Larry Millet

After working in the Portland Technology Development Division of Intel Corporation, Millet earned his PhD in cell and developmental biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, where he used micro- and nanoscale systems to study neuronal cell growth and differentiation. As a postdoctoral researcher and manager of the BioNanotechnology Laboratory in the College of Engineering at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he led research. He taught summer research institute classes in cross-disciplinary research, melding bioengineering, materials science, and biology. Millet further contributed to the field as a postdoctoral researcher in biological and materials science at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, funded by the Department of Energy and DARPA. There, he developed and applied nanofluidic and microfluidic platforms for cell-free protein synthesis, contributing to technological advancements in medicinal chemistry and participating in mesoscale biological and chemical sampling initiatives. Presently, he holds leadership roles in federally funded projects supported by NIH, USDA, local foundations, and industry partners.

Millet leads a multidisciplinary research program that integrates physical, chemical, and life sciences to tackle significant environmental and biomedical challenges. A notable accomplishment from his lab is the ability to culture hypothalamic magnocellular neurons under defined conditions, allowing for the study of cellular processes underlying neuroendocrine regulation. This unique in vitro preparation overcomes a 40-year-plus challenge in neurobiology, opening new opportunities to study the molecular and cellular basis of disorders involving oxytocin and vasopressin neuroendocrine regulatory cells. This work may also help reveal how the growing array of endocrine-disrupting chemicals influences cellular mechanisms. The same surface preparation is also proving beneficial for sustaining iPSC-derived neurons and promoting the development of axonal extensions from organotypic brain slices and organoids over extended periods.

Millet actively contributes to university governance through Faculty Senate representation and college-level committee service, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and advancing institutional priorities.