Biomedical Engineering Ph.D.

The University of Vermont offers a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in its interdisciplinary Biomedical Engineering (BME) Program. This flexible, dynamic degree trains aspiring researchers to apply engineering techniques to the study of biological systems.

Our program is driven by a core group of faculty dedicated to teaching, research, and mentorship in BME. PhD students may perform their research with this core group or a wide array of affiliated faculty from across the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (CEMS) and College of Medicine (COM). This cross-disciplinary group of BME faculty has a broad range of interests and approaches centered on several areas of expertise.

Digital Health

Digital Health aims to make medicine more personalized and precise by developing, evaluating, and deploying new technologies including algorithms (e.g., digital signal processing, machine learning), wearable sensors, and mobile health apps.

FacultyName & TitleArea of ExpertiseEmail
   David Bernstein
Biomedical Engineering
Computational Biology, Systems Biology, Genome-Scale Metabolic Modeling, Microbiome, Machine LearningDavid.Bernstein@uvm.edu
   David Jangraw
Biomedical Engineering
Human Neuroimaging, Machine Learning, Brain-Computer Interfaces, EEG, fMRI, Eye Trackingdjangraw@uvm.edu
 Nick Cheney
Computer Science
Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Meta-Learning, AutoML, Evolutionary Robotics, Soft Roboticsncheney@uvm.edu
Safwan Wshah
Computer Science
Machine Learning, Image & Video Processing, Deep Learning, Pattern Recognition, Computer Vision, Document Imaging & Digital Signal ProcessingSafwan.Wshah@uvm.edu

Courses

  • BME 3720 – Biosignal Decoding
  • BME 3740 – Wearable Sensors
  • BME 3750 – Biomedical Signal Processing
  • BME 3XX – Digital Biomarkers
  • BME 3990 – Microbiome Engineering

Biomechanics

Biomechanics applies mechanical principles to the study of the structure and function of the human body

FacultyName & TitleArea of ExpertiseEmail
Michael Rosen
Center for Biomedical Innovation
Control of human movement, assistive technology, design of systems and products, design educationmrosen@uvm.edu
Bruce Beynnon
Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation
Musculoskeletal ResearchBruce.Beynnon@uvm.edu
Nic Fiorentino
Mechanical Engineering
Biomechanics, orthopaedics, human motion, motion capture, multibody dynamic modeling, finite element modeling, biological tissue mechanicsniccolo.fiorentino@uvm.edu

Courses

  • BME 3460 – Biomechanics of Human Motion
  • BME 3740 – Wearable Sensors
  • BME 3750 – Biomedical Signal Processing
  • BME 3990 – Musculoskeletal System Dynamics
  • BME 3990 – Medical Imaging Systems

Biomaterials

Biomaterials applies material science to biomedical problems to improve therapeutics and diagnostics using tissue engineering, drug delivery, medical devices, and biosensors.

FacultyName & TitleArea of ExpertiseEmail
Amber Doiron
Biomedical Engineering
Biomaterials, Nanotechnology, Drug Delivery, Molecular Imaging, Magnetic Resonance Imagingamber.doiron@uvm.edu
Rachael Floreani
Mechanical Engineering
Biomaterials, Polymer Chemistry, Tissue Engineering, Drug Delivery, Regenerative MedicineRachael.Oldinski@uvm.edu
Daneil Weiss
Pulmonary Medicine
Med-PulmonaryDaniel.Weiss@uvm.edu

Courses

  • BME 5150 – Nanobiomaterials
  • BME 3990 – Medical Devices
  • BME 3990 – Biomechanics: Tissue Engineering
  • BME 3990 – Biothermodynamics

Neuroengineering

Neuroengineering adapts new technologies to the study of the brain, including brain-computer interfaces, neuroimaging, and mental health research.

FacultyName & TitleArea of ExpertiseEmail
David Jangraw
Biomedical Engineering
Human Neuroimaging, Machine Learning, Brain-Computer Interfaces, EEG, fMRI, Eye Trackingdjangraw@uvm.edu
Chris Berger
Molecular Physiology and Biophysics
Molecular Physiology and BiophysicsChristopher.Berger@uvm.edu
Marilyn Cipolla
Neurological Sciences
Acute ischemic stroke and reperfusion injury, Cerebrovascular adaptation to pregnancy and preeclampsia/eclampsia, Long-term cardiovascular consequences of preeclampsiaMarilyn.Cipolla@uvm.edu

Courses

  • BME 6990 – Brain-Computer Interfaces

Computational Modeling

Computational modeling uses advanced mathematics and computing to create testable hypotheses about the mechanisms driving biological processes.

FacultyName & TitleArea of ExpertiseEmail
Jason Bates
Biomedical Engineering
Pulmonary Disease & Critical Care MedicineJason.Bates@uvm.edu
   David Bernstein
Biomedical Engineering
Computational Biology, Systems Biology, Genome-Scale Metabolic Modeling, Microbiome, Machine LearningDavid.Bernstein@uvm.edu
David Jangraw
Biomedical Engineering
Human Neuroimaging, Machine Learning, Brain-Computer Interfaces, EEG, fMRI, Eye Trackingdjangraw@uvm.edu
Yves Dubief
Mechanical Engineering
Fluid mechanics, turbulence, incompressible and compressible flows, non-Newtonian flows, numerical simulationYves.Dubief@uvm.edu
Jeffrey Marshall
Mechanical Engineering
Vortex-structure interaction, vortex turbulence, two-phase turbulent flows, particle adhesion, biofluid flows, wind energy, algae biofuels, Lagrangian and multiscale computational methods, thin-film flowsJeff.Marshall@uvm.edu
Jun Yu, Ph.D., Mathematics and StatisticsApplied Mathematics, Modeling, Biomathematicsjun.yu@uvm.edu

Courses

  • BME 3750 – Biomedical Signal Processing
  • BME 3990 – Musculoskeletal System Dynamics
  • BME 3XX – Digital Biomarkers
  • BME 3990 – Computational Systems Biology