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Biomedical Engineering Research
Biomedical engineering (BME) research at Dartmouth draws from multiple disciplines and supports discovery in fundamental applied science and engineering, as well as translational science, to address grand challenges in human health.
A diversity of concentrations is offered with strong synergies between the biological and chemical, electrical and computer, energy, materials, and mechanical, operations and systems engineering research areas. Graduate engineering students are expected to propose a plan of study that supports their interests, potentially including distinctive intellectual paths unconstrained by disciplinary boundaries and enriched by interdisciplinary synergies.
BME research, carried out at both Thayer School and the Williamson Translational Science Building at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, addresses key challenges in the following sub-areas supported by leading faculty in their fields.
Imaging & Physics
Research in imaging and physics focuses on developing medical technologies that help clinicians better detect, diagnose, stage, treat, and monitor patients with a variety of pathologies. There is particular emphasis on improving surgical procedures and creating new surgical tools to improve patient care as well as developing new cancer detection and treatment strategies. Dartmouth also encourages and facilitates efforts toward clinical translation of new imaging and therapy tools.
Research Subfields
Bioimpedance technologies
Medical physics
Medical robotics
Molecular imaging
Multi-modal imaging
Optical spectroscopy and imaging
Photodynamic therapy
Surgical guidance technologies
Therapy monitoring technologies
Researchers
Biomaterials & Biomechanics
Biomaterials and biomechanics research at Dartmouth is a collaborative, interdisciplinary effort that combines materials research, engineering design, and biomechanical assessment and modeling in an interactive teaching environment.
Research Subfields
Cell biomechanics
Magnetic resonance elastography
Nanoparticles for magnetic hyperthermia
Orthopedic implant design and analysis
Spinal fusion surgery and image guidance
Tissue engineering and biomimetics
Researchers
Devices & Diagnostics
Identifying the biomarkers for diseases and developing health-monitoring sensors have the potential to transform health care delivery from a centralized and curative model to a more patient-centric and preventive one, while real-time diagnostics and implantable bionic systems could offer cures involving sensing at the molecular scale. These multi-scale approaches can facilitate precision medicine and point-of-care diagnostics for a variety of global health initiatives.
Research Subfields
Health informatics
Implantable bionic systems
Micro- and nano-scale medical systems
Neural engineering
‘Omics biomarkers for diseases
Wearable integrated circuit sensor devices
Researchers
Molecular Engineering
Research in molecular engineering applies fundamental engineering principles utilizing protein evolution, molecular biology, and mathematical modeling. High performance biotherapeutics can be engineered by optimizing molecular recognition, signaling, or catalysis, and in the case of immunoglobulins, knowledge of how immune repertoires and responses impact health and disease drives the design of next generation antibody therapies, vaccines, and other biologics.
Research Subfields
Antibody protein analysis
Contraceptive discovery
Immunotherapeutics
Vaccine development
