Research Overview

Two students, one female and one male, look at vial full of material. They are in a lab space.

Biomedical Engineering Research

Research in the Department of Biomedical Engineering is focused on four primary areas: Imaging technologies, Medical devices, Regenerative medicine and Sensing and monitoring systems. Toward impacting health outcomes, a hallmark of our research is the focus on translation to the clinic and entrepreneurship.

Female researcher looking at illuminated arm experiment

Imaging Technologies

Research efforts are largely based in optical microscopy, spectroscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging for the purposes of improving the diagnosis of cancer and infectious diseases.

Photo of a small spring looking device with an expandable polymer base.

Medical Devices

With a strong translational focus and extensive ties to industry, research topics include on-chip systems, devices to support heart healing, interventional stroke and aneurysm treatment, and pediatric devices.

Regenerative Medicine

Research advances in biomaterials and biomanufacturing include "smart" materials, biomimetic nanomaterials, 3D printing strategies, cell manufacturing, and wound hemostasis.

Research places a microchip onto wearable medical device.

Sensing & Monitoring Systems

Supported by the Center for Remote Health Technologies, research efforts are focused on sensors and point-of-care devices for on-demand detection of biomarkers for chronic disease.

Female student works with computer equipment in lab

Biomedical engineers grow 3D bioprinted blood vessel

Biomedical engineering researchers have designed a 3D-bioprinted model of a blood vessel that mimics its state of health and disease, thus paving the way for possible cardiovascular drug advancements with better precision.

Student looking through microscope in lab

New organ-on-a-chip finds crucial interaction between blood, ovarian cancer tumors

Dr. Abhishek Jain and his team recently developed a new organ-on-a-chip that recreates the microenvironment of an ovarian cancer tumor, allowing researchers to better analyze how these cells interact with the blood and improve cancer treatment methods.

Female student looks at microscope display of cell

Gut research innovations could help veterans through regenerative medicine

Dr. Shreya Raghavan is developing new ways to use regenerative medicine to understand and more effectively treat gastrointestinal diseases, such as Gulf War Illness, a multi-symptom illness that impacts an estimated 25% to 35% of veterans from the Gulf War.

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Precise Advanced Technologies and Health Systems for Underserved Populations

Funded by an NSF Engineering Research Center grant, PATHS-UP is working to develop revolutionary and cost-effective technologies and systems at the point-of-care.

Southwest National Pediatric Device Innovation Consortium

The SWPDC is a virtual accelerator that supports pediatric device innovators throughout the pediatric device life cycle and is supported by a grant from the FDA.

Other Resources

The Department of Biomedical Engineering regularly collaborates with members of the below groups of both on-campus and external partners.