis, including many that support the arts and education. She was a longtime volunteer at Deaconess Hospital.

The Stuckenbergs, who had strong commitments to education, were very supportive of Washington University. Elvera Stuckenberg funded numerous scholarships for female engineering students and endowed the William R. Stuckenberg Memorial Scholarship. In addition to the Elvera and William Stuckenberg Professorship, William Stuckenberg endowed the William R. Stuckenberg Professorship in Human Values and Moral Development in the Department of Psychology in Arts & Sciences.

William Stuckenberg died in 1986, and Elvera Stuckenberg died in 1994.

The School of Engineering & Applied Science

The School of Engineering focuses intellectual efforts through a new convergence paradigm and builds on strengths, particularly as applied to medicine and health, energy and environment, entrepreneurship and security.

With 91 tenured/tenure-track and 40 additional full-time faculty, 1,300 undergraduate students, 750 graduate students and more than 23,000 alumni, we are working to leverage our partnerships with academic and industry partners — across disciplines and across the world — to contribute to solving the greatest global challenges of the 21st century.