ENGINEERING2021 - FORMER STUDENT FEATURE pg. 9
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Department of Biomedical Engineering FORMER STUDENT FEATURE pg. 9 SENIOR INNOVATION pg. 14 BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2021
pg. 14 pg. 9
pg. 21 pg. 26
Table of Contents
4 Letter from the department head 16 Faculty & staff awards
5 Facts and figures 17 Faculty professional society fellows
6 Student scholarship & award winners 18 Student innovation through I-Corps
8 Research: COVID-19 detection 20 Student celebrates collaborative research
9 Lessons learned from former student 21 Research: OvCa-Chip
10 Summer Enrichment Experience 22 Staff Spotlight: Eileen Hoy
11 Research: $5M cancer grant 23 Outstanding Alumni: Cindy Haven
12 Student embraces research, academia 24 New biomedical design studio
13 Research: Regenerative medicine in the gut 26 Research: Late-stage cancer care
14 Senior design project highlights 27 Dr. Kathy Banks named university president
Cover: This anatomical-sized ear is an
example of how regenerative medicine
research in the department is engineering
functional human tissue that will drive
biomedical innovations, enabling
better understanding of diseases, drug
discovery and therapeutics.
BY THE NUMBERS
Letter from the
Department Head
RESEARCH
$11.2 MILLION
Greetings from Aggieland! I hope this finds each of you and you loved ones well. It has been
enlightening to prepare this annual update for the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M
University, as it has reinforced the fundamental commitment that our faculty, students and staff hav
to making an impact. Therefore, it is extremely rewarding to highlight exciting research developments, FUNDING (FY 2020 TOTAL)
celebrate the achievements of our faculty and students, and underscore the impact of their innovative
65 38
and translational efforts
As we move into the future, we will maintain a technical emphasis on our four primary research areas of patents disclosures file
Numbers from 2015-20 Numbers from 2015-20
imaging technologies, medical devices, regenerative medicine, and sensing and monitoring systems. Our
faculty is increasing connectivity to the Engineering Medicine program and the Center for Remote Health
Technologies and Systems. This includes adding complementary expertise in application areas of great
importance throughout the world: chronic diseases (cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes), trauma care
and pediatric devices. These efforts are already strongly supported with federally funded research centers ENROLLMENT (FALL 2020) FACULTY
and continue to grow with new major projects, many detailed in this report. These programs support
25 2 Lecturers
496 159
translational efforts to quickly move design concepts developed in our labs out into practice. It is a thrill to Tenure Track
work with faculty and students so committed to solving real-world problems.
Students are benefiting from the transformation of coursework to leverage new technology, upgraded
Undergraduates Graduates
5 Professors
of Practice 20 Affiliated
Faculty
1
facilities and additional resources for hands-on learning. Changes are capitalizing on the unique Professor of
backgrounds of faculty with extensive industry experience as well as integrating cutting-edge research into Instruction
new elective courses. As a result, our graduates are being trained to become impact-minded leaders who
will design engineering solutions to clinical problems and understand all aspects of the process necessary
to turn those into approved products. It is through this comprehensive training that we produce strong
biomedical engineers prepared to have a lasting influence
DEGREES AWARDED DIVERSITY
We are proud of the significant increases in research expenditures, publications, faculty awards,
(FALL 2019-SUMMER 2020) UNDERGRADUATE
scholarships, fellowships and research space that all signal excellent forward progress. These achievements
28 45% Female
are enabling further growth in people and programs that will provide even greater opportunities for impact.
Please visit our website or come visit us in person to see firsthand how our plans are coming together to M.S./M.Eng.
make a difference in the world
28% Minority
16 Ph.D.
GRADUATE
40%
149
Female
B.S.
Michael J. McShane, Ph.D. 13% Minority
Department Head and Professor
James J. Cain Professor II
4 engineering.tamu.edu/biomedical 5
Student Scholarship & Award Winners Departmental Scholarships
Artifink Capstone Team Jesse Fine Navaneeth K. R. Pandian Our students and faculty benefit greatly through program enhancements and scholarships that our former
Second place overall, 2020 Engineering Student Initiative Award, Department Distinguished Graduate Student students and friends make possible. We greatly appreciate your support.
Design Showcase, Texas A&M: Sarah of Biomedical Engineering Award, Association of Former Students
Jones, Hunter Lyon, Brandon Worth, Kendall Gibson Kassidy Porche
Gilberto Flores Reyes and Sarah Swift Linda & Joe Fowler ’68 Endowed Bill Blackwood Scholarship, Marina and Don Canal ’85 Dr. William Hyman Scholarship Fund
Alcon Capstone Team Scholarship, Department of Biomedical College of Engineering Scholarship* This scholarship was created in honor of Dr. William
Second place in the Department Engineering Daniel Prasca-Chamorro Hyman. It supports students who have industry
This scholarship was established by Marina and
of Biomedical Engineering, 2021 Graduate Research Fellowships internship/co-op experience.
Morrow Foundation Engineer Don Canal. It funds students who are both Texas
Engineering Design Showcase, Texas Program fellow, National Science
Scholarship, College of Engineering residents and military veterans.
A&M: Emily Rayer, Beril Ulugun, Audrey
Sanskruthi Guduri
Foundation Wanda and Jack E. McMahan ’43
Amanda Rakoski
Sheppard, J. Jesus Rodriguez Cruz,
Biomedical Engineering Havelka Peter Chaplinsky Scholarship
Annette Alanis and Esteban Ramirez Graduate Research Fellowships
Biocoupler Capstone Team
Award & Scholarship, Department of
Program fellow, National Science Memorial Scholarship This fund was established to honor the memory of
Biomedical Engineering
Third place overall, first place in the
Michael Guillen
Foundation This scholarship was established to honor the Jack and Wanda McMahan. It provides funding to
Department of Biomedical Engineering,
Ayse Yalcinkaya ’02 Memorial
Alexandra Ramos memory of Peter Chaplinsky. It provides funding to members of the Corps of Cadets.
2021 Engineering Design Showcase, Biomedical Engineering Havelka the top biomedical engineering junior.
Scholarship, Department of Biomedical
Texas A&M: Rupal Gupta, Raaghav
Engineering
Award & Scholarship, Department Roger J. McNichols ’98
Bageshwar, Kamran Darvesh,
Wahibah Hannan
of Biomedical Engineering Linda & Joe Fowler ’68 Memorial Scholarship
Alexander Bogdan and Ariel Alanis Flores
Roger J. McNichols ’98 Memorial Class of ’80 E. King Gill Selfless Service Endowed Scholarship This fund honors the memory of former student
Sara Abasi Scholarship, Department of Biomedical Award, Texas A&M LAUNCH program
Distinguished Dissertation Award, This scholarship was established by Linda and Joe Roger McNichols. It funds students with interest in
Engineering Ruby Ross
Texas A&M Fowler. This needs-based fund supports students entrepreneurship experience, translational work or
BrieAnn Harris Wanda and Jack E. McMahan ’43
Isabelle Agurcia who are U.S. citizens and participate in leadership/ taking additional classes to expand education.
Delano Women in Engineering Scholarship, Department of
Buck Weirus Spirit Award, Texas A&M extracurriculars.
Shreedevi Arun Kumar
Scholarship, College of Engineering Biomedical Engineering
Ayse Yalcinkaya ’02
Christopher Hung Amelia Soltes
Third place, Raymond’s Idea Challenge,
Linda & Joe Fowler ’68 Endowed Wanda and Jack E. McMahan ’43 Biomedical Engineering Havelka Memorial Scholarship
Texas A&M
Scholarship, Department of Biomedical Scholarship, Department of Award & Scholarship^ This fund honors the memory of former student
U.S. Senator Phil Gramm Doctoral Engineering Biomedical Engineering Ayse Yalcinkaya. It provides funding to junior female
This scholarship was formed by Jim ’86 and Jacque
Fellowship, Texas A&M Sarah Jones Hunter Syas students actively engaged in the Society of Women
Havelka ’87. It is awarded to the top senior in
Marco Bueso-Renteria Graduate Research Fellowships Program Freshman Dean’s Excellence Award,
Engineers with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
biomedical engineering.
Roger J. McNichols ’98 Memorial fellow, National Science Foundation Texas A&M
Scholarship, Department of Biomedical Anna Kersey Daaniya Syeda * Future Scholarships
Engineering Second place, 3-Minute Thesis Dr. William Hyman Scholarship Fund, ^ Non-endowed
Ana Chang-Gonzalez Competition, Texas A&M Department of Biomedical Engineering
Diversity Award, The Protein Society Xiao Ling Thomas Tigner
Lydia Colvin
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Activity
Dr. William Hyman Scholarship Fund,
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Graduate Research Fellowships
Program fellow, National Science 2021 Annual Research
Grant, SPIE
Isabella Couture
Brandon Look Fong
Roger J. McNichols ’98 Memorial
Foundation
Lauren Yamthe Symposium Winners
Ayse Yalcinkaya ’02 Memorial Scholarship, Department of Biomedical Linda & Joe Fowler ’68 Endowed
Scholarship, Department of Biomedical Engineering Scholarship, Department of
On behalf of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M University (BME@TAMU), the
Engineering Hamza Masood Biomedical Engineering Biomedical Engineering Graduate Student Association is pleased to announce this year's research
Claudia Daboin Linda & Joe Fowler ’68 Endowed symposium winners:
Morrow Foundation Engineer
Ayse Yalcinkaya ’02 Memorial Scholarship, Department of Biomedical
Scholarship, College of 1st Place Podium Presenter – Michaela Pfau 3rd Place Rapid-Fire Presenter – Annie
Scholarship, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Engineering
2nd Place Podium Presenter – Samuel Briggs Hedman & Jace Willis (Tie)
Engineering Sakina Mohammed Mota Lois Wampler
Kaivalya Deo Diversity Service Student Award,
Graduate Research Fellowships 3rd Place Podium Presenter – Amirali Selahi & Best First Year Graduate Presenter – Laura
Third place, Raymond’s Idea Challenge, Accountability, Climate
Program fellow, National Science Ping Dong (Tie) Rivera Tarazona
Texas A&M and Equity, Texas A&M
Foundation
1st Place Rapid-Fire Presenter – Cyril Soliman Best Undergraduate Presenter – Rithika
Heather Farris HEEP Graduate Fellowship, Hagler
Peter Chaplinsky Memorial
Adavikolanu
Institute for Advanced Study 2nd Place Rapid-Fire Presenter – Thomas
Scholarship, Department of
Tigner
Biomedical Engineering
6 engineering.tamu.edu/biomedical 7
Career Reflections,
Lessons Learned
Scott Salys ’96, is the divisional vice president of At this point, Salys knew he wanted to expand his
Heart Failure operations at Abbott, a medical device experience outside of R&D and have a broader
company. Heart Failure operations is a franchise overall business understanding, so he transferred
within Abbott’s medical device segment focused on within the company to St. Jude’s Neuromodulation
implantable and nonimplantable heart pumps as well Division where he rotated through several vice
as heart failure monitoring systems. Salys has more president roles.
than 20 years of industry experience and has expertise “Let them know what your interests are, and then
in research and development (R&D), operations, supply see if there is a business need that matches up with
chain, program management, process development, your aspirations or where you want to go,” Salys
marketing and customer engagement. said. “Some of it’s random timing and what the
However, that was not the original plan. business needs at a given point in time. Your skill
In high school, Salys was set to pursue geophysics, sets need to match the company needs.”
although he wasn’t set in which direction his career Throughout his career, Salys said he has faced
would go. However, in his senior year of high school, many challenges but was successful through
Tian shifts biosensor research to
he was hospitalized on and off for about a ear. persistence and staying focused on adding value.
“During that time, I was doing my own research “There were challenging times that I was working
focus on COVID-19 detection online, trying to understand my illness and the
physiology,” Salys said. “It was during this time I
18-hour days, working on weekends. But at the end,
when it’s all successful, it develops you and you feel
started to learn how the body works.” good about it. It’s rewarding at the end of it all. The
Dr. Limei Tian and her team are developing a novel way to “The human body is the most amazing machine challenging times are the most rewarding in my
diagnose COVID-19 through a mask using adapted biosensor and system you can work on,” he said. “That’s experience,” Salys said.
research designed for other disease diagnoses. how I got into this field and I’m glad I did. It’s been Salys also encouraged students to explore many
tremendously rewarding.” different career path options when they graduate,
When the COVID-19 pandemic began to inundate exhales, their breath can be captured. The sensor One major accomplishment toward his career path saying there are many entry points for engineers,
the United States in early 2020, many researchers then can be easily removed and placed in a hand- was a co-op he did with a pacemaker company including areas such as R&D, operations, regulatory
looked at how they could adapt their current work held reader for analysis. out of Houston. In addition to firmly establishing and field roles with direct
to help fight the pandemic. Dr. Limei Tian, assistant “In addition to COVID-19, the platform technology his passion for R&D, he said it was instrumental in physician interaction.
professor in the Department of Biomedical being developed in our lab can be readily adapted providing career options upon graduation. Having a “You’re not going to be
Engineering at Texas A&M University, and her team for rapidly detecting and monitoring other resume with directly relevant work experience and able to mastermind your
are developing a novel way to diagnose COVID-19 infectious respiratory diseases,” Tian said. tangible R&D achievements caught the interest of career trajectory. Some of
through a mask. recruiting companies and provided topics to discuss it just happens, so I never
The team is in the sensor development process.
“We are developing a reliable, noninvasive, point-of- Tian said one challenge has been improving in interviews. tried to over plan it,” Salys
care biosensor that can directly capture and detect the sensitivity of the biosensors to capture low After graduation, Salys went to work in said. “As you go through
SARS-CoV-2 for rapid detection and surveillance of concentration of biomarkers in the breath. R&D at Cyberonics, a company focused on your career, you should
COVID-19,” Tian said. neuromodulation for the treatment of epilepsy. have a general trajectory
Tian was recently recognized for her work in in mind and take on
One of Tian’s research focuses is in organic and biosensors by receiving the Trailblazer R21 Award Three years later, he was approached with the
inorganic hybrid materials for physical, chemical opportunity to move to California and join a larger opportunities that lead in
from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging that direction.”
and biological sensors and multifunctional surfaces and Bioengineering, part of the National Institutes company, St. Jude Medical, that focused on cardiac
and interfaces. As opportunities to research ways of Health. The award is an opportunity for new rhythm management and the design of pacemakers
to detect and fight COVID-19 started, Tian began and early-stage investigators to pursue research and defibrillators
to adapt biosensors designed for other disease programs that integrate engineering and the physical While there, he made his way through different
diagnoses to instead detect COVID-19. sciences with the life and behavioral sciences. R&D positions, starting as an individual contributor
Tian said the goal is to develop a biosensor patch in leads development to expanding his role to
that can be placed into a mask/scarf. As a person managing increasingly larger organizations.
8 engineering.tamu.edu/biomedical 9
Researcher Receives
$5M Cancer Grant
Dr. Tanmay Lele, Unocal Professor in the abnormalities are ubiquitous and occur in all kinds
department, received a multi-million dollar grant of cancers — breast, prostate and lung cancers.”
to support groundbreaking cancer research. Pathologists study biopsies and note abnormalities
Lele received a $5 million Recruitment of in the shape of the cell and its nucleus to grade
Established Investigators grant from the the severity of cancer. To research the cause of
Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of abnormal cancer nuclear structures, Lele and his
Texas (CPRIT) to further knowledge about cancer team are working to computerize the analysis of
and how it progresses. nuclear shapes.
Lele’s research focuses on mechanobiology — the Lele’s research aims to help the medical community
mechanical aspects of biology — where he works develop new knowledge of human cancers and
Summer enrichment experiences to understand how cells sense external mechanical
forces as well as how they generate mechanical
how they progress to better diagnose and manage
cancers. Understanding the mechanisms behind the
give students face time with industry forces, and how these mechanical forces impact
cell function.
abnormalities can help develop therapies to better
treat cancers by targeting the nucleus.
In cancer, both cellular mechanical forces “Like any other basic field, we are trying to make
and the mechanical properties of resisting discoveries with the hope that they will have long-
The Summer Enrichment Experience (SEE), hosted The SEE program lined up with a College of cellular structures go awry. This in turn causes term impacts on human health,” Lele said.
annually by the department, celebrated its sixth Engineering initiative called ENGRx, which requires abnormalities in cell structure. A particularly striking Lele has two laboratories, one in College Station
anniversary in 2021. all students to have external experiences such as feature of cancer cells is the highly irregular and/or and one in the Texas A&M Health Science Center’s
research, leadership or industry experience. distended shape of the nucleus. Institute of Biosciences and Technology in Houston.
The SEE program launched in 2015 as a way to
provide students additional opportunities for When it first started, opportunities focused on “The nuclei in normal tissue have smooth surfaces, The cancer grant from CPRIT is a collaborative
interactions with industry to assist with career contacts in the Houston and College Station areas. but over time the surfaces of cancer nuclei become effort with Dr. Michael Mancini and Dr. Fabio Stossi
exploration and networking. Jacqueline Havelka However, that soon expanded throughout Texas irregular in shape,” Lele said. “Now, why? Nobody from the Baylor College of Medicine. Lele said he is
’87, a member of the Biomedical Engineering in person and the entire nation virtually. Some really knows. We’re still at the tip of the iceberg looking forward to collaborating with researchers in
Advisory Board, started the program. Maria examples of partnering companies include Quest at trying to figure this problem out. But nuclear both College Station and Houston.
Lyons, program manager for corporate relations Medical, Abbott, the Mann Eye Institute, NASA, Lele received his doctoral
and former student outreach in the department, Medtronic, BD and Cook Medical. degree in chemical
manages the program. In-person opportunities prior to the pandemic engineering from Purdue
“It has been very rewarding to see hundreds of included industry and hospital tours, physician University. Before coming to
students participate over these last years,” Havelka shadowing and networking opportunities. The Texas A&M, he served as the
said. “I hope that we have provided some sparks transition online allowed the series to expand to Charles A. Stokes Professor of
of interest to help them pursue a particular career include panel presentations from former students, Chemical Engineering at the
path. All it takes is a spark to get that fire going! information sessions focused on career paths University of Florida. At Texas
at medical device companies, virtual product A&M, in addition to being in
The undergraduate population in biomedical
demonstrations and more. biomedical engineering, he is
engineering nearly doubled in size between 2014 and
a joint faculty member in the
2020. As a result, the program saw changes as well. “Companies, their employees and our former
Artie McFerrin Department of
“The program has grown tremendously from the students have all been extremely gracious in
Chemical Engineering.
student perspective. In its first year, approximately sharing their time and expertise with our current
20 students participated,” Lyons said. “Our students,” Lyons said. “Summer 2021 will utilize
fully virtual series in 2020 resulted in 94 active a hybrid model incorporating both in-person and
participants, 25 of which received credit for the virtual experiences.”
ENGRx curriculum requirement.”
10
FROM RESEARCH
TO ACADEMIA
Del Bosque embraces teaching opportunity
Romina Del Bosque initially pursued biomedical Del Bosque defended her dissertation in late
engineering as an undergraduate student because 2019, started teaching in January 2020 and
it combined medicine and engineering. At the time, graduated from Texas A&M in May. She is
she planned to pursue a medical degree but found now on the academic professional track at
she liked the problem-solving aspects of biomedical Vanderbilt University. Along with teaching
engineering more. two courses a semester, she has two service
That interest continued on to her doctoral components: developing a mentorship program
program. There, she continued her research in for underrepresented minorities within the
radiofrequency coil design for magnetic resonance department and designing a program that helps
GUT RESEARCH INNOVATIONS
imaging and spectroscopy in Dr. Mary McDougall’s students get internships.
lab. Financial support came from two Texas A&M While in Bryan-College Station, Del Bosque was a
University fellowships — the Louis Stokes Alliance member of the Texas A&M System Research Model
for Minority Participation and the Graduate (TxARM), part of The Texas A&M University System could help veterans through regenerative medicine
Diversity Fellowship. Texas Alliance for Graduate Education and the
“Throughout both undergrad and graduate school, Professoriate. This alliance was created to advance Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a multi-symptom illness that One challenge her overall research faces is
I had phenomenal professors and mentors,” Del knowledge about models to improve pathways impacts an estimated 25% to 35% of veterans of the sourcing cell material from the patient to form the
Bosque said. “The combination of that support to the professoriate and success of historically Gulf War. Since the war, functional gastrointestinal engineered portion. Many of the issues she’s trying
and my interest in mentoring and teaching underrepresented minority graduate students, disorders related to GWI have gone largely to address impact only parts of the gut.
undergraduate researchers in my lab is what led postdoctoral fellows and faculty in specific science, unexplained and there are no clear therapies that “For a regenerative medicine approach to work, you
me to pursue a career in academia.” technology, engineering and math disciplines. directly address gastrointestinal dysfunction in GWI. have to show that other portions of the gut are still
Del Bosque said TxARM provided a community with Dr. Shreya Raghavan, assistant professor, and her lab functioning normally,” Raghavan said. “That’s our
a common goal — to pursue a career in academia. aim to develop new ways to research GWI occurrence first challenge — to show that engineered pieces
“These professional development activities are and treatment options using bioengineering. from the uninvolved gut still function physiologically
extremely helpful when transitioning from doctoral “We believe that by investigating the pathobiology of as expected and sourcing enough amounts of
student to junior faculty,” she said. GWI-related gastrointestinal dysfunction, we will be autologous tissue to create this solution.”
One of her main professional and personal able to therapeutically target it and improve the quality Raghavan said personal connections have also led
mentors in graduate school was her advisor. One of life of aging Gulf War veterans,” Raghavan said. to her interest in studying the gut, including family
piece of advice that Del Bosque has carried with Her lab works on engineering tissue members afflicted with chronic gut disorder
her is to not doubt herself. microenvironments for both intestinal inflammation “Even outside of GWI, this work has implications in
“As a first-generation college student, I often research and cancer. By isolating all the individual other inflammatory disorders of the gut like Crohn’s
doubted myself and my abilities,” she said. “I plan cellular components and reengineering them in and colitis, even cancer initiation,” Raghavan said.
to mentor undergraduate students, especially controlled ratios, the lab is able to better understand “These sorts of personalized medicine approaches
those who are in similar situations I was in, to the different variables that cause the biological are currently not very popular in the gut realm. It
help them understand that they do belong within problems. These bioengineered constructs, if made will be exciting to generate bioengineered guts. To
the department and that hard work can help from patient-derived cells, can then be used for ask so many different questions like, ‘Why are some
them accomplish anything they set their mind to personalized, patient-specific treatments patients susceptible to colorectal cancer? Or why do
regardless of their ‘starting point.’” “The readouts from bioengineered guts/intestines some individuals with inflammatory bowel disorders
are phenomenally similar to comparable tissues from have disruptions in gut motility, and how can we
rodents, rabbits and even humans,” Raghavan said. treat them?’”
“Our previous work has shown that by creating these
gut structures, we’re able to compare physiological
function and show remarkable equivalency.”
12 engineering.tamu.edu/biomedical 13
Taking steps to improve
CAPSTONE
youth foot and ankle orthotics
Design Projects
One senior design team developed an orthotic to help
children move easier. Working with Texas Children’s
Hospital, the team designed an orthotic device to help
children with foot-ankle malalignments. Current orthotics are
either generalized pieces designed for adults or customized
The senior design experience is an extremely important part of the biomedical engineering curriculum at devices that take lots of time and money to make. The team
Texas A&M University. The department’s undergraduate students work with sponsors as part of a project developed a plan and prototype that landed at the perfect
aimed at designing and fabricating a medical device or system. The projects, which can result in new intersection of timely and customizable. Another aspect of
designs, improvements to existing designs or new process designs, are sponsored by clients such as medical their project is a business plan that explains costs, associated
device companies and clinicians. risks and anticipated profit margins
These are just a few examples of projects our students have recently participated in. Please note that all “Our sponsor is very ambitious. I think that pushes us and
photos were taken before COVID-19 restrictions were in place. challenges us more and gives us that drive to be successful,”
Emily Burrows said. “They’ve been helpful and clear on what
they want.”
Students offer pediatric Students develop device
surgeons a helping hand to support infant kidneys
When babies are born with cardiovascular issues
In a surgery suite, it’s all hands on deck to give the patient
that require surgery, their other systems, especially
the best care possible. However, using an endoscope, a
the kidneys, need support. Babies in the neonatal
tube with a light and camera attached to it, can sometimes
intensive care unit receive this support through
take away some of that mobility. This capstone team of five
peritoneal dialysis, which helps soak up and remove
developed a holder that can keep the endoscope absolutely
waste. This process is currently done by hand. One
still during surgery for a pediatric ear, nose and throat
team worked with Texas Children’s Hospital to develop
surgeon with Texas Children’s Hospital.
an automated system to save time and labor and
“This project is on the smaller scale since we are just allow the nurses to act as a second pair of eyes.
catering to our surgeon, but the bigger impact of this is it’s
“This is the first class where we have full discretion
going to cut down on procedures and it’s going to allow him
over everything,” Ashwin Mukund said. “A lot of classes
to work on more patients at the end of the day and help
have guidelines and, ‘OK, if this goes wrong, you can
those kids that need it,” Camille Felgenhauer said. “It’s those
go to a teacher,’ but this class it’s really all on us.”
small details that make the bigger picture worth it.”
Team designs phone app for Capstone team works
low-contrast visual acuity tests to help the littlest ears
Technology is always evolving, including using telehealth This capstone team worked with two sponsors from
to reach patients who cannot easily travel to a physical Texas Children’s Hospital to find new and adaptable
clinic or hospital. One capstone design team of four solutions to infant ear deformations — where all
developed a new phone app to test low-contrast visual the material is there, just not in the right place. The
acuity. Working with The University of Texas Southwestern students worked to solve a real-world problem in
Medical Center, this app could help clinicians diagnose an effective way. The team developed a 3D print
neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis, personalized treatment plan to create alternative
without the patient traveling to the clinic. devices to the generic products on the market, which
aren’t exactly fit for infants
“Our application is sort of a first test to see how your vision
is doing, and see if that’s manifesting as a symptom of a “This is the application of our education, and seeing
larger issue,” Matthew Armstrong said. “Our assignment is it and being successful with it helps me know that in
to design something that can be deployed remotely.” the future, wherever, whatever I do with my life, I will
be able to achieve something like this because I’ve
already seen results,” Meagan Makarczyk said.
Faculty Professional
Faculty & Staff Awards Society Fellows
IMPEDE® Embolization Plug Team Roozbeh Jafari Gerard Coté, Regents Professor Mike McShane, Professor
R&D 100 Award, R&D World Magazine Dean of Engineering Excellence Award, Texas A&M American Institute for Medical and American Institute for Medical and
2020 Excellence in Technology Transfer Award, – Professor Level Biological Engineering Biological Engineering
Federal Laboratory Consortium for Research Impact Award, Texas A&M Engineering Biomedical Engineering Society Roderic Pettigrew, Professor
Technology Transfer Experiment Station Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Isaac Adjei Senior Member, National Academy of Inventors International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE) American College of Cardiology
“1,000 Inspiring Black Scientists” Distinction, Tanmay Lele Melissa Grunlan, Professor American Heart Association
Cell Press Recruitment of Established Investigator’s Award, American Institute for Medical and Biological American Institute for Medical and
Daniel Alge Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Engineering Biological Engineering
Dean of Engineering Excellence Award, Texas A&M Unocal Professorship, College of Engineering American Chemical Society International Society of Magnetic
– Assistant Professor Level Charles Patrick Resonance in Medicine
Balakrishna Haridas, Professor of Practice
Saurabh Biswas Commitment to Students Award for Faculty, Texas National Academy of Engineering
American Institute for Medical and
Senior Member, National Academy of Inventors A&M chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society Biological Engineering National Academy of Medicine
Gerard Coté Charles Peak Roozbeh Jafari, Professor Vladislav Yakovlev, Professor
Walston Chubb Award for Innovation, Sigma Xi Presidential Transformative Teaching Grant American Institute for Medical and American Institute for Medical and
Biological Engineering Biological Engineering
Distinguished Achievement Award for Graduate Roderic I. Pettigrew
Mentoring, Association of Former Students American Physical Society
Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences Duncan Maitland, Professor
International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE)
Akhilesh Gaharwar Shreya Raghavan American Institute for Medical and
Biological Engineering The Optical Society of America
Dean of Engineering Excellence Award, Texas A&M ADVANCE Fellowship, National Center for Faculty
– Associate Professor Level Diversity and Development National Academy of Inventors
Outstanding Contributions, College of Engineering Kristen Maitland, Associate Professor
Limei Tian
Melissa Grunlan Trailblazer Award, National Institutes of Health American Institute for Medical and
Chancellor’s Enhancing Development and Biological Engineering
Generating Excellence in Scholarship Fellow, Alexandra Walsh International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE)
The Texas A&M University System Finalist, Early Career Professor Award,
Agilent Technologies
Eileen Hoy
Young Investigator Research Program Grant,
Commitment to Students Award for Staff, Texas Air Force Office of Scientific Research
A&M chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society
Fellows for the Advancing BioImaging
President’s Award for Academic Advising, Texas A&M Initiative, Scialog
Abhishek Jain Vladislav Yakovlev
CAREER Award, National Science Foundation Harold E. Edgerton Award in High-Speed Optics,
Dean of Engineering Excellence Award, Texas A&M International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE)
– Assistant Professor Level Faculty Fellow, Texas A&M Engineering
Experiment Station
16 engineering.tamu.edu/biomedical 17
Mobile sol ution for
ELDERLY CARE
Even before the coronavirus pandemic hit, finding elderly care was becoming
more difficult in the United States. Trying to find the right facility whi
balancing budget, health concerns and time were challenges that COVID-19
compounded. However, an interdisciplinary team of student researchers
from Texas A&M University are working toward a mobile solution.
“Dealing with the mental trauma of watching a loved one’s memories
and mental faculties deteriorate is difficult enough,” said team membe
T.J. Falohun, biomedical engineering doctoral student. “Individuals in this
position should not have to struggle to find the information that they need
to make the best decision on finding care for their loved one.
With their application, Olera, the team aims to provide a resource
for children or spouses of elderly individuals in need of professional
care and connects them to local care options. While the name Olera
doesn’t stand for anything, Falohun said it evokes a feeling of balance,
lightness and tranquility that represents the vision of their venture.
The internal workings of the
biosensor designed by the “This not only lowers the stress involved with finding care, but it
Aerosol Pathogen Sensor team. drastically reduces the time that this process would otherwise
Rapid COVID-19 Detection
take,” said member Carter Radocha, computer engineering junior.
“Upon logging in, users will have the ability to filter local facilities by
price, location and offered medical services, information that would
otherwise be time consuming to obtain.”
One challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic has been As fellows in the I-Corps program, the team
The team, which also includes business administration graduate
monitoring cases in places with high amounts of conducted 35 industry interviews and 400
student Logan DuBose, biomedical engineering senior Jesse Phipps
foot traffic. A team of students from the departmen consumer interviews to gauge reaction, interest
and biomedical engineering graduate student Chidinma Nzedibe,
worked on a biosensor that could quickly diagnose and feedback on their proposed biosensor. The
began through participation in Sling Health, a student organization
cases and help prevent the spread of coronavirus. team said they received lots of positive feedback,
where teams tackle unmet clinical needs in interdisciplinary teams.
The Aerosol Pathogen Sensor team was selected for especially since their device is noninvasive, more
The members wanted to address Alzheimer’s and dementia.
the 2020 National Science Foundation’s I-Corps Site accurate and reusable.
Team members participated in the National Science Foundation’s
Program at Texas A&M to gain resources and assistance “It was extremely useful for us because it gave us
I-Corps Site Fellows Program at Texas A&M in 2020, where they
with moving their design past the concept phase. that entrepreneurship mindset and the business
interviewed 40 people familiar with the process of searching for
Their biosensor is designed to detect airborne side versus just strictly engineering,” said junior
elderly care. This helped them learn about one of the greatest
pathogenic particles relating to COVID-19 to help Haley Clark.
challenges they would have to address — a lack of knowledge on what
diagnose a case within 20 minutes. This device is Junior Hannah Chamberlain said her biggest to do when a loved one needs to be moved to a long-term care facility.
focused on use in hospitals, private practices and takeaway from the I-Corps program was the
Moving forward, the team plans to launch a limited beta
retirement homes. entrepreneurial skills she gained.
test to test and refine the product. They also are focusing on
The team first came together to participate in “(The program) really teaches you how to gauge entrepreneurial efforts.
the Aggies Against COVID challenge in April 2020. needs from an industry and then create your device There is a demand for elderly “Less than a year ago, Olera was nothing but an idea,” Falohun said.
They also participated in the “Tracking COVID-19” based off those needs,” Chamberlain said care in the United States, but “Currently, we have a hardworking team of eight students, a prototype
challenge from the New York Academy of Science, “The applications for it truly are pretty numerous there is not an easy resource and several early adopters who are eager for our product launch.
where they competed in a global challenge assisting once we get it going,” said junior Zach Mendoza. available to find the right facility By keeping the needs of our users first, we believe we can overcome
in the tracking of COVID-19. There, they placed in “What we’re working on can be applied across all while balancing budget, health any obstacles that may arise and create a digital platform that will
the top 10 teams worldwide out of about 100 teams infectious diseases. Of course, that’s very broad and concerns and time. The Olera app, revolutionize elderly and dementia care.”
that competed. far in the future, but the fact that we’ve gotten this designed by students at Texas A&M
“There’s a lot of people suffering from the COVID far and been this successful gives me a lot of hope.” University, aims to change that.
crisis, a lot of people dying, and I wanted to help
however I could,” said junior Ryan Bean.
engineering.tamu.edu/biomedical 19OvCa-Chip
Fighting Ovarian Cancer
Recent discoveries made by researchers at Texas cells can be co-
A&M University could change the way ovarian cancer cultured along
is understood and treated. with their blood
Dr. Abhishek Jain, assistant professor in the vessels, and
Department of Biomedical Engineering, collaborated then they can
INSPIRED BY interact with blood cells. Once we learn about these
COLLABORATIVE
with researchers from the Departments of
Gynecologic Oncology and Cancer Biology at interactions, we can then move forward to look into
MD Anderson Cancer Center to gain a better how drugs will impact these kinds of interactions.”
understanding of the interaction among ovarian Viewing the interaction between tumors and blood
RESEARCH
cancer tumors, blood vessels and platelets. They vessels on the OvCa-Chip led the researchers to an
found that tumors break the blood vessel barriers so extraordinary result — the tumor cells systematically
that they can communicate with the blood cells, such broke down the endothelial cells, which are the
as platelets. When these tumors come into contact barrier that lines the interior surface of blood vessels
with platelets, they can then metastasize, or begin to and prevents exterior interaction with blood cells.
spread to other sites in the body. Once this barrier was gone, blood cells and platelets
Michael Frassica chose to pursue his doctoral the department and across the entire university,” Currently, researchers understand that platelets are entered the tumor microenvironment and could be
degree in biomedical engineering at Texas A&M Frassica said. “The department provides a lot of one of the initiators of ovarian cancer metastasis but did recruited for metastasis.
University. He said he was drawn to the research collaborative opportunities between labs and not know what led to the introduction of the platelets Harnessing this knowledge could change how
area because he’s interested in the crossover of research, and also through coursework and to the tumor cells. Instead of struggling to view this clinicians approach ovarian cancer treatment, Jain
medicine with chemistry and biology. seminars. The department really tries to get you relationship in animal models, Jain’s team brought a said, suggesting that anti-vascular drugs could be
“I wanted to find a way to utilize those fields to solv and faculty together as much as possible to foster new solution to the table: organ-on-a-chip research. considered along with anticancer treatments. A
macro-level problems in the field of medicine,” that collaboration.” benefit of the organ-on-a-chip is that it can also tes
Organs-on-a-chip are microfluidic medical devices th
Frassica said. As an out-of-state student, Frassica said he was size of a USB drive. The team designed the OvCa-Chip these novel drug treatments and drug combinations.
His research focuses on treating osteochondral pleasantly surprised at how smoothly the transition to give researchers an easier window to view the “You have to understand that these are chips that are
defects, such as loss of tissue in the knee, with to Texas A&M went. biological processes between tumors and platelets. living. They contain living cells. The advantage is that
templated hydrogel scaffolds to aid in regeneration “Texas A&M itself is built to take in anybody from In an interview with the International Society on these are all actually human samples,” Jain stated in
anywhere. It’s home in and of itself. The transition is Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Jain explained that “it the interview. “So what we think the future for this
“We aim to provide an off-the-shelf synthetic
a lot easier than I think anybody could ever imagine basically is a microenvironment where ovarian tumor technology is, is perhaps we can advance it in the
device that can repair damaged osteochondral
it would be,” Frassica said. direction of personalized medicine.”
tissue without the limitations of current surgical
approaches,” Frassica said. “In doing so, we can stop One of his biggest takeaways was to stress the
these defects from progressing to osteoarthritis importance of time management — most graduate
and eventual total knee students run their own schedules — and his advice
replacement.” is for students to come in ready to accomplish a
Frassica said since he diversity of tasks.
started school at Texas “Be prepared to solve a wide variety of problems
A&M, he gained more across several different topics and fields. If you’r
skills in time management, excited about doing something like that, then it’s
communication and definitely the right place,” Frassica said
collaboration. Frassica graduated with his Ph.D. and is now employed
“I’ve enjoyed the access to as a senior clinical research scientist at Abbott.
equipment, facilities and
high-level personnel in
20STAFF SPOTLIGHT
HOY BRINGS LOVE FOR TEACHING TO OUTSTANDING ALUMNI
ACADEMIC ADVISING POSITION
Eileen Hoy, undergraduate academic advisor, loves helping students navigate the
Cindy Haven ’79
Haven, now retired, spent the majority of her career leading innovative, biologically
many resources biomedical engineering and Texas A&M University have to offer. based programs at NASA, including the Human Research Facility.
The Department of Biomedical Engineering at Texas “I do believe in what the department is doing, and
Eileen Hoy began her pursuit of helping students “Anything I do, big or small, has an effect on the A&M University presented its 2020 Outstanding that they’re doing some amazing things,” Haven
while working toward her master’s degree in the student,” Hoy said. “I make every effort to make Alumni Award to Cindy Haven ’79, who spent most said. “I’ve seen some of the amazing students
early ’80s when she decided to earn a certification to certain that what I do makes that effect a positive of her career launching — literally — innovative, already come past here, and it makes me feel like
teach high school. one. I do make mistakes, but I try my best to make biologically based programs at NASA. things are in good hands.”
“While teaching, I spent a lot of time working with them right. Being selected for these awards is “Cindy always took that one more chance to make Over the years, Haven has also mentored students
and talking to students individually on topics other awesome, but I don’t do what I do for any award. I an impact at NASA, and now we’re thrilled to and provided advice.
than science and their coursework. We discussed do it for the students.” recognize her many accomplishments here today,” “I want to help students with the challenges of
personal issues, decisions they were making about said Dr. Mike McShane, department head. getting into the business, understanding what I call
coursework, going to college, working after high After graduating from Texas A&M with her lessons learned, what went wrong, what went right,”
school, what careers they wanted,” Hoy said. bachelor’s degree in bioengineering, Haven took Haven said.
Hoy and her family moved to the Bryan/College a job at NASA, where she worked for 31 years. “A lifetime of learning is something that’s very
Station area in 1994. After serving in various She started in the life sciences project division in important,” Haven said. “I’ve tried to make sure that
roles, she started working for the Department 1988 and was involved in various roles in Spacelab I didn’t stagnate. Make sure you get smarter, change
of Biochemistry and Biophysics at Texas A&M missions dedicated to life sciences research. your mind along the way, but never, never stop
University as the stockroom manager. After a couple “I did continue to use my biomedical engineering learning, and share with other people what you know.”
of years, the department’s advisor position opened education and relationships,” Haven said. “I wasn’t The department’s Outstanding Alumni Award is
up. Hoy applied and was hired, and she continued to one of those people who got a degree and changed given annually to former biomedical engineering
grow her love of working with students and helping fields. It served me well my entire career. students who shoot for the stars. The award is
them navigate new knowledge.
Haven was a key member of the initial team that laid based on peer nomination.
“There is so much, especially at the university the groundwork for the biomedical and biological
level, that can remain uncovered unless they really research on the International Space Station (ISS), an
research or have someone help them find thos effort known today as the Human Research Facility
hidden opportunities that can make a real differenc (HRF). In 2001, Haven served as HRF increment lead
in a student’s career path/life,” Hoy said. “I love seeing to watch the launch and installation of the first rack
the changes they make and the process of maturing of payload equipment that started human research
as they progress through the years to graduation.” aboard the station, an effort that continues today
Hoy joined the Department of Biomedical She also managed the ISS Medical Project, worked
Engineering as an undergraduate academic advisor with the Human Research Program’s International
in December 2018. She said she likes that the Science Office to establish processes, ris
department has a family feel despite being part of a management and data sharing principles across
large university. all ISS international partners, and helped NASA
Hoy’s exceptional academic advising has been transition to the Exploration phase.
recognized many times. She was a recipient of the Throughout her career, Haven made sure to
2020 President’s Award for Academic Advising and maintain connections to the department and Texas
the 2019 Commitment to Students Award from the A&M. She connected with fellow graduates, used
student chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society. social networking to stay in touch and attended
events in the College Station and Houston areas.
She gives financially and plans to leave a living
legacy in the department.
22 engineering.tamu.edu/biomedical 23Birthing Medical Innovation
Students in Texas A&M University’s Department models and virtual reality tools, as well as Designing Health Innovation start with a deep dive into the many career paths
of Biomedical Engineering are learning to create electronics and chemical and biological test available, followed by training in Solidworks.
The department is always looking for improvements
innovative solutions for some of the most pressing equipment. The space will also include During the course of their last two semesters,
while maintaining quality and currency to prepare
medical issues facing individuals around the specialized hand tools, 3D printers, laser undergraduates work with sponsors on a project
students for entering the biomedical field.
globe. They also are working with companies and machining tools and other prototyping equipment. aimed at designing and fabricating a medical device
“Preparing students to succeed in this rapidly
clinicians nationwide to address these needs. Critical infrastructure such as large-screen or system. This expanded curriculum ultimately
changing industry, which now includes things like
Ideally, these students would have access to a televisions, HD cameras and high-fidelity audi prepares students for a realistic industry experience.
artificial intelligence and robotics, is a major priority
collaborative space that offers access to medical for effective communication will further allo
of ours,” said Dr. Mike McShane ’94, biomedical
specific models, tools and supplies as well a students to virtually meet with clients, researchers
engineering department head and holder of the
audiovisual capabilities to communicate with and medical professionals. This expanded curriculum, detailed below, ultimately
James J. Cain Professorship II.
remote partners anywhere in the world — from Students will also have access to the Fischer prepares students for a realistic industry experience.
the operating room to the African desert. Based on internal observations and feedback from
Engineering Design Center, a makerspace that Year One: General engineering students study
external stakeholders — including an advisory
A space tailored to the specific needs for teachin serves all engineering students but doesn’t offe diseases as well as types of devices used for
board comprising representatives from the medical
biomedical engineering has been created thanks to specific biomedical engineering equipment. “We’r treatment, such as pacemakers.
device industry, clinicians and academic leaders
recent room renovations. Now, the department’s not looking to recreate what the college already
— the department launched a revised curriculum Year Two: After joining biomedical engineering,
leaders are working with the Texas A&M has,” Machek said. “We’re looking to add resources
with significant enhancements to the design students learn about federal agencies, risk
Foundation to identify funding to outfit a state and capabilities that don’t exist and also have a
experience. While design work has been part of the management and disease control. Teams begin
of-the-art Biomedical Engineering Design Studio. ‘home base’ where these students can coalesce
department’s curriculum in some way since 1972, creating small-scale design projects.
“We need to create a space where our students to work on their projects or work in teams when
there is now an expanded focus on medical device
can immerse themselves in the design process classes aren’t meeting.” Year Three: Students explore the demographic
design innovation starting in sophomore courses
and have tools and equipment that are not readily Once outfitted, the BME Design Studio will mor and ethnographic needs for design solutions, the
that culminates in a senior year capstone project.
available other places on campus,” said Professor adequately support students’ progress as they development of design proposals and the patent
of Practice James Machek. In 2013 the department was the first in the college landscape.
go through the design course sequence and help
to implement a vertical integrated curriculum,
The BME Design Studio, located in the them create innovative prototypes for project Year Four: Students develop a prototype based on
where design content was taught during each year
Emerging Technologies Building, will foster an sponsors. For more information on the senior the needs of industry and clinician sponsors such as
of the biomedical engineering degree rather than
entrepreneurial mindset based on teamwork and capstone experience and project examples, visit Texas Children’s Hospital, Becton Dickinson, Abbott
just the senior year. The curriculum was further
design. Students will have access to a variety of tx.ag/bmencapstone. and many others.
revised in 2019 to impact student knowledge base
specific medical resources such as anatomica
concerning industry preparedness. Students now
24 engineering.tamu.edu/biomedical 25You can also read
