Collaborative Research Community

Our research is interdisciplinary, enhanced by our close physical proximity to the University of Rochester Medical Center. Nineteen primary faculty and over 40 secondary and doctoral training faculty members work with our students. Our doctoral training faculty are those who can also be primary advisors of BME doctoral students and serve as departmental members on student advisory committees, dissertation committees, and offer true translational exposure. 

Because biomedical engineering spans a wide range of scientific and clinical fields, many of our faculty hold secondary appointments in other departments and centers across the university. Most faculty members have expertise in more than one research area and virtually all have research programs which involve faculty from multiple departments. For example, research in musculoskeletal biomechanics might involve the use of advanced medical imaging techniques, or the development of novel biosensors may involve both instrumentation and cell biology. This collaborative, cross-disciplinary environment provides students with a rich and flexible foundation for impactful research.

Research Areas

Research in our department spans molecular to whole-body dynamics, encompassing a wide variety of physiological systems and experimental approaches.  Our interdisciplinary focus is enhanced by close ties to the University of Rochester Medical Center and other nearby research facilities, creating extensive opportunities for collaboration. Core areas of strength include Biomechanics, Biomedical Acoustics, Biomedical Nanotechnology, Biomedical Optics, Cell & Tissue Engineering, Medical Imaging, Neuroengineering and many other emerging and cross-cutting areas.

A graphic illustrating biomechanics.

Biomechanics

Biomechanics is the study of how the body moves and how various parts function together, from the molecular level in our cells to larger systems like muscles, bones, and organs.

Researchers in a lab looking at images and data of cochlear tissue, acquired using optical coherence tomography.

Biomedical Acoustics

Biomedical acoustics is the study of how the properties of sound affect the human body. Biomedical engineers leverage acoustical properties in many ways to develop new technologies and improve medical care, ranging from advanced ultrasound techniques to new forms of hearing aids.

Gloved hands using tweezers to apply a chip.

Biomedical Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is developed by manipulating matter at 1 to 100 nanometers in size—bigger than what scientists normally consider molecules but smaller than bulk materials. As a result of their size, these nanomaterials have unique properties with a broad range of applications in medicine and basic biological research.

Researchers applying a sensor to a subject in an exam room.

Biomedical Optics

Biomedical optics uses the physical properties of light to design and apply advanced techniques to solve pressing problems in medicine and biology.

A close up of engineered tissue.

Cell and Tissue Engineering

Cell and tissue engineering seeks to understand and control the behavior of cells and tissues, focusing on how environmental factors—such as chemical and physical influences—affect cell growth, differentiation, and behavior.

A handheld imaging device.

Medical Imaging

Medical imaging uses advanced technologies like X-rays, ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look inside the human body. These tools help doctors and technicians diagnose, monitor, and treat illnesses or injuries.

A biomedical engineering student adjusts an electroencephalography cap on a fellow lab member.

Neuroengineering

Neuroengineering combines the principles of engineering and neuroscience to develop new technologies to enhance function and treat neurological diseases that affect the brain and nervous systems.

From Research to Industry

For decades, the University of Rochester has successfully supported faculty and students looking to take the research they’ve developed into the real world, either through industry partnerships or the creation of their own companies.

University organizations that help support this transition include the:

A few start-up companies biomedical engineering primary or secondary faculty members helped to launch include SiMPore Inc., Phlotonics, and VirtualScopics.

SiMPore Inc.

SiMPore Inc. was founded by biomedical engineering faculty members James McGrath and Philippe Fauchet, PhD student Tom Gaborski, and other colleagues when they recognized the opportunities for a development of a novel membrane filter. This technology offers unparalleled precision in separation and purification with applications ranging from drug development to nanotechnology.

Phlotonics

Phlotonics was founded by biomedical engineering faculty member Benjamin L. Miller  and biophysics alumni Daniel Steiner ’21 PhD and Mickey Bryan ’21 PhD. The company integrates photonic sensors with microphysiological systems for research and drug development.

Born from the COVID-19 pandemic, the technology was developed by a consortium of academic and industrial collaborators to combat the virus by rapidly screening immune response to viral infection to further our understanding of vaccine efficacy.

VirtualScopics

VirtualScopics was founded in 1999 by BME faculty members Saara Totterman, and Kevin Parker, along with José Tamez, and Edward Ashton. Their technology enables faster and more reliable detection of disease progression or therapeutic benefit, and accelerates the clinical trial process.

VirtualScopics utilizes its patented suite of image analysis algorithms to detect, measure, and analyze specific biological structures from CT, MRI, PET, and ultrasound data. In 2016, VirtualScopics was sold to the 16,000-employee company BioTelemetry, and was acquired twice more before becoming part of ICON PLC, which currently employs 44,000 people.