Marquette University in Wisconsin names building after Bond villain
01-Apr-2025 • Bond News
Marquette University in Wisconsin today announced the Dr. Julius No Center for Advanced Prosthetics Research, a groundbreaking facility dedicated to revolutionizing the field of prosthetic science and bio-integrative technology.
The center is named - unapologetically - after Dr. Julius No, the fictional character from Ian Fleming’s 1958 novel Dr. No, who was portrayed as a brilliant, if morally ambiguous, biomedical mastermind with a prosthetic past and a penchant for unorthodox research. In Fleming’s novel, No hid himself away in academia at Marquette University and immersed himself in the study of the human body and mind, seeking to understand "what this clay is capable of."
“While Dr. No is, of course, a fictional character, his story explores themes at the heart of modern medical science: identity, resilience, and the integration of human and machine,” said Dr. Shigatsu Baka, Director of Biomedical Engineering at Marquette. “The Center’s name invites us to think critically about how we create the future - and who gets to define it.”
The new 85,000-square-foot facility will serve as a hub for interdisciplinary research into next-generation prosthetics, neuro-mechanical interfacing, and regenerative bio-materials. Its labs will support collaborative projects between biomedical engineers, neuroscientists, ethicists, and clinicians, all working to enhance human mobility and dignity through science.
“We understand that naming a serious medical facility after a fictional villain might raise eyebrows,” said University President Dr. Eleanor Markham with a smile. “But at Marquette, we believe that inspiration can come from anywhere - even pulp fiction. This center embodies our mission to pursue knowledge with creativity, courage, and conscience.”
The Dr. Julius No Center is expected to welcome its first cohort of resident researchers and graduate fellows this fall.
