Human Health
Science and engineering advancements can drastically improve people’s quality of life—from new imaging techniques for earlier, better diagnostics, to tissue engineering for previously impossible interventions, to devices for the long-term control of chronic conditions.
We’re at the forefront of engineering for human health, from leveraging big data for more personalized cancer treatments, to restoring the sense of touch to amputees, to rewiring the brain to restore movement, to plant viruses repurposed as drug-delivery systems.
Centers and institutes that conduct research in Human Health
Faculty who conduct research in Human Health

Ozan Akkus
Creates biologically active and mechanically functional tissue repair systems, and develops chemical imaging instrumentation for noninvasive biomedical and hazard diagnostics

Musa Audu
Investigates musculoskeletal computer modeling and its applications to human locomotion

Harihara Baskaran
Understands and solves problems in biology and medicine using transport principles

Niloy Bhadra
Researches nerve blocks, including the SINE electrode, high capacity electrode and high-frequency blocks

Jeff Capadona
Engineers biomaterials-based strategies to improve the performance and longevity of central nervous system implanted devices

M. Cenk Cavusoglu
Develops next-generation medical robotic systems for surgery and image-guided interventions

Vira Chankong
Develops rapid learning and optimization methods for intensity modulated radiation therapy, and develops new paradigm for combinatorial optimization

Colin Drummond
Fosters the application of informatics to improve clinical decision-making for patient care

Dominique Durand
Analyses neural systems and designs devices to interface with the nervous system to provide therapies for neurological disorders

Christine Duval
Develops advanced materials to enable radiochemical separations for nuclear forensics and human health

Steven Eppell
Designs, synthesizes and tests orthopedic biomaterials using biomimetic strategies emphasizing nanoscale structures and self-assembly

Michael Fu
Develops video games and virtual environments to improve human health after neurological injury

Miklos Gratzl
Researches biomedical sensors and diagnostics, and focuses on translation to clinical applications

Umut Gurkan
Improves human health via research in cell mechanics to develop biosensors and point-of-care systems

Evren Gurkan Cavusoglu
Develops dynamical models of biological systems to help improve treatment of complex diseases

Kenneth Gustafson
Develops medical devices to restore human functions

Farhad Kaffashi
Variability analysis of multi-modal physiological time series data collected in clinical settings

Mohammad Kassemi
Researches microgravity fluid physics and combustion research, including ZBOT, cryogenic fluid management, propellant tank models and gravity’s impact on systems

Mehmet Koyuturk
Develops algorithms for transforming "big" biological data into systems biology knowledge

John Lewandowski
Researches material reliability for biomedical and structural applications, advanced materials manufacturing and processing/microstructure/property relationships. Hybrid Autonomous Manufacturing.

Jing Li
Develops computational approaches and software tools for genomics, bioinformatics and systems biology, and creates computational solutions for big data analytics

Kenneth Loparo
Develop real-time data analytics and control algorithms for industrial, energy and physiological systems

Zheng-Rong Lu
Investigates novel MRI contrast agents, molecular imaging, drug delivery and therapeutics for retinal diseases

Anant Madabhushi
Develops and translates computational imaging, AI and machine learning approaches for precision-medicine diagnosis, prognosis, treatment response and prediction

Heidi Martin
Develops diamond electrodes for electrochemical and neural device applications

Cameron McIntyre
Engineers the next generation of neuromodulation technology

Hunter Peckham
Develops and clinically deploys implantable electronic stimulators to restore movement for patients with paralysis

Andy Podgurski
Develops techniques to assess and improve the reliability and securty of software systems and applications

Clare Rimnac
Advances the long-term performance of implants and structural bone allografts through material analysis and characterization

Valentin Rodionov
Investigates catalysis with soft materials: catalytic surfactants and polymers; complex macromolecular architectures for bio-inspired catalysis; and ligand-mediated nanocatalysis

Andrew Rollins
Develops biomedical optics technology for applications in biomedical research and health care improvement

Sam Senyo
Applies tissue engineering to study human biology and improve human health

Pallavi Tiwari
Develops neuroinformatics techniques for applications in brain tumors and neurological disorders

Ronald Triolo
Creates and evaluates assistive and restorative technologies to improve health and mobility of individuals with paralysis and limb loss

Dustin Tyler
Creates advanced prosthetic systems and neurological interfaces to restore and enhance sensation and function in people

Satish Viswanath
develops novel medical image analysis and machine learning tools for targeting and evaluating interventions

Tina Vrabec
Develops novel waveforms and electrodes for downregulation of the nervous system for clinical applications including peripheral, autonomic and pain

Xinning Wang
Develops cancer therapies and molecular image probes for cancer diagnosis

David Wilson
Creates image analysis and image analytics for important clinical and biomedical applications