Carnegie Mellon Biomedical Engineering (BME)

Researchers from Xi (Charlie) Ren's lab have co-created a miniature airway organoid model that more accurately reflects real lung biology by pairing lung-derived biomaterials with an “apical-out” design, allowing scientists to better study infections, environmental exposures, and respiratory disease. Go to the link in our bio to learn more!

CMU BME's Professor Bin He and his research team have developed a new noninvasive brain stimulation technique, by showing how focused ultrasound affects the human brain. Using brainwave recordings from human participants, the team found that focused ultrasound can subtly influence brain activity without directly causing neurons to fire. Check out the full article in the link below!

New stimulation method builds on focused ultrasound research A new study shows ultrasound can subtly prepare the brain to respond, rather than directly triggering activity. Combined with light electrical stimulation, it produces stronger, targeted effects for future therapies.

Olivia LaFond, a Carnegie Mellon University senior majoring in biomedical and chemical engineering, created a 3D-printed device that one day could be used to reduce the need for invasive procedures or even deliver medication directly inside the body over time. The design of the device, meant to attach to the small intestine, is inspired by tapeworms.

Tapeworms Inspire Medical Device Created During Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Olivia LaFond, a Carnegie Mellon University senior majoring in biomedical and chemical engineering, created a 3D-printed device based on tapeworms designed to attach to the small intestine and deliver sensors or modular treatments over time.

Before break, our student BMES chapter hosted an industry panel that brought together nearly 40 students to learn more about career pathways in biomedical engineering. It was a fantastic opportunity for students to hear firsthand about the panelists’ journeys and ask thoughtful questions about navigating the field.

A sincere thank you to our panelists for sharing their time and insights: Jarrett Boyd, Nilo Medical Consulting Group, Alida Cooke, Smith + Nephew, Emily Gall, Interpace Bioscience, Chloe Lenker, Philips, and Mara McFadden, Endolumik.

We are grateful for your willingness to give back and help our students better understand the many directions a BME degree can take.

There are approximately 86 billion neurons in the human brain, making for a complex biological system that poses challenges in modelling. A team of researchers, including CMU BME professor Matt Smith, recently published a study in Nature demonstrating that neural models don't have to be as complicated as the brain itself!

Matt Smith: Neural Engineering; Exploring neurons in the brain BME’s Matt Smith discusses his group’s research of human brains and behavior. Breakthroughs in this area could lead to treating brain malfunctions and enhanc...

What Inspired You to Become an Engineer: Jana Kainerstorfer Biomedical Engineering's Jana Kainerstorfer talks about her inspiration for becoming an engineer.

Want an inside look into Carnegie Mellon University's AI Science Foundry? Check out this recent article in The Trib, featuring Bingda Li's cutting edge research in emerging biotechnology and its implications for national security. Click "See details" to read the article now!

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CMU BME’s Dr. Sossena Wood was recently featured in the news article “Carnegie Mellon ResearchersRethink Chronic Pain” for her contributions to the understanding of how Sickle-Cell Anemia is processed in the brain. If you are interested in these groundbreaking efforts to rethink pain and the advanced methods for visualizing the brain, check out the linked article.

The parasite that causes Babesiosis infections uses red blood cells to move, potentially to evade the immune system. Tagbo Niepa and researchers in his lab discovered the phenomenon using a microfluidic platform they designed. In the attached image, red blood cells infected with the parasite are visualized using electron microscopy.

The Department of Biomedical Engineering congratulates Karina Shevchenko on her next chapter at the Tepper School of Business. Karina has been a valued member of our team since 2016, continuously growing in her role. Though we will miss Karina greatly, we are extremely proud of the work she has done and the legacy she will continue at Carnegie Mellon University.