Raquel Parreira

Charles Humbert 8, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

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About

Raquel Parreira is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of soft robotics, nanotechnology, and biomedical engineering, whose work is reshaping how scientists interact with biological systems at the microscale. Her research focuses on developing biologically inspired microdevices that harness advanced nanomaterials and remote actuation principles to enable unprecedented manipulation and investigation of living tissues. Parreira's most celebrated contribution, "Modular soft robotic microdevices for dexterous biomanipulation" (2019, 46 citations), introduced a groundbreaking methodology combining programmable colloidal self-assembly, plasmonic nanotransducers, and compliant polymer systems to create sophisticated soft MEMS devices. Building on this foundation, her 2020 work on remotely controlled colloidal assembly demonstrated how multifunctional, magnetized gold nanorods could be directed to form untethered artificial muscle microactuators — earning 20 citations for its elegant bottom-up fabrication approach. Her more recent research extends these innovations into biomedical application, developing laser-powered compression devices capable of probing tissue mechanics in vitro with remarkable wireless precision. Collectively, Parreira's contributions represent a compelling vision for the future of minimally invasive biomedical tools, positioning her as an emerging leader in soft microrobotics and nanoscale biomanipulation.