Human Health

Advancements to improve and prolong people’s lives

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

isolated nerve cuff biomedical implant

Advanced Platform Technology Center

A Department of Veterans Affairs-run Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Research and Development, focusing on the practical medical needs of individuals disabled by sensorimotor dysfunction, cognitive deficits or limb loss. 

3-D rendering of human brain and spinal cord

Cleveland FES Center

Studies and applies neuroprostheses that use functional electrical stimulation to replace damaged neurons.

Faculty who conduct research in Human Health

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Ozan Akkus

Kent H. Smith Professor
Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Director, Center for Applied Raman Spectroscopy

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

Tissue Fabrication and Mechanobiology Lab

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Hoda Amani Hamedani

Research Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering

Develops multifunctional materials and flexible nanostructured platforms for electrochemical and biomedical devices, localized drug delivery, neural interfacing, and electrochemical sensing; studies nanomaterials evolution/interactions in controlled (liquid) environments using in-situ characterization techniques

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Musa Audu

Research Professor, Biomedical Engineering

Investigates musculoskeletal computer modeling and its applications to human locomotion

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Harihara Baskaran

Department Chair, Chemical Engineering
Professor, Chemical Engineering

Understands and solves problems in biology and medicine using transport principles

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Niloy Bhadra

Research Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering

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

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Alexis E. Block

Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical, Computer and Systems Engineering
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Changyong (Chase) Cao

Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Study the mechanics, designs, and manufacturing of smart multifunctional materials, soft robotics, soft electronics, and self-powered sensing systems.

Soft Machines & Electronics Lab

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Jeff Capadona

Associate Department Chair, Biomedical Engineering
Professor, Biomedical Engineering

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

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M. Cenk Cavusoglu

Nord Professor of Engineering
Professor, Department of Electrical, Computer and Systems Engineering
Director, Medical Robotics and Computer Integrated Surgery Laboratory

Develops next-generation medical robotic systems for surgery and image-guided interventions

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Vira Chankong

Associate Professor, Department of Electrical, Computer and Systems Engineering

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

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Zonghe Chua

Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical, Computer and Systems Engineering

I develop intelligent telerobotic systems that sense and reason about their operator to deliver smart multisensory feedback that enhances the human-robot system performance.

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Colin Drummond

Assistant Department Chair, Biomedical Engineering
Professor, Biomedical Engineering

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

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Dominique Durand

Distinguished Research Professor
Elmer Lincoln Lindseth Professor
Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Director, Neural Engineering Center

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

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Christine Duval

Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering

Develops separation materials and processes to benefit nuclear medicine, environmental protection, and nuclear waste recycling and remediation.

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Steven Eppell

Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering

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

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Stephen D. Fening, PhD

Associate Vice President for Research
Managing Director, Case-Coulter Translational Research Partnership
Professor, Biomedical Engineering
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Michael Fu

Timothy E. and Allison L. Schroeder Assistant Professorship in Computer and Data Sciences
Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical, Computer and Systems Engineering

Develops virtual environments and neural interfaces to improve human health after neurological injury

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Emily Graczyk

Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering

Development and clinical assessment of neural interfaces and stimulation approaches to restore and enhance somatosensory function

Lab website: https://www.graczyklab.com/

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Miklos Gratzl

Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering

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

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Umut Gurkan

Wilbert J. Austin Professor of Engineering
Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

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

Biomanufacturing and Microfabrication Lab

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Evren Gurkan Cavusoglu

Associate Professor, Department of Electrical, Computer and Systems Engineering

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

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Kenneth Gustafson

Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering

Develops medical devices to restore human functions

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Mohammad Kassemi

Research Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

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

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Mehmet Koyutürk

Andrew R. Jennings Professor of Computing Sciences
Professor, Computer and Data Sciences Department

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

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John Lewandowski

Arthur P. Armington Professor of Engineering II
Professor, Materials Science and Engineering
Director, Nitinol Commercialization Accelerator
Director, Advanced Manufacturing and Mechanical Reliability Center (AMMRC)

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

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Jing Li

Leonard Case Jr. Professor of Engineering
Professor, Computer and Data Sciences Department

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

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Kenneth Loparo

Arthur L. Parker Professor
Professor Emeritus, Department of Electrical, Computer and Systems Engineering
Co-Director, Internet of Things Collaborative (IOTC)

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

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Zheng-Rong Lu

M. Frank Rudy and Margaret Domiter Rudy Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Investigates novel MRI contrast agents, molecular imaging, drug delivery and therapeutics for retinal diseases

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Anant Madabhushi

Donnell Institute Professorship
Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Director, Center for Computational Imaging and Personalized Diagnostics

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

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Steve Majerus

Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical, Computer and Systems Engineering

Focusing on sensor medicine: using bio-sensors to refine treatment and restore lost function.

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Heidi Martin

Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering

Develops diamond electrodes for electrochemical and neural device applications

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Cameron McIntyre

School of Medicine campus
Professor, Biomedical Engineering

Engineers the next generation of neuromodulation technology

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Hunter Peckham

Distinguished University Professor
Donnell Institute Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Professor Emeritus, Biomedical Engineering

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

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Andy Podgurski

Professor, Computer and Data Sciences Department

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

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Clare Rimnac

Wilbert J. Austin Professor of Engineering
Professor Emeritus, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

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

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Valentin Rodionov

Assistant Professor, Macromolecular Science and Engineering

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

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Andrew Rollins

Professor, Biomedical Engineering

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

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Sam Senyo

Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering

Applies tissue engineering to study human biology and improve human health

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Pallavi Tiwari

Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering

Develops neuroinformatics techniques for applications in brain tumors and neurological disorders

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Ronald Triolo

School of Medicine campus
Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Executive Director, Advanced Platform Technology Center

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

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Dustin Tyler

Kent H. Smith Professor of Engineering II
Professor, Biomedical Engineering

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

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Satish Viswanath

School of Medicine campus
Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering

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

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Tina Vrabec

Research Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering

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

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Xinning Wang

Research Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering

Develops cancer therapies and molecular image probes for cancer diagnosis

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David Wilson

Robert J. Herbold Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Professor, Biomedical Engineering

I use image processing and machine/deep learning on biomedical images to advance health.