Undergraduate Students

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 ��Ƶ'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 ��Ƶ, 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, ��Ƶ 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 ��Ƶ 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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CU ��Ƶ leads the charge toward gender parity in engineering

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 15:41:50 +0000

CU ��Ƶ leads the charge toward gender parity in engineering Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 04/11/2024 - 09:41

CU ��Ƶ's journey towards gender parity in engineering is a clear signal that diversity in STEM is achievable. In just two decades, CEAS has transformed its engineering landscape, growing its female undergraduate class from 18% in 2003 to 30% in 2023.

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BME Students Gain Engineering Experience through the DLA Program

Anonymous — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 21:45:35 +0000

BME Students Gain Engineering Experience through the DLA Program Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 03/04/2024 - 14:45

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

Three BME students are conducting research in the lab of Wyatt Shields, BME faculty member. Celeste Busch is studying the Effect of Nanoparticle Formulation on Macrophage Epigenetics; Gavin Channell studies Acoustically Purified Elastomeric Particles for Cell-based Cancer Immunotherapy; and Chris Orear is studying the Ionic Liquid-mediated Transdermal Drug Delivery for Skin Disease. Iris Li is Evaluating Neural Influences of Virtual Reality Training with Allie Anderson, BME faculty. Julian Conrad Oppenheimer studies Novel Soil pH Sensors for Monitoring Soil Nitrogen Cycle in the Mechanical Engineering lab of Gregory Whiting. Isabelle Racine studies Statistical Modeling of River Ice in Alaska in Mike Gooseff's Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering lab. Student Keri Spitler in the lab of Corey Neu is Characterizing mechanical stability through restoration of nuclear architecture.

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 YOU’RE@CU (Your Own Undergraduate Research Experience at CU). 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 part of the College's Active Learning Program, 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 17. The DLA deadline is May 15th.

BME students share about their experiences

I work with Dr. Ellyse Schneider, in Dr. Corey Neu's Soft Tissue Bioengineering Lab, to better understand how external mechanical forces affect genomic architecture and gene expression. This includes building a unique sgRNA library and utilizing the CRISPR-Cas9 system that was developed in the Neu lab.

This research has provided me with a unique opportunity to put into practice the knowledge I've acquired throughout my college journey, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Additionally, research has offered me invaluable experiences collaborating with peers that isn't possible within the traditional classroom. As this DLA program has allowed me to continue this research, it has given me invaluable practice presenting my research both written and verbally. Keri Spitler

My research in the Shields lab centers around delivering an anti-inflammatory drug transdermally to treat atopic dermatitis. To do this, we use hydrogels that contain drug and ionic liquids, which have been shown to disrupt the stratum corner and should allow the drug to penetrate further into the skin. The DLA program has been instrumental in funding and supporting my research this year, and I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity they’ve given me to further pursue my interest in drug delivery.

Photo is of Chris Orear presenting his research at the 2022 ACS Colloids Symposium.

My work in the Shields lab is all about characterizing mechanical properties of polymers, and their ability to serve as biocompatible drug release mechanisms. My DLA experience has really interested me in graduate school.

The picture of Gavin Channell is in the clean room in the Colorado Shared Instrumentation in Nanofabrication and Characterization (COSINC) research facility.

My project in the Shields lab is on understanding and controlling how macrophage phenotypes are impacted by physical stimuli. I differentiate stem cells collected from bone marrow into macrophages, then associate them with particles I've made of different sizes, shapes, and materials, then study how they impact the cells’ phenotype, as well as their circulation in the body (of mice). The goal of the research is to make drug delivery to cancer more efficient to help eliminate the negative side effects of treatments like chemotherapy.

DLA has not only provided me with a way to practically apply information I learn in classes like biomaterials and biotransport, but I've gained many new connections in both academia and industry through the program and my lab that have led to several professional and grad school opportunities. Celeste Busch

At CU's Bioastronautics Labs under the mentorship of Allie Anderson, I work in a team to help fill in the gap of knowledge about tools to counter neural decrements for astronauts who undergo long duration exploration missions by quantifying the brain activity of subjects with fNIRS and EEG while completing tasks in VR. So far, I've spearheaded our rapid prototyping of testing equipment and part of our Excel and MATLAB data analysis pipeline.

Being in the DLA program has taught me instrumental skills for my career, from applying competitively to a research lab to keeping me accountable and thinking critically about my research, and this has connected me to a wonderful lab team! Iris Li

In the Gooseff lab, I am currently researching how to build a model to accurately measure the thickness of river ice in Alaska. This research can help showcase the evolving climate change in the world along with displaying the significant necessity that river ice poses for people in Alaska.

The DLA program has helped me to grow my technical skills while actively participating in a research lab. This opportunity has led me to explore more avenues within research that I never knew about. Isabelle Racine

The BME Program encourages its students to participate in a range of experiential learning opportunities, including research, during their tenure with CU.

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��Ƶ County Medical Society Spring Event Showcased BME Projects

Anonymous — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 22:11:14 +0000

��Ƶ County Medical Society Spring Event Showcased BME Projects Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 02/27/2024 - 15:11

In conjunction with the CU ��Ƶ Computer Science Department, the ��Ƶ County Medical Society hosted a spring event on campus focused on AI (Artificial Intelligence) in Medicine. The event included three faculty talks with discussion. Several student teams shared their relevant capstone projects with attendees. The Biomedical Engineering Program showcased three of our senior design projects. The video shows a few highlights of the event.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h9wPSfjhcM]

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Not All Classrooms Have Four Walls - BME Student Shares What's Possible

Anonymous — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 15:55:17 +0000

Not All Classrooms Have Four Walls - BME Student Shares What's Possible Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 02/19/2024 - 08:55

The Engineers Abroad Program allows you to satiate your international curiosity while advancing your education and making your engineering degree stand out. The program is comprised of several programs varying in length. The BME program has several recommended semester-long programs; however, students have many options when selecting summer programs. For the semester-long program, it is recommended that students travel in their junior year during the spring semester. The key thing for studying abroad is to plan early - doing so can help ensure that students stay on track and graduate within four years. To get started, please meet with your academic advisor. The deadline for summer and fall 2024 is March 1st.

Maddie Bender is a senior Biomedical Engineering (BME) student graduating in Spring 2024. In addition to minoring in Electrical Engineering, she is also planning on pursuing a Masters degree through BME's Bachelor's-Accelerated Master's (BAM) Program. We asked Maddie to share her study abroad experience.

Tell us about your Engineers Abroad experience. Where did you go?

I studied abroad in Madrid, Spain my Spring semester of my junior year. I lived in a 10-person apartment in the heart of Madrid and had my own bedroom. I studied at a school called Carlos III University which was a 30-minute train ride from downtown Madrid.

What did you study? Why were you interested in this country/program?

While I was abroad, I took one engineering course and three Spanish culture courses. Since many of the BME-specific classes are semester-specific, I needed to take an equivalent course to "Bioinstrumentation" while abroad so I could graduate on time. I found a class called "The Introduction to the Design of Medical Instrumentation" at Carlos III which was later approved by CU ��Ƶ. I also wanted to go to Spain because I knew a small amount of Spanish and wanted to improve. Additionally, I knew I wanted to travel around Europe and Madrid has a very accessible airport that flies to almost every European country.

What influenced your decision to study abroad?

I've wanted to study abroad my whole life as my parents and friends said it was one of the best things they had done. My main goal was to travel around Europe since that is something I'd never done before.

Do you feel that your experience has enhanced your academic/career prospects?

While abroad, I had the opportunity to design, manufacture, and test an electrocardiograph machine. This project enhanced many engineering technical skills. I also learned certain topics that were not covered in CU ��Ƶ's Bioinstrumentation. For example, a large part of my class focused on signals and signal processing. This added knowledge has made my current classes more manageable, as I have already seen the information. In addition, I was able to learn from various Spanish professors who were currently working in biotechnology and research. I felt that I learned about the field of biomedical engineering outside of the US and understood how prominent it is in other countries as well.

Has studying abroad impacted your graduation timeline?

No, it did not. I am still able to finish my undergraduate degree in 4 years since I took an equivalent to Bioinstrumentation. I knew I wanted to go abroad, so I saved my free electives to be taken then.

Why do you think students should study abroad?

I think students should study abroad because it is an opportunity to live/travel abroad without the crazy prices. I highly recommend it as an engineer because it gives you a break from the tremendous course load at CU. Even though I was taking an engineering class in Madrid, we only had two tests and no homework, so I had more time to travel and explore Madrid.

What might you tell a student who is considering studying abroad? What should they be considering?

You should be planning from the moment you start school. Since the BME curriculum is rigorous, it is important to stay on track and save your free electives for when you study abroad.

What were some of the most memorable aspects of your time abroad? Anything else you’d like to share?

My favorite part was traveling. I went to 7 countries and visited a bunch of super cool cities. Some of the cities I went to were Lisbon, Florence, Barcelona, Mallorca, London, Amsterdam, Cinque Terre, Nice, Ibiza, and the Canary Islands. The food is also amazing and not nearly as expensive as it is in the US. I didn't know anybody studying in Madrid, so I would go on weekend trips with my friends in other countries which was super fun. Also, as a shopping fanatic, Madrid has some of the best shopping in the world; such good shopping that I had to buy another suitcase on my way home! Madrid also has amazing nightlife and there is always something to do.

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2nd Annual Biomedical Engineering Career Symposium is a Success

Anonymous — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 18:21:57 +0000

2nd Annual Biomedical Engineering Career Symposium is a Success Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 11/28/2023 - 11:21

As the Biomedical Engineering (BME) Program grows, so does the need to share career opportunities in the field. To help meet that need, the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) and the Biomedical Engineering Program partnered to host the 2^nd Annual Biomedical Engineering Career Symposium held in the Glenn Miller Ballroom in October.

The career symposium brought CU students together with local biomedical/biotechnology companies that included Medtronic, Tolmar, Terumo BCT, CONMED, Meddux, Stryker, Darwin Biosciences, BOA, KBI Biopharma and Tensentric. Company representatives met with students to share internship and career opportunities, as well as career advice.

The evening was introduced by BMES leaders, Jordan Roos and Ellie Goldman, followed by a presentation from Dean Keith Molenaar and BME Director Corey Neu. Students heard presentations from Medtronic, Terumo BCT and Tolmar, each sharing their company vision; their recent innovations in products and services; and the value of joining their company. "The Career Symposium allows direct student-industry engagement, and is a fantastic example of how the BME Program is working to help grow the Colorado biomedical technology ecosystem, " said Corey Neu.

Participating students had an opportunity to meet with company representatives. Some students were afforded one-on-one meetings with representatives that allowed more time for an in-depth conversation. The career symposium was well-received by students who indicated that they look forward to the next event and that they enjoyed the format of the symposium. One student said “I wish the whole thing was longer! It would have been nice to hear from more companies and have more time for tabling. Great event!"

The career symposium was important to me because I wanted to give students in the BME program an incredible opportunity to meet with company representatives in hopes of landing a job or internship. I love to see my classmates succeed and I hope that the career symposium opened doors for my peers in the biomedical engineering field. Ellie Goldman

This year, BMES in conjunction with the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences ProReady Initiative offered a workshop on career fair preparation. Presenters went over resume fundamentals like formatting and skills/experiences to highlight. They also discussed how best to prepare for the symposium that included company research, questions to ask employers and practicing their introduction. Students were even asked to practice their elevator pitch. There was a strong emphasis on using the career symposium for networking and how best to follow-up with the contacts made during the event. This added workshop had a positive impact, as one company representative remarked “Most students were very well prepared with resumes and background research on the company. Exactly as expected.”

This year’s career symposium brought together BMES leadership with last year’s leadership, when two former BME alumni now at local companies joined this year’s career symposium to represent their company. This full circle moment is exactly the sort of alumni engagement the BME program hopes to expand.

Plans are underway for next year’s Biomedical Engineering Career Symposium, where we hope to attract more companies to attend.

This event was important to me because it is the only BME-specific career fair on campus. Last year, I was able to make connections at the career symposium which turned into a summer internship. I wanted to return the favor by hosting the event this year. It is super important that CU BME students are provided professional development opportunities. Jordan Roos

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Senior design teams for biomedical engineering join Expo

Anonymous — Thu, 25 May 2023 18:10:37 +0000

Senior design teams for biomedical engineering join Expo Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 05/25/2023 - 12:10

Michael Lock Swingen

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Undergraduate Students

BME receives ABET accreditation

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Celebrating the Bright Futures of the Biomedical Graduates

Senior Design Expo 2024

Congratulations to our 2024 BME Program graduating student award winners!

CU ������Ƶ leads the charge toward gender parity in engineering

BME Students Gain Engineering Experience through the DLA Program

BME students share about their experiences

������Ƶ County Medical Society Spring Event Showcased BME Projects

Not All Classrooms Have Four Walls - BME Student Shares What's Possible

2nd Annual Biomedical Engineering Career Symposium is a Success

Senior design teams for biomedical engineering join Expo

CU ��Ƶ leads the charge toward gender parity in engineering

��Ƶ County Medical Society Spring Event Showcased BME Projects