Faculty

Aerospace engineers to study motion sickness in space

Radhika Patel — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 18:57:23 +0000

Aerospace engineers to study motion sickness in space Radhika Patel Mon, 04/07/2025 - 12:57

In a new experiment, aerospace engineers at the �鶹ӰԺ will work with astronauts to study how people experience motion sickness when they travel to space—with an eye toward reducing these sometimes debilitating symptoms. Torin Clark, BME Faculty at CU �鶹ӰԺ, explained that motion sickness in space is a common problem—athough not necessarily one that many early astronauts talked about.

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Borden, Rentschler inducted into the AIMBE College of Fellows

Alexander James Servantez — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 16:13:09 +0000

Borden, Rentschler inducted into the AIMBE College of Fellows Alexander Jame… Mon, 03/31/2025 - 10:13

Alexander Servantez

Two faculty members in the Biomedical Engineering Program (BME) at CU �鶹ӰԺ have etched their names amongst some of the most successful medical and biological engineers in the world.

Professors Mark Borden and Mark Rentschler have been inducted into the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) College of Fellows. The program is among the highest professional distinctions given to medical and biological engineers, representing the top 2% of these engineers around the world.

Professor Mark Borden (right) talking to a student in his lab.

“I am honored to be selected into the AIMBE College of Fellows,” said Borden, also a faculty member in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering. “It’s an exciting achievement and a great opportunity to promote the important research we do here at the university.”

AIMBE College of Fellows membership honors engineers who have made significant advancements in the field of medical and biological engineering. But it also recognizes engineers who have made outstanding contributions to the future of bioengineering education.

Borden has done both. His novel research focuses on developing microbubbles and nano droplets for use in ultrasound imaging.

These little particles are safe to inject into the body and can be used as contrast agents to indicate or predict diseases. They can also be used as a non-invasive technique for drug or oxygen delivery, targeting rare pediatric brain tumors and helping hypoxemic patients struggling to get oxygen through normal respiration.

“It’s quite an interdisciplinary field,” Borden said. “We have to pull knowledge from many different domains—acoustics, ultrasonics, biology. But the main core of our research is the development of new microbubbles and nano droplets. That’s what we are known for.”

Borden has also left his mark in the classroom. He played a key role in the creation of CU �鶹ӰԺ’s BME program, even serving as its inaugural director in 2018. He stayed in the position for five years, during which time the undergraduate program grew significantly and earned ABET accreditation.

Rentschler’s impact transcends both research and education, as well. In 2018, he helped launch Aspero Medical, a startup company that develops micro-textured balloon overtubes used to enable more efficient and less invasive surgical procedures in the small bowel region.

Professor Mark Rentschler showcasing current and upcoming Aspero Medical devices.

These devices have proven to be successful, receiving clearance from the Food and Drug Administration in 2023. Since then, Rentscher and his team have been working to expand on their vision, announcing the development of two new surgical products powerful enough to transform endoscopy procedures even further.

“The first product was an improvement to the tools currently available to physicians,” said Rentschler, who is also a faculty member in mechanical engineering. “The next generation of devices we’re introducing are poised to make significant contributions to physicians and completely shift how they can treat aggressive cancers and precancerous lesions within the gastrointestinal tract.”

Rentschler also helped kickstart a mechanical engineering graduate design program back in 2010. Under his guidance, the program led to dozens of patents on graduate students’ design projects—some of them later going on to be used on patients or implemented by companies across the nation.

AIMBE inductees are also expected to serve as advocates for research by engaging with legislators and promoting public policies that foster continued advancement in medical and biological engineering fields.

It’s a hallmark of the AIMBE College of Fellows program, and both Borden and Rentschler believe they have the experience and expertise to be strong advocates for the future.

“I think we bring some interesting perspectives to these conversations, considering we’ve been in the academic research arena as well as the industry side of things,” Rentschler said. “I am honored to receive this distinction, and I am excited for these new opportunities to make a strong impact going forward.”

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Mukherjee selected into class of 2025 RIO Faculty Fellows

Alexander James Servantez — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 22:20:46 +0000

Mukherjee selected into class of 2025 RIO Faculty Fellows Alexander Jame… Wed, 03/19/2025 - 16:20

Assistant Professor Debanjan Mukherjee has been named a member of the 2025 RIO Faculty Fellows. The program supports faculty in achieving their research and innovation goals and promotes collaboration through tailored training, experiential learning and leadership development opportunities.

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Diamond in the rough: Research could help better detect, target cancer cells

Alexander James Servantez — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 16:49:27 +0000

Diamond in the rough: Research could help better detect, target cancer cells Alexander Jame… Fri, 02/14/2025 - 09:49

Associate Professor Xiaoyun Ding and his team in the Biomedical Microfluidics Laboratory (BMMLab) stumbled across an interesting anomaly during a cell sensing project that used different forms of acoustic waves to measure cell mechanics. The group discovered a new wave mode never seen before that can unlock a new level of cell manipulation capabilities.

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CU Engineering announces inaugural Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fellows

Alexander James Servantez — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 16:43:19 +0000

CU Engineering announces inaugural Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fellows Alexander Jame… Fri, 02/14/2025 - 09:43

CU Engineering has named the inaugural recipients of its Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fellows program, which supports faculty, postdoctoral researchers and graduate students in bringing research to market. The fellows, selected for their work in fields like robotics, biomedical devices and advanced materials, receive funding, mentorship and entrepreneurial support to accelerate commercialization.

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Rentschler, Aspero Medical awarded $4.5M for endoscopy advancement

Alexander James Servantez — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 21:36:21 +0000

Rentschler, Aspero Medical awarded $4.5M for endoscopy advancement Alexander Jame… Tue, 02/11/2025 - 14:36

Six years ago, Professor Mark Rentschler helped launch startup company Aspero Medical to develop a medical device used during endoscopy procedures. Today, with the help of a $4.5 million grant through the Anschutz Acceleration Initiative, Rentschler and his team are bringing two new medical devices to the market that have the potential to transform surgeries in the gastrointestinal region even further.

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Laurel Hind honored with CAREER Award for advancing immune response research

Radhika Patel — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 21:00:45 +0000

Laurel Hind honored with CAREER Award for advancing immune response research Radhika Patel Mon, 02/10/2025 - 14:00

Laurel Hind is studying the signals that regulate the immune system and contribute to disease, supported by a major grant awarded to promising early-career faculty.

Hind, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the �鶹ӰԺ, has received a prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER Award. This highly competitive program supports faculty with potential to become leaders in research and education.

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Jerome Fox receives Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers

Alexander James Servantez — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 18:59:56 +0000

Jerome Fox receives Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers Alexander Jame… Mon, 02/03/2025 - 11:59

Associate Professor Jerome Fox has received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The award celebrates nearly 400 recipients for their exceptional contributions to advancing science and engineering, and is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government.

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Gopinath selected for National Quantum Virtual Laboratory project

Mallory Phillips — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 17:20:51 +0000

Gopinath selected for National Quantum Virtual Laboratory project Mallory Phillips Tue, 01/14/2025 - 10:20

Professor Juliet Gopinath (BME faculty) was selected to be part of a team that would help develop new secure quantum communications protocols and new types of distributed quantum sensors and computers through the NSF. Find her work in the first entry of the following article.

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Good luck, Dr. Novella Keeling

Lisa Romero De Mendoza — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 19:19:22 +0000

Good luck, Dr. Novella Keeling Lisa Romero De… Wed, 01/08/2025 - 12:19

At the end of the fall 2024 semester, Dr. Keeling transitioned to the CU Biochemistry department. Although this was a difficult decision for her, she noted her passion for chemistry. When an opening became available in the Biochemistry department, she couldn’t let it pass by. She will initially be teaching organic chemistry. While she may have moved to Biochemistry, she’ll still be working with the Biomedical Engineering Program, particularly with students enrolled in our PreMed track.

The Biomedical Engineering Program is grateful to Dr. Keeling for her excellent work in building the senior design courses (BMEN 4010 and BMEN 4020) and retooling the Introduction to Biomedical Engineering course (BMEN 2100). Her efforts in developing the senior design courses extend beyond the classroom, as she has built strong relationships within the biomedical engineering space. The BME senior design course has a strong industry presence, largely due to her efforts. This work dovetailed nicely with her leadership of the BME Industry Advisory Board. As the External Relations Director, she regularly met with industry representatives, engaging them with the BME board, senior design, and the BME Career Symposium.

The career symposium, initiated and run by the Biomedical Engineering Society, is yet another example of Dr. Keeling’s efforts to build the BME community and assist students with their ideas and efforts. As their co-advisor, she regularly met with the society, providing event feedback, industry contacts, and general support. Her boundless energy and enthusiasm will be missed. We wish her well in her new endeavors.

At the end of the fall 2024 semester, Teaching Assistant Professor Novella Keeling transitioned to the Biochemistry Department at CU �鶹ӰԺ. During her time in the Biomedical Engineering Program, Keeling helped develop a strong industry presence and retool course curriculums. The BME community will miss her boundless energy and enthusiasm.

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