Eric Perreault, a research executive, academic leader and biomedical engineering professor at Northwestern University, has been selected as the third chief executive officer of the Morgridge Institute for Research, beginning early in 2027.
The Morgridge Institute is an independent biomedical research organization closely affiliated with the University of Wisconsin–Madison, with the purpose of advancing frontiers across biomedical research to improve human health. Perreault will lead a team of 24 investigators and nearly 200 additional members with expertise in the biomedical sciences, engineering, science communication, ethics and public engagement.
Over more than two decades with Northwestern, Perreault has taken on increasing responsibilities in research administration, most recently as Northwestern’s vice president for research from 2023 to 2026. Perreault has also been associate dean for research in the McCormick School of Engineering and chair of the school’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, where he has served on the faculty since 2002.
“Eric’s commitment to fearless science, interdisciplinary discovery, and serving our public and scientific communities makes him an inspiring choice to lead Morgridge into its next decade.” Jacquelyn Fredrick
The Morgridge Institute Board of Trustees selected Perreault in August after a national search for a successor to Morgridge CEO Brad Schwartz, who has led the institute since 2013. Schwartz announced his retirement earlier this year and will continue to lead Morgridge until Perreault begins his tenure.
“Eric’s commitment to fearless science, interdisciplinary discovery, and serving our public and scientific communities makes him an inspiring choice to lead Morgridge into its next decade,” says Morgridge Board Chair Jacquelyn Fredrick. “What an important moment for the Morgridge Institute. We are delighted to bring Eric to Wisconsin.”
Perreault says the Morgridge Institute has many essential attributes for high-impact modern biomedical research, including a commitment to cross-disciplinary collaboration and a focus on the institute’s mission of “fearless science.” The phrase captures Morgridge’s desire to think beyond short-term metrics by giving researchers the support and time needed to address big challenges in biomedicine — and the freedom to go where the science takes them.
In addition, Perreault says he is inspired by the institute’s extensive research partnerships with UW–Madison and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF). Both Morgridge and WARF can provide an “amplifying effect” on the world-class research taking place across campus.
“The science done at Morgridge and the resources that enable it are outstanding. I look forward to building on the strong foundation that Brad Schwartz and the Morgridge team have established and working to expand collaborations with the university for mutual benefit and impact,” Perreault adds. “Together, we can have Morgridge recognized as a destination where the world’s best scientists want to come and stay, because of the talent it supports, the community in which it is embedded, and the model it presents for how great science can be done.”
Perreault’s research is in the field of neuromechanics, addressing the physiological mechanisms contributing to the neural control of posture and movement. Through long-term interdisciplinary partnerships, the fundamental discoveries in his laboratory have furthered our ability to treat mobility impairments resulting from limb loss, spinal cord injury, and stroke. His collaborative approach to research has benefitted from joint appointments at Biomedical Engineering and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Northwestern, as well as at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, long recognized as the #1 rehabilitation hospital in the country by U.S. News and World Report.
Perreault’s commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary science extends beyond his laboratory and was a major focus of his tenure as Northwestern’s vice president for research. For example, Perreault launched a campus-wide visioning process that produced the Northwestern Network for Collaborative Intelligence, designed to accelerate teaching and research in data science and artificial intelligence. He also oversaw Northwestern’s 20-plus University Research Institutes and Centers, including the establishment of new centers in the biosciences that draw on expertise from several disciplines.
Perreault sees that same spirit at work across Morgridge research areas.
“Morgridge has strong fundamental biology research in areas like regeneration, virology and metabolism, combined with cross-cutting technical expertise in proteomics, imaging and data science,” he says. “The collaboration network that these complementary domains of expertise have fostered both within Morgridge and in partnership with the rest of the university is inspiring and demonstrably productive.”
Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau, dean of UW–Madison’s new College of Computing & Artificial Intelligence who served on the search committee, says Perreault will be an excellent fit for Morgridge. His college, next door to Morgridge, will be ripe for partnership opportunities, he says. “I can’t think of a better person to take the helm of the fearless, curiosity-driven mission that is the hallmark of Morgridge, and look forward to our collaborations with him and all the Morgridge investigators in the years to come.”
“Together, we can have Morgridge recognized as a destination where the world’s best scientists want to come and stay, because of the talent it supports, the community in which it is embedded, and the model it presents for how great science can be done.” Eric Perreault
Morgridge Investigator Phil Newmark, who also served on the search committee, says Perreault impressed him as a “service-oriented leader” who has helped launch and expand the careers of others. “He values all aspects of the institute’s mission and is an exceptionally clear communicator,” Newmark says. “We can be confident that he will follow in Brad’s footsteps as an outspoken and convincing advocate for the importance of curiosity-driven research and the role of the institute in supporting such work.”
“Eric Perreault embodies a core ethos of the Morgridge Institute: rigorous science paired with a genuine drive to see it have significant impact outside the lab,” adds Erik Iverson, CEO of WARF. “His work bridging neuroscience, biomechanics and rehabilitation technologies is a model for the interdisciplinary, curiosity-driven research Morgridge was built to advance and he understands the institute’s vital role in complementing UW–Madison’s excellence.”
Perreault has served as a national leader in recent years for several research organizations. He was elected chair of the National Advisory Board for Medical Rehabilitation Research (2021-23), president of the International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology (2020-22), and chair of the 150-member Biomedical Engineering Council of Chairs (2019).
As a leader, Perreault sees a critical need for scientists to communicate more effectively with the public about science’s role in society. Institutions around the country are getting on board with that mission, he says, but Morgridge has walked the walk since its origins 20 years ago, with public engagement programs that reach thousands of young people annually, as well as scholarly programs in science communication and bioethics.
As Perreault was getting to know the institute over the summer, his interview with Morgridge co-founders John and Tashia Morgridge was especially memorable. “I asked them what they want the next CEO to keep in mind so that their vision of Morgridge continues, and they came back with one word: Fulfillment.”
“They explained their desire to have each member of the Morgridge team be proud of the work they do, inspired by what their colleagues do, and committed to working together each day,” he says. “Their single word nicely summarized the enthusiasm, commitment, and productivity I had been observing, and what I will work to persevere as Morgridge’s next CEO.”