Undergraduate Students

BME seniors work to unlock electrotherapy's untapped potential

Alexander James Servantez — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 21:16:38 +0000

BME seniors work to unlock electrotherapy's untapped potential Alexander Jame… Thu, 04/17/2025 - 15:16

Alexander Servantez

CU Boulder alum Griffin Hale was listening to music one day while treating his pain with an electrotherapy device. Each pulsating, electric shock seemed to mesh so beautifully with the various rhythms and melodies—it was almost as if he could feel the music.

He began to wonder: how can music and electric stimulation combine to create a new electrotherapy device that delivers a more immersive and accessible therapeutic experience than ever before?

Nearly a decade's worth of iterating and design has gone into this vision. But a group of seniors in the Biomedical Engineering program (BME) are helping Hale and his team take the next step on their journey during their senior capstone design course.

The project, sponsored by startup company Full Body Sound, aims to gather biological data by analyzing the relationship between electrotherapy and skin conductance. This term refers to the electrical conductivity of the skin and is a key parameter that the team is looking to explore in order to help Hale and his group realize some of their product’s untapped potential.

A histogram representing the various levels of change the group found in skin conductance during electrotherapy.

“We wanted to know if there was any correlation between perceived sensation of electric stimulation and skin conductance. If so, maybe we can use that indicator to create a feedback loop that guides the electrotherapy device to offer varying levels of electrical stimulation tailored to the individual,” said logistics manager Rachel Haug. “We also wanted to analyze the device’s effect on skin conductance. Since skin conductance is often used as an indicator of stress levels, maybe we can take that data and use it to prove the effectiveness of the device.”

To do this, the group purchased an off-the-shelf testing device equipped with sensors to measure skin conductance. They measured 50 different individuals before and after being hooked up to Full Body Sound’s FBS-01 electrotherapy prototype device.

After comparing the data, the team noticed that almost every test subject’s skin conductivity had undergone a noticeable change. But despite that trend, the group concluded that there was no statistical significance or correlation between electrical sensation and skin conductance.

“Most of the data sits within the range of a 25% increase or decrease in skin conductance. There were some outliers below or beyond that, but for the most part our data resembles that stereotypical ‘bell curve’ that you see in engineering so often,” Haug said. “We anticipated from the beginning that this could be a possibility, but it’s still very useful and interesting data for the future.”

A histogram showing the group's pre-test skin conductance levels compared to post-test levels.

While the systems and test engineers were performing tests and gathering data, the other team members were working on the design element. Using their engineering knowledge and experience with the testing device, they were challenged to design their own sensor that can measure skin conductance just as effectively as the one they had purchased previously.

Not only did the team’s sensor perform just as accurately as the purchased device, they were able to build it at a fraction of the price. It even features an intuitive user interface that is easily accessible for both customers and clients—a stretch goal that the group says took a lot of extra work.

“I completely learned a new technical skill in this program and an entirely new coding language in various softwares to help finish our project,” said quality assurance manager Clare Keeler. “If we were selling this product, we wouldn’t want customers to just see a block of code. A big part of my efforts was just transferring some of the analog data we received from the sensor to a digital output value that everybody can understand.”

With the highly anticipated Engineering Expo event right around the corner, the group is working hard to make sure they have the data and their working sensor ready for everyone to see. But they will also have a surprise.

“Of course, we’re going to showcase our sensor. We’ll have visual representations of our research,” said project manager Chloe Knape. “But we’ll also have an electrotherapy device available so that attendees can have fun and try it for themselves.”

This year’s Engineering Expo is on Friday, April 25 at the CU Boulder Indoor Practice Facility from 2-5 p.m. Make sure to drop by and check out all the exciting projects in action!

A group of seniors in the Biomedical Engineering program (BME) are designing their own sensor that can monitor skin conductance during electrotherapy. The sensor was developed during the group's senior capstone design course, and will be showcased at this year's Engineering Expo on Friday, April 25.

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From left to right: Chloe Knape, Anna Mellizo Kroll, Clare Keeler and Rachel Haug

BME seniors design next-generation surgical tool

Alexander James Servantez — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 19:03:24 +0000

BME seniors design next-generation surgical tool Alexander Jame… Fri, 04/11/2025 - 13:03

Alexander Servantez

Surgeons across the country are asked everyday to perform surgical operations with precision and care. But they need the right tools in order for them to be successful.

A group of seniors in the Biomedical Engineering program (BME) at CU Boulder are working to provide those tools by designing a next-generation Argon Beam Coagulator during their senior capstone design course.

Team 6's next-generation Argon Beam Coagulator being demonstrated using a banana.

The project, sponsored by CONMED, funnels ionized argon gas into a pencil-shaped handheld device that surgeons can use during various procedures. The argon gas, ionized by a high-voltage electrode, produces a plasma beam emitting from the tip of the handheld device allowing surgeons to cut tissue and minimize bleeding at the same time.

“When you suspend a beam of argon and ionize it in a plasma, you can reduce the risk of charring or burning to the tissue,” said design engineer and quality assurance manager Creighton Tisdale. “Let’s take a complete knee joint replacement, for example. Clearing out all of the oxygen is pretty crucial and it ensures that there is no extra damage or major bleeding.”

Their iteration of the device aims to expand functionality by offering surgeons a more customizable and adaptive approach. Instead of developing an all-in-one system, the team was tasked with designing a modular device, addressing key cost and practicality issues.

“The premise of our work is offering versatility,” said project manager Devon Mckeon. “Our goal was to create a device that is accessible, so that operating rooms around the world only need to purchase the components that they need, and they can service only the modules that have failed instead of the entire system.”

But perhaps one of the most intriguing aspects of the project is the handheld device’s detachable grip extension. After consulting with real doctors early on in the design process, the group realized that some surgeons preferred the pencil grip while others preferred a more vertical grip-style attachment.

Instead of choosing one or the other, the group decided to implement both approaches to ensure all surgeons can have the comfortable, ergonomic support of their preference.

CONMED engineer and BME alum Mia Fox testing the argon beam module on an apple.

“You can use the device like you would a pencil. It’s like having a little lightsaber in your hand,” Mckeon said. “But for surgeons who are working from the side that need to keep their wrist straight to cut through the tissue, they can attach the vertical grip and have that capability.”

Coming to this realization was one key to the success of their project, but the team said it wasn’t always easy. Navigating the results of their human factors testing or the thoughts of real-world surgeons made it difficult to settle on specific design specifications.

“One of the surgeons looked at us during one of our meetings and told us ‘you can have 10 surgeons in a room and 11 different opinions,’” said Tisdale with a sneaky smile on his face. “It’s funny, but it’s true.”

Understanding how to work alongside physicians and provide health professionals with tangible solutions is one of the many lessons that the BME program provides students during their senior capstone experience. Whether it was solving device communication issues or making several long drives up to CONMED’s facility in the Denver Tech Center, the group learned a lot about how to manage the design process from beginning to end.

But their sights are no longer in the past. The team says they are excited to show the campus community what they’ve been working on at this year’s Engineering Expo event.

“We are definitely leaning into the showmanship aspect of our project, especially because it’s a really cool end result that we are all proud of,” Mckeon said. “Our biggest goal is to have expo attendees stop by our booth, put on a pair of gloves and try out the different ergonomic attachments. And then we’ll get to demonstrate the argon beam by cutting a steak.”

This year’s Engineering Expo is on Friday, April 25 at the CU Boulder Indoor Practice Facility from 2-5 p.m. Make sure to drop by and check out all the exciting projects in action!

A group of biomedical engineering seniors are designing a next-generation Argon Beam Coagulator during their senior capstone design course. The project, sponsored by CONMED, is a pencil-shaped handheld device that ionizes argon gas to produce a plasma beam that emits from the tip of the device, allowing surgeons to cut tissue and minimize bleeding at the same time.

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From left to right: Creighton Tisdale, Andrew Swanson, Elizabeth Root, Devon Mckeon and David Katilius

BME Students Gain Research Experience through DLA Program

Mallory Phillips — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 17:22:37 +0000

BME Students Gain Research Experience through DLA Program Mallory Phillips Tue, 03/04/2025 - 10:22

This academic year, numerous Biomedical Engineering (BME) undergraduates participated in the Discovery Learning Apprenticeship (DLA) Program conducting research in campus labs. Students, their projects and sponsoring labs follow. At the conclusion of the program this spring, students will share their findings during the DLA research symposium in April.

Two BME students are conducting research in the Mechanical Engineering lab of Wei Tan, BME faculty member. Kevin Leidig is working on Thin Coating for Metallic Vascular Stints while Meredith Overton is developing Design and Fabrication of Novel Vascular Grafts. Shreeya Roy and Mahi Kathait are working under Distinguished BME faculty member Rob Davis (Chemical & Biological Engineering) on Droplet Motion in Microschannels and Collsions of Liquid Coated Particles respectively. Under the mentorship of Alaa Ahmed, BME faculty, Matteo Coscia is wokring in Effort Landscapes in Motor Learning. Zoe Danilchick is working in Understanding Lithium-Ion Solid-State Batteries and Energy Justice Concepts under Michael Toney's Chemical & Biological Engineering lab. Karisma Win Ka Leung is working under Grace Burleson (MCEN) in Design & Engineering for Social Impact: Industry and Educational Trends. Ariana Morales Garcia is working on Biodegradable Polymers based on Glucose and Plant-based Materials under BME faculty Carson Bruns (MCEN,ATLAS). Meenakshi Skandarajan is working under Carson Bruns and Joshua Coffie (ATLAS) on Long-term Nti-photocarcinogenic Efficacy of Invisible Intradermal Ink in Murine. Mackenzie Weber is working under BME faculty, Torin Clark (AERO) in Transitions in Availabilty of Visual Cues on Human Spatial Orientation Perception. Julia Keefe is working under BME faculty Kayla Sprenger (CHEN) on Modeling TREM2 dynamics with OPA using long timescale molecular dynamics. Alena Tucker is working under Debanjan Mukherjee (MCEN) in Benchtop in vitro characterization of cerebral blood flow patterns.

CU DLA is open to all students in the College of Engineering and Applied Science and pairs undergraduate researchers with graduate student and faculty mentors on a variety of topics. CU DLA is just one of the research programs available to students in the College, other programs include the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) and FUTURE (Fundamentals of Undergraduate Research Program). Participating in research provides hands-on learning and has been found to improve analytical, critical thinking and communication skills. Students benefit from the mentoring and networking opportunities from joining a research team. And conducting research may inform students' long-term academic/career decisions.

These research programs are directed by Sharon Anderson. "Students who have taken part in these undergraduate research programs tell us that they feel the experience was extremely valuable. It is often mentioned that when they are applying for internships and/or full-time positions that the conversation around their research experience often dominates the conversation. Even if they are not applying for a position that has anything do with the research that they did," said Anderson. "Employers are interested in students who have experiences like these as they demonstrate that they have worked on teams, have communication and problem solving skills in their repertoire."

Application cycles for both the SPUR (Summer Program for Undergraduate Research) and DLA research programs are occuring this spring. The SPUR deadline is March 10. The DLA deadline is TBA.

BME students share their experiences in DLA

Zoe Danilchick -

I am involved with the DLA program, working in the Toney Group, investigating sodium-ion solid state batteries and the formation of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI), which is an irreversible process that forms a passivation layer on the electrode. For my DLA project, I construct and cycle cone cell batteries with sodium and silicon as the electrode materials. I analyze the resulting electrochemistry data to examine when the SEI forms and how it affects sodium-ion battery cycling performance.

The DLA program has been an incredible way to introduce undergraduate students, such as myself, to getting involved with research here at CU. My experience with DLA has allowed me to get involved in research in areas, such as electrochemistry, that I would not otherwise encounter in my coursework. It has been incredible to be involved with the Toney Group and learn about sodium ion batteries and other technologies.

Kevin Leidig -

In the Tan Lab, I am working to develop a reliable method to dissolve a metallic stent out of a tissue sample. This will allow us to take cross-sectional thin slices from explanted tissue samples that can be analyzed through histology to measure the success of the stent coatings.

The DLA program has helped me develop my technical skills through lab work which complements the theory I am learning in the classroom. I’d like to thank the program for helping fund my research and supporting us undergraduate researchers through the DLA student seminars.

Alena Tucker -

My research project involves an in vitro model of the Circle of Willis that includes a 3D-printed planar phantom model of the Circle connected to a series of tubing that together represent the complex vessel network that supplies blood to the brain. With this setup we aim to investigate blood rerouting and drug delivery processes that occur in the event of a stroke. 

This research has been an incredible learning experience for me so far, and I'm excited to present my research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research this semester.

The DLA program has been a great opportunity to surround myself with fellow undergraduate researchers and get the most out of my research experience.  

Shreeya Roy -

Our lab researches droplet motion in microchannels, exploring how factors like size and viscosity affect their movement. This work contributes to potential advancements in drug delivery and lab-on-chip technology through data analysis, imaging, and computational modeling.

Mahi Kathait -

My current research work in the Davis Group involves experimentally investigating collisions of liquid-coated particles. The DLA program has been a great introduction to undergraduate research and what that is like at CU. The subject of research is a lot less daunting after having the structured guidance provided by DLA.

Meredith Overton -

My research focuses on preparing a vascular graft with a novel bilayer structure, where each layer has specific material properties to achieve a mechanical or biological response seen in the layers of native blood vessels. 

Professionally, the research has helped me become more confident in my engineering abilities as I work independently on the project, while also reinforcing my collaborative skills as I work with the research team.

DLA creates a fantastic structure for introducing undergraduates to research, and for me, it was incredibly helpful in finding a project to work on. DLA helps bridge the intimidating gap between the mentors and the undergraduates.

Matteo Coscia -

I am working in Dr. Alaa Ahmed's lab where I am training an AI agent to control an arm to reach toward a target, with implications in rehabilitation of patients affected by injuries or neuromuscular disorders

Julia Keefe -

My project focus is on triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), a macrophage surface receptor that is a target for inhibiting immunosuppression in cancerous tumors. To study this, I am leveraging physics-based models, including molecular dynamics simulations and static protein-protein docking, to investigate the effects of cancer associated variants on the dynamics and structure of TREM2 along with endogenous direct ligands upregulated in cancer, Apolipoprotein E and Cyclophillin A. 

My research experience has provided me with the skills needed to become a successful scientist moving forward. In addition to the hard research skills, my experiences working in the Sprenger lab for the last year and a half have taught me the processes that being a graduate student involves from grant applications and conferences to papers and presentations. 

The DLA program has given me the opportunity to dive into my love of research. It has provided me with a supportive learning environment to develop and harness my research skills alongside mentors providing advice and support. While deepening my skills in planning and executing a personal research project, it has also given me the ability to improve my technical writing and presentation abilities. This program has shown me what entering a career in science is truly all about while providing me with the skills, experience, and mentors I need to succeed in the STEM field post-graduation. 

Mackenzie Weber -

My research focuses on the difference in spatial orientation perception between motions that are passively experienced versus actively controlled.

In January, I attended the NASA Human Research Project Investigators Workshop in Galveston, TX, and presented research findings from another project I have been involved in during my time in DLA (A picture from this conference is attached, as well as one of me if you'd rather use that one)

As for DLA as a whole, being in the program has helped me define my academic and professional goals more than any other single experience ever has.

This academic year, numerous Biomedical Engineering (BME) undergraduates participated in the Discovery Learning Apprenticeship (DLA) Program conducting research in campus labs. CU DLA is open to all students in the College of Engineering and Applied Science and pairs undergraduate researchers with graduate student and faculty mentors on a variety of topics. Participating in research provides hands-on learning and has been found to improve analytical, critical thinking and communication skills.

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Graduating undergraduate student Gabriella Erich receives the CEAS 2024 Outstanding Research Award

Alexander James Servantez — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 17:20:41 +0000

Graduating undergraduate student Gabriella Erich receives the CEAS 2024 Outstanding Research Award Alexander Jame… Mon, 12/16/2024 - 10:20

Alexander Servantez

Gabriella Erich, a biomedical engineering (BME) student graduating this fall, has been selected to receive the CU Boulder College of Engineering and Applied Science 2024 Outstanding Research Award.

This award is given to undergraduate students who demonstrate research excellence that is both interdisciplinary and impactful. Erich is the fourth BME student to win the award since the young program’s conception in 2018. But her journey to this award was a little different.

The unique, early journey

Gabriella Erich, a graduating BME student and winner of the CEAS 2024 Outstanding Research Award.

Growing up in both Boulder and Los Angeles, Erich had two passions: space and medicine.

“When I was a kid, I had a NASA astronaut suit in my room,” Erich said. “But I also loved my chemistry classes, my biology classes and I always wanted to be a doctor.”

As college inched closer, Erich was unsure what degree path to pursue. The decision was difficult but she eventually chose the Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Erich enjoyed aerospace engineering. But she quickly discovered that she wasn’t feeling passion and she needed a change. She had also been dealing with some bad news from back home: Two of her uncles had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurological disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

“Their diagnosis really sparked my passion again. I knew I wanted to switch over to biomedical engineering and assist in the research to help treat the disease and save lives in the future,” Erich said. “It was a tough transition, but it was incredibly worth it.”

Erich began taking BME courses during her fourth semester at CU Boulder. One of them was an introductory course with Professor Mark Borden, where she first carved out her niche in the world of biomedical research.

“I remember when Dr. Borden talked about the microbubbles that he and his students worked with in his lab,” she said. “I really had no clue what they were, but I realized his research was something I was interested in. When I saw his graduate students present it again in a different class, I decided it was something I was going to pursue.”

In the next year, Erich applied to the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) and was accepted into the Borden Research Lab.

“It was daunting at first,” Erich said. “I really wanted to make sure I impressed them. Once I got into the lab, I showed that I can ask questions and learn quickly. It became a pretty seamless transition after that.”

The award-winning research

Erich conducted multiple independent studies during her time in the Borden lab. Each of them analyzed endoskeletal droplets, exoskeletal droplets and their response to a phase transition phenomenon called acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV).

Erich (right) and another student collaborating in the Borden lab.

ADV occurs when liquid droplets are vaporized under ultrasound. This technique is often used to explore more precise imaging and drug delivery solutions. But endoskeletal droplets are more complex; they contain an internal solid hydrocarbon structure that allows researchers to control their stability and vaporizability.

Using ultrasound, Erich developed a testing setup using a research ultrasound transducer to study the endoskeletal droplets and their behavior under ADV. This novel research yielded results that mark the first formal characterization of endoskeletal droplets with this phenomenon.

With more analysis and improvement to the test setup, Erich believes this work can possibly help engineers and scientists discover a safer, more cost-effective method of drug delivery and treating brain-related diseases.

“There are cures for cancer like radiation and chemotherapy,” she said. “But there are problems with those. Ultrasound is noninvasive, so using these droplets could be a safer and cheaper way to deliver this type of care.”

In October, Erich was invited to present her findings at the Biomedical Engineering Society annual meeting. She is currently working on another independent study, this time analyzing the effects of ADV on exoskeletal droplets that have external solid structures. For this research, Erich is developing an electronic setup to alter more parameters using both a transmit and a receive transducer.

“It’s a similar principle as my past studies,” Erich said. “We want to see when this droplet vaporizes under ultrasound. But we want to alter a few more parameters such as pulse length, pulse repetition frequency, and mechanical index to see the effect of those on the droplets as well.”

The lasting impact

Erich during her time as an Engineering Ambassador, sharing her knowledge and love for research with prospective students and families.

Erich has proved her worth as a researcher and community member in other areas, too. This past summer, she worked at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) developing magnetic nanoparticles for use as contrast agents in a low-field magnetic resonance imaging system (MRI). She has also served as an Engineering Ambassador, sharing her path and passion for research with prospective students and families.

Most of all, Erich hopes her college journey will inspire future undergraduates to find their passion in research. Especially those who come from a unique path, just as she did.

“I come from a non-STEM family, and I started in aerospace. I never thought I would ever have this opportunity,” she said. “I’m grateful to have been a part of this program, and I am honored to be given this award.”

The achievement of the Outstanding Research Award will be recognized at the College of Engineering and Applied Science Graduation Ceremony on Dec. 19, 2024. Erich hopes to return to CU Boulder as a graduate student in fall 2025 or use her research knowledge to work in medical imaging.

Gabriella Erich, a graduating student in biomedical engineering has been selected to receive the CU Boulder College of Engineering and Applied Science 2024 Outstanding Research Award. Her novel research marks the first formal characterization of endoskeletal droplets under acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV).

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Biomedical engineering’s Career Symposium returns for its third year

Alexander James Servantez — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 20:10:17 +0000

Biomedical engineering’s Career Symposium returns for its third year Alexander Jame… Fri, 10/11/2024 - 14:10

Alexander Servantez

More than 160 CU Boulder students put on their best business attire on Monday for the third annual Biomedical Engineering Career Symposium. Their mission? Go toe-to-toe with the workforce.

The symposium, organized by the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) and run by students, provided an opportunity for students to connect and learn from various company representatives in the med-tech industry. It featured company information sessions, company tabling, product demonstrations, and one-on-one meetings with experienced industry professionals.

Fourteen companies and organizations, including CONMED, Medtronic and others, were in attendance to recruit some of Boulder’s finest aspiring biomedical engineers. In past years, students have received job and internship opportunities with the help of the symposium. At the very least, students walked away with valuable insight into the diverse career paths the industry has to offer.

This year’s iteration of the event looked a little different. Students were required to attend a ProReady workshop in order to register for the symposium. Designed by Engineering Career Services, the ProReady initiative supports student career development, and these workshops helped prepare students to speak to company representatives in a professional setting.

“Last year, we had companies telling us that students were struggling to interact with representatives,” said Vivian Shi, a third-year student and BMES Career Symposium Committee member. “This year, our biggest focus was changing that, and I think we did a good job."

A BME student chats with a company representative at the 2024 BME Career Symposium.

Many of the students in attendance echoed some of those same sentiments. BME senior Christian Moon, who has been to multiple career symposiums, saw first hand how the workshop and symposium has affected his comfortability and confidence.

“Being able to practice interviews is nice,” Moon said. “It can be awkward to talk to people and talk about yourself. But it’s good practice and useful when interacting with people who are actually in the industry.”

Putting together an event like this is no easy task. On top of their own individual coursework, the BMES Career Symposium Committee spent long, tireless nights bringing the ballroom to life for their fellow BME classmates.

Clare Keeler, BMES Career Symposium committee chair, recalled the extensive planning involved, including difficulties wrangling commitments from companies or finding the perfect room arrangement. However, seeing vibrant and life-changing relationships being built during the event made all their hard work worth it.

“Overall, it makes me very happy that I was able to provide this experience for other students. It was a really long process dating back to April. My goal was to expand the symposium, and it just feels amazing seeing it come to life,” Keeler said.

Some company representatives gave their praise for this year’s symposium, including CONMED representative and former CU Boulder alumna Mia Fox.

Fox co-founded the BME Career Symposium and was a part of the BME program’s first graduating class in 2023. She knows first hand just how difficult coordinating this event can be, and she was proud of the committee for building on the legacy her class started during her time on campus.

“The committee has done a good job taking feedback from both students and company representatives,” Fox said. “They ran with that and they did a really good job.

“This event is unique. It’s different. It’s run by students, for students. I hope everyone continues to see the importance in that going forward.”

More than 160 of CU Boulder's finest Biomedical Engineering students attended the third annual Career Symposium in search of post-college opportunities.

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Three male BME students talking to a male company representative at the 2024 BME Career Symposium.

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Three current BME students talking to a company representative at the 2024 BME Career Symposium.

BME Students Gain Engineering Experience Through SPUR Research Program

Radhika Patel — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 17:51:19 +0000

BME Students Gain Engineering Experience Through SPUR Research Program Radhika Patel Tue, 09/17/2024 - 11:51

This summer, several undergraduate students in the Biomedical Engineering program participated in the CU Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) conducting research in campus labs. The students, their projects, and their sponsoring labs can be found below.

Three students are conducting research in Dr. Wei Tan's lab, a BME faculty member. Bridget Antreasin is studying The Design and Fabrication of Novel Vascular Grafts; Anna Sallee studies the Thin coating of Metallic Vascular Stents; Meghan Stancliff is studying Modeling the Link Between Desing and Well-Being Outcomes of Campus Transport. Two students are conducting research in Dr. Wyatt Shield’s lab. Alisha Kumari studies Programming Active Particle Behavior by Depositing Precisely Shaped Metallic Surface Patches; Vivan Nguyen is studying the Design and Fabrication of Active Magnetic Particles with Unique Geometries. In Dr. Ortiz Peleg’s lab, undergraduate student Andrew Swanson studies Adaptations of Honeybees Swarm in Response to Environmental Perturbations. Sam Zanotti is studying Advanced Materials and Bioinspiration in Dr. Francois Barthelat’s lab. In Professor John Crimaldi and Dr. Aaron True’s lab, David Katilius studies the Fluid Dynamics of Olfaction. Madison Seckman is studying Graphene-Based Semipermeable Membrane Electrode (grME) Fabrication Parameters in Dr. John Pellegrino’s lab. In Dr. Sarah Calve’s lab, student Nathan Day studies Optogenetic Control of Tissue-Engineering Robotic Jellyfish Using Smooth Muscle. Student Cole Thomas is studying Droplet Motion through Microchannels in Dr. Robert Davis’s lab. In Dr. Michael Toney and Trisha Nickerson’s lab, student Matteo Campbell studies Alternative Sanitation Compost.

CU SPUR is open to all undergraduate students in the Engineering and Applied Sciences program. The program aims to engage students in research with college faculty and graduate students. CU SPUR is just one of the research programs available to students in the College, other programs include CU DLA and YOU’RE@CU. Participating in research allows students to gain hands-on learning and allows them to take what they have learned in the classroom and see how it is used in real-world applications. Students can benefit from networking opportunities and mentoring by joining a research team.

BME Students Share Their Experience

“In the Tan lab, my work focuses on the characterization of coaxial electrospun fibers as a vascular graft material. The goal of the project is to create a graft material that mimics the mechanical properties of the native blood vessels and acts as a scaffold to allow for tissue regeneration. This experience has allowed me to apply much of the knowledge gained from my coursework, and it has helped me gain insight into graduate school.” - Bridget Antreasin (pictured on the right)

“This summer I worked on quantifying thrombogenicity using human plasma. The procedure I am working on provides a facile, fast, high-throughput means to quantify the thrombogenicity of a vascular implant using the absorbance readings of separated plasma.” - Anna Sallee (pictured above on the left)

“Engagement with external sources, or stakeholders, outside of the design team (e.g. community members, field experts, people interacting with the product, etc.) is prevalent within engineering design, and my research aims to look into how designers interact with and represent these sources. Specifically, we’ve been looking into what conditions may make designers more or less likely to take stakeholders’ perspectives and the accuracy to which they represent stakeholder perspectives.

This opportunity has allowed me to meet some incredible people and mentors and has taught me so much about engineering design—a discipline of engineering I didn’t know existed until eight months ago. Doing design research has enabled me to seamlessly combine my interests in engineering, anthropology, psychology, and writing. Because of this research, I’ve been able to find a field of engineering that I’m extremely passionate about.” - Meghan Stancliff

“In this project I used two-photon lithography to print particles and metal deposition to deposit unique metallic surface patches on them. Our goal was to test the trajectory of particles in three systems: magnetics, catalysis, and electrokinetics. I really enjoyed working in the lab and learning how to utilize machines and software that I hadn't before.” - Alisha Kumari (pictured on the right)

“My project mainly focuses on the idea of magnetic microrobots. Spherical magnetic rollers have been well explored in the past, so we wanted to look at and design particles of unique and interesting geometries. Specifically, we wanted to study how these particles' behavior differs from spherical ones such as in their speed or in their trajectories. These differences could play a major role in how they can maneuver in biological systems.

SPUR has allowed me to have hands-on experience in a research lab as well as in clean-room fabrication. It has given me the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge, which has not only solidified those ideas, but has also allowed me to learn even more in these fields of study. I have grown to be a more confident student and a better learner. I have also been connected with other undergrads and graduate mentors in the lab that have given me valuable advice moving forward in my academic career.” - Vivian Nguyen (pictured left above)

"My research mostly consists of development of image processing algorithms in MATLAB to get meaningful information from our CT scans of honeybee swarms that we artificially create in our lab. I am also responsible for monitoring the X-ray machine while we gather data for our experiments and a little bit of beekeeping in our outdoor apiary. Getting a bit outside of the realm of biomedical engineering while still applying techniques I’ve learned in classes has been really interesting and fun! I attached a couple images of me taken over the summer.” - Andrew Swanson

“They look to combine theoretical mechanics, numerical modeling, optimization, experimental mechanics, 3D printing, and also a bit of biology. This led them to replicate the mechanics of fish fins through a simple laser-cut model. They hired me as a biomedical engineering student to explore how this can be applied in the medical field, specifically catheters. My job was to replicate the steerable tip of a catheter with our "fish fin" morphing material.” - Sam Zanotti

"Essentially, I was contracted to design a wind tunnel that would allow a couple hundred bees to be blown by wind speeds that are typically seen in nature. These bees would be forced into the standing position rather than flying so that researchers could understand more about their antenna (the part that smells) and how they respond to wind and odors within the wind.” - David Katilius

“PhD. students Caleb Song and Tom Disorbo mentored me on their project, from which I derived my summer project: Graphene Based Semipermeable Membrane Electrode (grME) Fabrication Parameters. GrMEs are composed of a thin polymer layer and an anisotropically conductive layer of graphene sheets. They are 25-mm in diameter, and it can take anywhere from 2-3 days to make one membrane. Eventually, the lab would like to put grMEs in a fuel cell that will be used to power prosthetics with blood flow, therefore removing the need for lithium-ion batteries."- Madison Seckman

“The overall goal of this research project is to deform a thin layer of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using primary human smooth muscle cells from the bladder. This will eventually be used to create a jellyfish-like construct that we can use to model biological pumps to study biotransport mechanisms and systems. A similar project to this was done by researchers in 2013 using rat cardiomyocytes and an electric field in lieu of pacemaker cells. We aim to create a similar construct using smooth muscle cells instead. Smooth muscle differs from cardiac muscle in the way it contracts and responds to stimuli.

Unlike the rapid, rhythmic contractions of cardiac muscle (often regulated by the pacemaker cells), smooth muscles exhibit slow, sustained contractions over a longer period of maintained tension. As we iterate, we will see how the different properties of smooth muscles will affect the design and function of our bioinspired construct. The objective is to create a swimming construct similar to a juvenile jellyfish using smooth muscle cells and work our way up to more complex biological models. Overall, this project can provide us with valuable information about physiological processes involving smooth muscle-driven transport including vasoconstriction, lymphatic circulation, peristalsis, and micturition. Furthermore, it will contribute to advances in biohybrid and bioinspired robotics.” - Nathan Day

“In this lab we studied the deformation of 8% Glycerol and PDMS droplets as they pass through various constrictions in a straight channel. The SPUR program was a great opportunity for me to decide whether or not to pursue research as a career.” - Cole Thomas

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BME receives ABET accreditation

Lisa Romero De Mendoza — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 14:38:40 +0000

BME receives ABET accreditation Lisa Romero De… Mon, 09/09/2024 - 08:38

The University of Colorado Boulder's Biomedical Engineering Bachelor of Science program is now accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The accreditation is retroactive to the first year of graduates (2023) and is based on the commission's General Criteria and Program Criteria for Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering Programs.

ABET is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that accredits programs in engineering, computing, applied and natural science, and engineering technology. ABET accreditation assures confidence that a collegiate program has met standards essential to prepare graduates to enter critical STEM fields in the global workforce. Graduates from an ABET-accredited program have a solid educational foundation and can lead the way in innovation, emerging technologies, and in anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public.

The ABET accreditation review process is an intensive team effort, and the process yields data and insights; that can be use it to deliver the best educational experience for students. More than 2,000 professionals from academia, industry and government carry out every aspect of ABET accreditation. They know their profession’s dynamic and emerging workforce needs and review academic programs to ensure they provide the technical and professional skills graduates need to succeed.
ABET accreditation tells your prospective students, peers and the professions you serve that your program:
Has received international recognition of its quality.
Promotes “best practices” in education.
Directly involves faculty and staff in self-assessment and continuous quality improvement processes.
Is based on “learning outcomes,” rather than “teaching inputs.”
Can more easily determine the acceptability of transfer credits.

The Biomedical Engineering Program wishes to thank the many people involved with this process, which include current faculty, staff and students; alumni; and the BME Industry Advisory Board. Special thanks go to BME faculty members, Drs. Jessica McLoughlin and Mark Borden for leading this effort and Vanessa Dunn, Director of Analytics, Assessment and Accreditation for the College of Engineering and Applied Science. We are grateful to all these folks for their contributions and time.

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Celebrating the Bright Futures of the Biomedical Graduates

Anonymous — Thu, 16 May 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Celebrating the Bright Futures of the Biomedical Graduates Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 05/16/2024 - 00:00

Thursday, May 9, 2024 marked a momentous occasion, a culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and an unyielding quest for knowledge. It was a celebration of a graduating class, a cohort of bright minds ready to make a significant impact on the world of biomedical science.

The journey to this point has been anything but easy. With this class being only the second graduating class, the number of graduates has significantly expanded over the last year. Last year, the department had 15 graduates (14 Bachelors and 1 Masters), and this year, that number jumped to 73 graduates (3PhD, 10 Masters, and 60 Bachelors). From the foundational principles of biology to cutting-edge advancement in biotechnology and biomedical engineering, these students have demonstrated exceptional resilience and intellectual curiosity.

Throughout their time at CU Boulder, these students have been supported by an outstanding faculty, whose commitment to excellence in teaching and research has provided a strong foundation for their academic and professional growth. The collaborative environment fostered within the Biomedical Engineering Department has allowed students to engage in meaningful research projects, many of which have the potential to revolutionize healthcare.

Antoinette Gawin, President and CEO of the Terumo Corporation, was this year's keynote speaker. Ms. Gawin's remarkable journey and leadership in the medical technology industry served as an inspiration to all of the graduates. Her insights and experiences will undoubtedly provide invaluable guidance as the graduates embark on their own professional paths.

As the graduates step into the next chapter of their lives, they carry with them the spirit of innovation and a deep sense of purpose. The field of biomedical science is ever-evolving, and our graduates are well-equipped to tackle the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Whether they pursue careers in research, clinical practice, industry, or further education, their contributions will undoubtedly shape the future of medicine and healthcare.

To the Class of 2024, we say congratulations! May your careers be filled with success, discovery, and fulfillment. The University of Colorado, Boulder is immensely proud of your achievement and eagerly anticipates the remarkable contributions you will make to the world! Congratulations, Biomedical Graduates of 2024, and a special thank you to Antoinette Gawin for joining us on this special day and inspiring the next generation of biomedical professionals!

To view and download the pictures from the Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremony, please visit this link.

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Senior Design Expo 2024

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 22:32:59 +0000

Senior Design Expo 2024 Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/30/2024 - 16:32

Team Hydration - BME Senior Design Award Winner. Members include: Sam Slatcher, Jake McIntyre, Paige Casey, Keri Spitler, Ellie Goldman and Josh Jenkins

This year, 13 Biomedical Engineering (BME) Program senior design teams joined the College of Engineering & Applied Science Senior Expo to showcase their projects, a culmination of work that spanned two semesters. Some of the industry sponsors for this year included: Terumo BCT, Denver Life Sciences, Medtronic, Tolmar and Cardiost.

The Biomedical Engineering Program’s senior design course gives students the opportunity to apply the engineering knowledge they have gained at CU Boulder to a real-world, open-ended design challenge. Industry sponsors propose a project that emulates the sort of challenges and problems students will encounter in an entry-level engineering position. Each project is then matched with a student team.

During the year-long experience, each student assumes a leadership role and contributes to the technical aspects of the project. Teams meet with their industry sponsor to ensure appropriate progress is made on the project and present their proof-of-concept prototype in the spring.

All of the teams did a terrific job with their projects and presentations highlighting their knowledge and skills! Congratulations to all of them!

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Congratulations to our 2024 BME Program graduating student award winners!

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 03:21:32 +0000

Congratulations to our 2024 BME Program graduating student award winners! Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 04/17/2024 - 21:21

Several students from the Biomedical Engineering Program have earned 2024 Graduating Student Awards from the College of Engineering and Applied Science and from the program.

These honors are awarded to students who are nominated by faculty, staff or fellow students for their outstanding contributions and achievements to the program, the college and the community.

Several students from the Biomedical Engineering Program have earned 2024 Graduating Student Awards from the College of Engineering and Applied Science and from the program.

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