Welcome to Investigator Talks (iTalks), a video series from Temple University’s Innovation Nest that brings groundbreaking ideas and research to life — one voice at a time.

Each month, we spotlight a different Temple innovator who is pushing the boundaries of discovery, creativity, and impact. From lab breakthroughs and real-world applications to entrepreneurial journeys and community engagement, iTalks invites you to explore the minds shaping tomorrow’s solutions, today.

Featured Talks

Philip Dames
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Temple University

Dr. Philip Dames is an associate professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Temple Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Lab. His research explores how mobile robots navigate the world, collaborate with humans, and gather critical data in environments that are dull, dirty, dangerous, or high-stakes. From disaster response to infrastructure inspection, Dr. Dames’s work has broad implications across industries. His lab is also developing new ways for robots to interpret human language and work together as teams. Watch his iTalks video to learn how his work is pushing the boundaries of robotics and engineering innovation.

Karin Wang
Assistant Professor, Bioengineering Department, College of Engineering, Temple University

Dr. Karen Wang is an assistant professor of bioengineering whose lab studies how cells interact with the fibrous matrix around them—and how these interactions drive diseases like fibrosis, cancer metastasis, and diabetes. Using engineered platforms that mimic human tissue environments, her team is developing tools to diagnose disease, test therapeutics, and understand how physical forces influence cell behavior. Her student-powered lab bridges basic science and translational potential. Watch her iTalks video to learn how Dr. Wang’s research is shaping the future of regenerative medicine and disease modeling.