William E. Bentley is an American academic and researcher specializing in bioengineering. He holds the position of Robert E. Fischell Distinguished Professor of Engineering at the University of Maryland, where he also serves as the founding Director of the Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices and the Director of the Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute within the A. James Clark School of Engineering.
Throughout his career at the University of Maryland, College Park, Bentley has played a pivotal role in developing its academic programs, including assisting in the establishment of the Fischell Department of Bioengineering, which he previously chaired. Additionally, he holds appointments in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research.
Beyond his university roles, Bentley has contributed his expertise to national and state-level scientific policy and research oversight. He has served on numerous advisory committees and panels for major federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
