Professor Robert Langer at MIT: My Postdoctoral Advisor and the Edison of Medicine
- Jason Lu
- May 3, 2022
- 5 min read
The giant in biomedical engineering, Robert Langer
Introduction
As a former postdoctoral researcher in Professor Robert Langer’s MIT lab, it is both an honor and a pleasure to introduce my mentor and share my personal journey into one of the most creative and influential research environments in the world.
Professor Robert Langer at MIT is not only a pioneer in biomedical engineering but also a scientist whose work has fundamentally reshaped modern medicine, drug delivery, and the global biotechnology industry.
(I also write about scientific career strategy and recently published a book for biomedical professionals navigating today’s job market: Hacking the Hunt, available on Amazon.)
If you’re interested in the broader research context that led me here, you may also enjoy my earlier post: “What Engineers Can Do in the Biomedical Field?”
My First Encounter with Robert Langer at MIT
I vividly remember my first arrival in the United States in 2012. The very next day, I attended the annual Cornell Biomedical Engineering retreat, where the keynote speaker was Professor Robert Langer at MIT.
At that time, as a newly arrived international student, I had no idea who he was—or why so many faculty members and senior researchers were surrounding him throughout the event. Only later, after a quick Google search, did I begin to understand why his presence commanded such attention.
That moment marked my first encounter with a scientist whose influence would later shape my own career path.
Robert Langer’s Training: An Unconventional Beginning
Professor Robert Langer is widely recognized as a pioneer of biomedical engineering and drug delivery science. He is often credited as the first engineer to work inside a hospital to conduct biomedical research—an unconventional and risky move at the time.
Robert Langer earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University and completed his Ph.D. at MIT. Unlike many of his peers, who entered the petroleum or traditional chemical industries, he chose a very different path.
He pursued postdoctoral training in Dr. Judah Folkman’s lab at Boston Children’s Hospital, where he worked on anti-angiogenic (anti-VEGF) approaches for cancer therapy—research that was initially met with skepticism but later revolutionized oncology.
This decision laid the foundation for what would become the MIT drug delivery research ecosystem, now emulated worldwide.
Robert Langer at MIT: The Edison of Medicine
Professor Robert Langer at MIT is often referred to as the “Edison of Medicine”, a title that reflects both his creativity and his unmatched translational impact.
He is one of only 12 Institute Professors at MIT, the highest honor the Institute can award a faculty member.
His academic and industrial influence is extraordinary:
Over 1,500 peer-reviewed scientific publications
The most cited engineer in history
h-index ~299
360,000+ citations (Google Scholar)
More than 1,400 issued and pending patents worldwide
His patents have been licensed or sublicensed to 400+ pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, and medical device companies
Beyond academia, Robert Langer is a co-founder of Moderna, the biotechnology company behind one of the first FDA-authorized mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Moderna’s success is deeply rooted in decades of MIT drug delivery research originating from the Langer Lab.
In total, Robert Langer has co-founded over 40 biotechnology companies, many of which have successfully translated laboratory discoveries into approved therapies and medical devices.
From 1999 to 2002, he also served as Chairman of the FDA’s Science Board, the agency’s highest advisory board.
His major honors include:
U.S. National Medal of Science
U.S. National Medal of Technology and Innovation
(one of only three living individuals to receive both)
Charles Stark Draper Prize (often called the Engineering Nobel Prize)
Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering
Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences
Kyoto Prize, Wolf Prize in Chemistry, Millennium Technology Prize
Priestley Medal (American Chemical Society)
Gairdner Prize and Albany Medical Center Prize
He holds 36 honorary doctorates and is elected to all four U.S. National Academies: Medicine, Engineering, Sciences, and Inventors.
The Cornell Alumni Event That Connected Me to the Langer Lab at MIT
In December 2017, I attended a Cornell alumni event in Boston where Robert Langer at MIT served as the host. It was a small gathering of about 20–30 people, which allowed me to interact with him personally for the first time.
After that event, we stayed in touch. Over time, Bob generously supported me during pivotal moments of my career—writing a recommendation letter for my U.S. green card application, sharing candid advice when I was uncertain about my next steps, and offering long-term perspective on scientific and professional development.
Eventually, this connection led me to join the Langer/Anderson Lab at MIT as a postdoctoral researcher.
Working in the Langer Lab at MIT—and becoming part of the global network of Langer Lab alumni—has been one of the most formative experiences of my scientific life.
Life Inside the Langer Lab at MIT: “Langer Syndrome”
Among Langer Lab alumni, there is a well-known (and highly contagious) condition jokingly referred to as “Langer Syndrome.”
This condition is believed to be caused by the overexpression of genes associated with wanting to become like Robert Langer at MIT.
Common symptoms include:
Carrying multiple mobile devices
Responding to emails in under five minutes
Frequently saying:
“That’s gonna be big”
“Super”
“Fantastic”
A strong craving for chocolate and Diet Coke
If you encounter someone with several of these traits, there is a high probability they are a Langerite.
Bob Langer’s Advice
Despite his extraordinary achievements, Robert Langer’s advice is always simple, direct, and powerful. One message he often shares—and one that has stayed with me—is:
“Believe in yourself. If you love this work, pursue it. Be persistent. Don’t give up.”
Bob often emphasized persistence, clarity, and believing in your own trajectory—lessons that extend far beyond the lab.
These ideas later became the foundation of my book, where I break down how scientists can approach career decisions and job searching with the same rigor and strategy they apply to research.
👉 Learn more about Hacking the Hunt on Amazon:
Conclusion
This is my mentor, my role model, and my postdoctoral advisor—Professor Robert Langer at MIT.
My journey to the Langer Lab is just one example among thousands of scientists influenced by his vision. By standing on the shoulders of this giant, I hope that we, too, can see further—and contribute meaningfully to medicine, biotechnology, and society.
📘From the Langer Lab to Hacking the Hunt
Training in MIT’s Langer Lab shaped how I think about complex problems—not just in science, but in careers. The same principles of strategy, iteration, and execution apply when navigating today’s biomedical job market.
I distilled these lessons into my book:
Hacking the Hunt: The Strategic Playbook for Landing Your Dream Job
A tactical guide for biomedical talent navigating the modern job market—leveraging resume, interview, and career tools strategically.
👉 Available on Amazon:
Comments