UI Department of Bioengineering

University of Illinois researchers are trying to revolutionize cancer surgery with virtual reality goggles that can detect cancerous tissues using infrared neon light. The technology was developed in the university’s biosensors lab by electrical engineering and bioengineering professor Viktor Gruev and research scientist Zhongmin Zhu, and was reported on by WCIA. Though the results have not been finalized, the goggles appear to have cut down surgery time and helped doctors locate cancerous tissues which may have gone overlooked. See the full story:

‘Superhuman vision for the surgeon’: U of I researcher develops VR goggles for cancer surgery URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — University of Illinois researchers are trying to revolutionize cancer surgery with virtual reality goggles that can detect cancerous tissues using infrared neon light. T…

A multidisciplinary team led by U. of I. chemical and biomolecular engineering and bioengineering professor Huimin Zhao has received a Phase I award through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission to develop the world’s first foundation models specifically designed for metabolic engineering. “Biological design presents an enormous challenge because of the complexity of genes, enzymes, metabolic pathways and environmental interactions,” Zhao said. “Our goal is to create artificial intelligence foundation models that can learn from diverse biological data and help scientists predict and design new biological functions much more efficiently than is possible today.” Learn more: https://bioengineering.illinois.edu/news/doe-award

💥BIOE Alumni Spotlight: Jongwon Lim🟠🔬🔵

Jongwon’s journey from a Ph.D. student in Champaign to the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard has been driven by a passion for solving real-world healthcare challenges.

Now a Postdoctoral Associate in the Sabeti Lab, he’s developing rapid molecular diagnostics and innovative sample preparation methods that enable faster infectious disease detection directly from whole blood. Jongwon’s work brings together bioengineering, molecular biology, and global health to create technologies that can improve outbreak response and expand access to diagnostics.

One of Jongwon’s most memorable experiences from his Ph.D. was conducting research in Dr. Rashid Bashir's lab, where collaborating with researchers from diverse backgrounds reinforced how engineering can be used to solve complex biomedical problems. This perspective continues to shape his research today.

Looking ahead, Jongwon aspires to lead his own academic research program at the intersection of bioengineering, diagnostics, and infectious disease, developing next-generation molecular technologies that make biological measurements faster, simpler, and more accessible.

When asked what advice he would give current and prospective students, he emphasized the importance of finding mentors and role models:

"Find people who represent the version of yourself you hope to become and learn from them. Even if you are not completely certain about your long-term career path, set a direction. "

Jongwon also encourages students to reach out, ask questions, and learn from those who have walked similar paths. As an international student, he found inspiration in connecting with others who shared similar experiences and demonstrated that fulfilling careers are possible, even when some opportunities may seem out of reach.

We're proud to celebrate alumni who continue to push the frontiers of bioengineering while inspiring the next generation of researchers and innovators.

At home medical testing just took a big leap forward. Research led by Han Keun Lee, in the laboratory of electrical and computer engineering and bioengineering professor Brian Cunningham (CGD leader), in collaboration with bioengineering professor Xing Wang (CGD), was recently published in the IEEE Sensors Journal. They call their new point-of-care device the VPod, and it is about the size of an AirPods case. “There is a famous saying that medicine is blind without diagnostics,” Lee said. "The purpose of testing at the point-of-care is not necessarily to give a definitive diagnosis, but rather to allow more frequent testing so that someone has a better chance of receiving timely treatment.” Learn more:

AirPods-Sized Fluorescence Analytical Device Holds the Promise for Timely Home Molecular Testing Research on at home medical testing led by Han Keun Lee in the laboratory of electrical and computer engineering and bioengineering professor Brian Cunningham (CGD leader), in collaboration with bioengineering professor Xing Wang (CGD), was published in the IEEE Sensors Journal.

Presenting the newest sculpture on campus, right in front of Everitt Lab!

Bioengineering professor Yang Liu’s lab, including first author Phuong “Hong” Nguyen, has developed a novel approach to immunofluorescence that is easier, faster, and more accessible. The discovery, called Universal Multiplexed Immunofluorescence (umIF), is outlined in a paper published in Small Methods. "Our goal was not simply to create another multiplexed [immunofluorescence] protocol," said Liu, "but to make spatial protein profiling more practical for real clinical specimens and large-scale tissue mapping studies.” Learn more: https://bioengineering.illinois.edu/news/umif

Congratulations to Emily Depke, Neural Engineering major, and to all the talented students chosen for this amazing program!

🎉🎊Join us in celebrating our inaugural cohort of Illinois-Substance Use and Mental Health Mentored Experience and Research (I-SUMMER) scholars🎉🎊

With support from an The National Institute on Drug Abuse - NIDA 🎉 R25 research education grant, IHSI has been able to invite 9 scholars to contribute to community engaged research projects focused on substance use and mental health comorbidities.

🎉🎊 Meet the new cohort! 🎉🎊

Curtis Lok and Louisa Nwaigbo are working with Prof. Jacinda K. Dariotis and Rosecrance Behavioral Health to investigate early life predictors of substance use risk-taking among transition-aged youth.

J Beto is also working with Prof. Dariotis and Champaign Unit 4 Schools on a Youth Participatory Action Research Experience related to substance use.

Emily Depke and Gurneer Sidhu are working with Professor Rachel Hoopsick, and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) on a study examining how to best support healthcare worker well-being.

Sophia Stuart is also working with Professor Hoopsick and a mentor from CUPHD on a study examining nitrous oxide misuse among young adults.

Blessing Eyinle is working with a mentor from UI Health and Professor Charee Thompson to explore mental health and substance use screening and interventions to improve women's health.

Dontavious Williams is working with mentors from Urbana Park District as well as Professors Moses Okumu and Doug Smith to better understand substance use and mental health among young adults in Champaign-Urbana.

Kaile Yang is working with Professor Hyojung Kang and CUPHD on understanding polysubstance use patterns and overdose risk in Champaign-Urbana.

We also want to express many thanks and congratulations to the IHSI team members and affiliated researchers for bringing this vision to life!

Learn more about the scholars and their projects at the link on our LinkTree!

Two Illinois faculty members are beginning new leadership roles within the university’s magnetic resonance imaging research community.

Brad Sutton, a Founder Professor in Bioengineering, became the director of Beckman’s Biomedical Imaging Center on June 15. And beginning August 15, pending ex*****on of a final memorandum of understanding, Andrew Webb, a professor of bioengineering, will become co-director of the Carle Illinois Advanced Imaging Center. The Beckman Institute will confirm the appointment once the agreement is finalized.

Learn more: https://bioengineering.illinois.edu/news/mri-leadership

🚨 Where are they now? Alumni Spotlight: Vidhi Parmar🚨
From ✈️Mumbai to ✈️Champaign to ✈️Los Angeles, our alumni continue to make an impact in bioengineering and beyond!

Meet Vidhi Parmar, a 2024 graduate of the M.Eng. in Bioengineering, Bioinstrumentation concentration, now working as an R&D Engineer at Nventric, Inc. in Los Angeles, CA!

When asked what drew her to Illinois, Vidhi noted that she was "impressed by the M.Eng. program's comprehensive structure, which integrates both engineering principles and business insights. This approach is ideal for individuals like me who wish to gain a thorough understanding of technical concepts while also appreciating the strategic and financial aspects of the field."

Today, Vidhi's applying the foundation she built at Illinois to her current role as an R&D Engineer at Nventric Inc., gaining firsthand experience in the journey of medical devices from concept to market. It's a role that reflects both the technical and strategic perspectives that first drew her to the M.Eng. program.

One of the most memorable aspects of her time at Illinois was the diversity of the program. Learning alongside classmates from a wide range of countries and cultures, all united by a shared passion for improving healthcare, made a lasting impression and enriched her graduate experience.

Sharing a few words of wisdom, Vidhi notes that "one lesson I will always carry forward is the importance of networking and connecting with others. I regret not reaching out more during my school days, but I learned the hard way that it's crucial to represent yourself and engage with people—no one else will do it for you."

We're proud to celebrate alumni who are transforming healthcare through innovation and carrying the Illinois spirit wherever their careers take them. 🧡💙