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Eight biomedical engineering students earn 2026 graduating student awards

Alexander James Servantez — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:39:02 +0000

Eight biomedical engineering students earn 2026 graduating student awards Alexander Jame… Wed, 04/29/2026 - 11:39

Alexander Servantez

Eight students from the Biomedical Engineering program (BME) have earned 10 graduating student awards from the College of Engineering and Applied Science in 2026.

These awards honor seniors who are nominated by faculty, staff or fellow students for their outstanding contributions.

Each of the eight award winners will be recognized and celebrated at the program's Graduation Recognition Ceremony on Saturday, May 2.

Read below to learn more about these students and their amazing achievements.

Cody Campos

Campos is receiving the Academic Engagement Award for his dedication to academic success, not just for himself but for others, as well. He served as a team leader during his senior design capstone project. He has also seized several opportunities to attain a holistic, interdisciplinary experience at CU �鶹ӰԺ, such as a fellowship at the Benson Center for the Study of Western Civilization, a study abroad experience in Ecuador and a host of extracurricular experiences in healthcare.

For others, Campos was a great course and teaching assistant for multiple courses, hosting events regularly to help students improve and deepen their knowledge. His nominator says that Campos is “someone that his peers go to for help,” and despite being extremely busy, he always makes every effort to help them to the best of his ability.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

I plan to work on my medical school application while gaining ICU experience and building my skills by caring for patients in a demanding environment. At the same time, I want to keep volunteering because staying connected to my community and giving back is very important to me.

These goals build on the lessons I learned at CU �鶹ӰԺ, where I learned to address complex problems with both technical skill and empathy. Furthermore, my experience in biomedical engineering and as a teaching assistant strengthened my critical thinking, communication, and teaching abilities. CU �鶹ӰԺ also taught me to balance technical work with compassion, a value I will carry into my medical career.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

Take ownership of your path early and don’t be afraid to adjust it as you learn more about yourself. The most meaningful experiences I had came from stepping outside of what was required, whether that was getting involved in clinical work, teaching or volunteering. Those moments are where you actually figure out what matters to you.

Madison Seckman

Seckman is receiving three awards this spring, including the Community Impact Award, Global Engagement Award and Research Award.

Her community contributions come from an interesting and unique place. During her time at CU �鶹ӰԺ, Seckman created a cooking course called Balancing Builders, designed around mental health themes. The sustainable program helped facilitate difficult conversations regarding mental health and transition periods.

She also served a four-year commitment with Engineers Without Borders Ecuador, where she helped lead the design of essential infrastructure, such as taps and meters, for a community in need. Her nominator says she has demonstrated a clear ability to deliver technical engineering practices while respecting and collaborating with indigenous knowledge systems.

Seckman has exhibited outstanding research ability, as well. She spent nearly a year working in the Pellegrino Lab, led by Research Professor John Pellegrino, where she focused on the development of semipermeable graphene-based membrane electrodes. Her work was highly innovative, aiming to create a device capable of powering medical implants like pacemakers and prosthetics using only blood flow.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

Starting this fall, I am transitioning from an internship to a full-time position with Medtronic as a CAS Clinical Specialist providing technical support for physicians in hospitals. I am also moving to Durham, North Carolina where I will be a part-time graduate student at Duke University earning a master's in mechanical engineering.

CU �鶹ӰԺ helped me make connections at Medtronic through the Biomedical Engineering Society, and provided rigorous coursework that helped me get into grad school at Duke.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

Don't be afraid to have fun! Focus on your grades when you need to, but stay ahead so you can be spontaneous. Try a new sport or learn a new skill!

Vivian Shi

Shi, a Community Impact Award recipient, is well-known for being a dedicated student leader in the Biomedical Engineering Program (BME) during her time at CU �鶹ӰԺ. She was an active member in the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), even being named co-chair of the Career Symposium Committee in 2024. The activities Shi helped organize while in this role helped promote community and engagement.

Her nominator says Shi also worked tirelessly to create a welcoming, safe environment for others. Whether it was as a mentor for the BMES Peer Mentorship Program or a guest speaker at Engineering Launch, Shi has done everything in her power to help set her peers up for future success.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

I'm doing a master's degree in biomedical engineering, as well as hoping to work in industry during that year. CU �鶹ӰԺ helped me prepare by giving me the tools and support I needed to thrive in these years. I sincerely appreciate the support staff and faculty in the BME department!

Hamza Ahmed

Ahmed has earned a Research Award for his work in the Borden Lab, led by Professor Mark Borden. Since joining the lab, Ahmed has helped lead the lab through an NSF I-Corps research-to-market customer discovery interview initiative, where he was tasked with reaching out to leaders in radiation detection and safety to interview them about the state of the field and shortcomings of the current solutions.

His contributions were pivotal to the project, and gleaned key insights that have guided the group’s research thus far. Ahmed was even able to disseminate his knowledge of bubble chamber dosimeters and results of customer discovery interviews to the CU �鶹ӰԺ community during the end-of-summer SPUR showcase. Positive results of this work will be included in a future scientific publication.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

Next for me is pursuing opportunities in either engineering design and development or STEM education, depending on where I can make the most impact.

My time at CU �鶹ӰԺ and the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) prepared me for both paths by giving me a strong technical foundation along with hands-on experience in CAD, prototyping and system design. At the same time, I developed the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and work with diverse groups, which is just as important in education as it is in engineering.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

Take advantage of every opportunity to build and apply what you’re learning early on. Classes give you the foundation, but projects, internships and hands-on work are where everything really clicks. The biggest growth comes from getting involved, asking questions and pushing beyond your comfort zone.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or take risks—that’s where real learning happens. Some of your best experiences will come from trying things you’re not fully prepared for yet. Also, make an effort to meet people who are driven and want to make an impact. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people who care about building, creating and changing the world will push you to grow in ways you can’t do alone.

Alisha Kumari

Kumari, a Research Award honoree, has contributed significantly to the development of a high-resolution microstenciling fabrication technique that enabled precise metallic patching on arbitrarily shaped active particles. The work stems from the Shields Lab, led by Assistant Professor Wyatt Shields, and was recently published in the prestigious Nature Communications journal.

Kumari’s research carries clear near- and longer-term impacts for both basic active-matter science and practical applications in microrobotics and targeted microscale technologies. For her career trajectory, these accomplishments demonstrate technical depth, experimental independence and the ability to translate basic-method advances into broadly useful platforms—qualities that position her to drive further innovation in active materials and microsystems engineering.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

I am hoping to pursue a career contributing to the healthcare field through the development of medical devices. CEAS and CU �鶹ӰԺ have prepared me for this path through industry-relevant coursework and research opportunities. My experience as a research assistant in Dr. Shields’ lab has allowed me to develop applicable technical skills and grow as both a student and researcher.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

One of the most valuable things you can do is stick with the difficult classes, even when they feel overwhelming. Those foundations are what make the later, hands-on projects so rewarding.

Vivian Nguyen

Nguyen’s work in the Shields Lab has contributed to the advancement of three separate projects, earning her a Research Award this spring. She has generated high-quality microscopy images and videos that were critical to the group’s Monte Carlo microbot research, she operated several microscope platforms, developed robust imaging protocols and curated sets used for analysis and visualization.

She is also a co-author of two forthcoming papers on the programmable magnetic microparticles and the chemically functionalized biosensing platform. Her nominator says she is exceptionally technically versatile, reliable and meticulous. She combines hands-on fabrication and assay expertise with strong imaging and data management skills, an uncommon and valuable combination in the world of research.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

After graduating from CU �鶹ӰԺ with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and a minor in electrical engineering, I plan on pursuing a career in medical device design and surgical implants. I am especially interested in applying all of the technical and interpersonal expertise I have gained during my time at CU �鶹ӰԺ to solve real clinical problems.

CU �鶹ӰԺ and CEAS have provided me with the theoretical background and practical experience that lay the foundation for my future. Through my coursework and research experience, I have had the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to projects that have the potential for real human impact in the medical field.

Projects classes such as senior capstone and bioinstrumentation have pushed me to take a concept through ideation, design, testing and iteration. That experience, including working in teams and communicating technical ideas effectively, has made me feel confident stepping into a professional engineering role.

Meredith Overton

Overton is receiving a Research Award for contributions in the Tan Research Group, led by Associate Professor Wei Tan. Since joining the team in 2024, Overton has progressed from learning foundational lab skills to independently performing complex experimental tasks, including scaffold fabrication, sample preparation and quantitative analysis.

Her nominator says her greatest strength is her high-quality and reliable work. However, her potential extends beyond that. Overton’s nominator says she shows “exceptional promise” for future impact in science and engineering.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

Currently, I plan to continue at CU �鶹ӰԺ to earn my master's degree through the Bachelor’s-Accelerated Master’s Program (BAM). I will also simultaneously be continuing my search for potential job prospects at medical device companies.

CEAS has helped me best prepare for this path by providing me the opportunities needed to explore my interests in medical technology, such as having access to work in a cardiovascular tissue engineering position as an undergraduate.

Alena Tucker

Tucker has earned a Research Award for her efforts in the FLOWLab, led by Assistant Professor Debanjan Mukherjee. Since joining in 2023, Tucker has carved out a niche expertise in developing sophisticated benchtop models that replicate physiological flow and transport scenarios, with a particular focus on the human cerebrovascular system.

Tucker’s nominator says her body of work is extremely impressive and goes far beyond the boundaries of a traditional undergraduate researcher. For instance, her designs enabled the creation of one of the very first experimental models for collateral circulation in the human brain—work that is now the subject of a journal article on which she is a co-author.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

After graduation, I'll be working full-time as a Project Engineer at Prime Path Medtech. CU �鶹ӰԺ and CEAS provided a community and course-load that helped me grow as a person and develop invaluable engineering tools that I aim to utilize as I move into the medical device industry.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

My advice for other students is to make the most of every single opportunity you can while you're here, whether it's social or academic events, extracurricular activities or anything else that might come your way.

Eight students from the Biomedical Engineering program (BME) have earned graduating student awards from the College of Engineering and Applied Science in 2026. These awards honor seniors who are nominated by faculty, staff or fellow students for their outstanding contributions to the college and campus community.

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BME senior project brings next-generation accessibility to live events

Alexander James Servantez — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:25:36 +0000

BME senior project brings next-generation accessibility to live events Alexander Jame… Thu, 04/09/2026 - 08:25

Alexander Servantez

Music has a way of bringing people together in the same shared experience.

But for more than 11 million Americans who are deaf or hard of hearing, live concerts don’t always offer that same sense of inclusion.

A group of seniors in the Biomedical Engineering Program (BME) at CU �鶹ӰԺ are working to change that by designing a set of closed caption glasses during their senior capstone design class.

A close look at the team's closed caption glasses in action during a live concert.

The project is sponsored by Shine Music, a nonprofit creating barrier-free live music experiences through accessibility, adaptive technology and universal design. It uses real-time audio transcription to display song lyrics directly through the lens of a pair of wearable glasses.

The team said the device will help bring a new level of accessibility to concerts, theater, lectures and beyond.

“Deaf or hard of hearing individuals often don’t have the ability to experience the joy of live music and events as others. They are typically placed in designated areas where their focus is on an ASL interpreter instead of experiencing the show,” said software engineer Alena Tucker. “Our goal is to provide another option that allows them to be more fully engaged in the live setting.”

To do this, the group developed a mobile app that uses Apple Speech to transcribe local audio signals. The app connects to the glasses via Bluetooth, sending a live stream of captions that appear right in the user’s field of vision.

According to the team, the system operates with less than a one-second delay and achieves over 90% accuracy, allowing users to receive fast, reliable captions almost instantaneously. For deaf or hard of hearing people, that level of speed and accuracy can make the difference between a seamless, enjoyable experience and one that feels delayed or disconnected—especially in smaller venues where accessibility options are limited.

“It’s very costly for smaller venues to hire an ASL interpreter,” said software engineer Meredith Overton. “A lot of times this prevents people from buying last-minute tickets because there might not be an interpreter on-site.”

But despite impressive speed and accuracy benchmarks, the group still faced challenges that made the project difficult to perfect.

One challenge involved the varying complexities of music. Genres like rap and rock, which feature fast-paced beats and rapid lyrics, proved difficult for the device to process quickly.

Another challenge was budgetary constraints. However, their team dynamics and willingness to learn new things helped them overcome these obstacles.

“Even with all of the stress, everyone knew we were going to work hard, laugh, have a good time and make the best out of it,” said production lead and electronics engineer Maeve Bihn. “This process has been about learning as we go. It’s taught us a lot about the overall diversity of biomedical engineering.”

With the highly anticipated Engineering Expo event right around the corner, the group is working diligently to finalize their design and data. They hope to have a functioning set of closed caption glasses available for visitors to try themselves.

Join us at Engineering Expo 2026!

Everything CU �鶹ӰԺ engineering students learn culminates in capstone design projects, presented at the annual Engineering Projects Expo. Explore amazing new inventions and technologies created by our next-generation of engineers!

Who: K-12 students, prospective CU Engineers, and community members are all encouraged to attend.

When: Friday, April 17 from 2 to 5 p.m.

Where: Ford Practice Facility, 2150 Colorado Ave., �鶹ӰԺ, CO

Parking: Available in Lot 436 and the Regent Parking Garage for $5.

Music has a way of bringing people together in the same shared experience. But for more than 11 million Americans who are deaf or hard of hearing, live concerts don’t always offer that same sense of inclusion. A group of seniors in the Biomedical Engineering Program (BME) at CU �鶹ӰԺ are working to change that by designing a set of closed caption glasses during their senior capstone design class.

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From left to right: Ben Finneseth, Alena Tucker, Maeve Binh, Meredith Overton, Maddie Venezia-Ford, Aryan Mulgaokar

BME seniors design residual limb warmer for winter para-athletes

Alexander James Servantez — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:48:23 +0000

BME seniors design residual limb warmer for winter para-athletes Alexander Jame… Wed, 04/08/2026 - 09:48

Alexander Servantez

On freezing mountain tracks and icy slopes around the world, elite para-athletes are constantly pushing their bodies to the limit.

But in subzero conditions, that pursuit comes with unique risks that aren’t always easy to detect.

A team of seniors in the Biomedical Engineering Program (BME) at CU �鶹ӰԺ are working to change that by designing a residual limb warmer for winter para-athletes during their senior capstone design course. Inspired by the ruggedness of winter jackets and ski boots, the device will help prevent discomfort, injury and long-term complications in cold-exposed residual limbs.

A close look at the team's residual limb warmer design for winter para-athletes.

The project is sponsored by Project S.E.R.V.E., a nonprofit that partners student engineers with veterans and emergency responders to design solutions that improve their quality of life. The group says it focuses on the hidden dangers para-athletes face in extreme cold conditions, where reduced circulation and limited sensation can allow injuries to develop without warning.

“Amputated limbs often have less blood flow and less heat transfer, meaning they get cold more quickly,” said design engineer Nathan Day. “However, other factors can make the risk worse. Scar tissue buildup and a lack of nerve endings in the area could hinder the body’s natural ability to sense and respond to the cold.

“Essentially, severe tissue damage could occur without the para-athlete ever feeling it.”

To address these issues, the group created a multi-layered warming sleeve designed to enhance safety without sacrificing performance. The device uses durable wire heaters to deliver consistent heat while withstanding the impact of high-intensity crashes.

Inside the sleeve is a removable merino wool liner that sits closest to the prosthetic socket. The liner provides extra comfort and can be easily removed for cleaning after long days of use.

Beyond the inner layer, the team added a graphene reflective material that redirects heat from the wire heaters back toward the limb. Paired with lightweight synthetic insulation—similar to that used in high-performance winter gear—the system helps retain warmth even in wet or windy conditions.

And finally, the device features a rugged and weather-resistant outer shell that protects against debris and ensures continued functionality in the harsh, unpredictable environments where para-athletes compete.

“We’re not just protecting para-athletes from the cold,” said Day. “We want to empower them to conquer the mountains fearlessly.”

The team says the project was largely inspired by themselves. As Colorado natives, they were all able to draw upon some of their own experiences at mountain resorts to develop a valuable product.

An inside look of the residual limb warmer, showcasing the device's graphene reflective material.

But even with their own experiences on the slopes, the students quickly realized there was a critical perspective they lacked: what it truly feels like to be a para-athlete.

That’s why they teamed up with Doc Jacobs, 2026 US Para Bobsled National Champion, to provide the real-world para-athlete perspective they were missing.

“He has been an integral part of our design process this year,” said materials engineer David Debretsion. “We’ve given him our progress reports and asked him for feedback. He’s so inspiring and it’s really exciting to see how a device like this can make a real impact in his life.”

The group was able to work with a handful of other para-athletes and medical professionals, as well. According to the students, the partnerships helped open their eyes to what they call “the little things.”

“We had an idea for an LED color system to help para-athletes monitor their sleeve’s heat level, but with feedback from our sources, we realized we had to consider things like color blindness,” said product lead and design engineer Cassie Eisen. “Or even for our fastening system—we had to understand that para-athletes are wearing bulky gear that makes it difficult to use their hands.

“It’s definitely helped us take a step back and be more accessible for the greater para-athletic community.”

The team is excited to showcase their project at this year’s Engineering Expo event. They say visitors will get the chance to interact with their physical heating sleeve, see past prototypes and even explore the different layers that make up the device.

But their journey doesn’t end there. The group will also be competing in Project S.E.R.V.E.'s National Design Competition in April, where they will put their heating sleeve to the test against 11 other universities.

Still, their goal is to create a device that doesn’t just excel on paper—it puts the para-athlete first.

“Of course, we want to win the competition,” Day said. “But this is a device that will be used on a real person for real results. Even if we don’t completely align with the needs of the competition, we’ll be happy if we create the best possible product for para-athletes.”

Join us at Engineering Expo 2026!

Who: K-12 students, prospective CU Engineers, and community members are all encouraged to attend.

When: Friday, April 17 from 2 to 5 p.m.

Where: Ford Practice Facility, 2150 Colorado Ave., �鶹ӰԺ, CO

Parking: Available in Lot 436 and the Regent Parking Garage for $5.

On freezing mountain tracks and icy slopes around the world, elite para-athletes are constantly pushing their bodies to the limit. But in subzero conditions, that pursuit comes with unique risks that aren’t always easy to detect. A team of seniors in the Biomedical Engineering Program (BME) at CU �鶹ӰԺ are working to change that by designing a residual limb warmer for winter para-athletes during their senior capstone design course.

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From left to right: Matteo Coscia, David Debretsion, Nathan Day, Anna Sallee, Cassie Eisen, Sara Wissner, Alyssa Radman

A simple shot shows promise to reverse osteoarthritis within weeks

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:37:30 +0000

A simple shot shows promise to reverse osteoarthritis within weeks Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 04/08/2026 - 09:37

A research team including scientists and engineers from �鶹ӰԺ, University of Colorado Anschutz and Colorado State University has developed a suite of new therapies that prompt aging or damaged joints to repair themselves within weeks, according to animal studies.

The new osteoarthritis treatments include a single, regenerative injection to a joint and a biomaterial repair kit that recruits the body’s own cells to patch holes in damaged cartilage.

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CU �鶹ӰԺ biomedical engineering graduate program ranks top 20

Alexander James Servantez — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:50:54 +0000

CU �鶹ӰԺ biomedical engineering graduate program ranks top 20 Alexander Jame… Tue, 04/07/2026 - 10:50

The Biomedical Engineering graduate program at CU �鶹ӰԺ was ranked 19th amongst public institutions for 2026-27, according to U.S. News and World Report’s Best Graduate Schools rankings. Up two spots from last year, the program continues to build on its growing national reputation.

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Why do we get a skip in our step when we're happy? Thank dopamine

Mallory Phillips — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:17:06 +0000

Why do we get a skip in our step when we're happy? Thank dopamine Mallory Phillips Tue, 03/24/2026 - 15:17

New research by engineers from the lab of Alaa Ahmed, BME faculty member at CU �鶹ӰԺ aims to get to the bottom of why, as the saying goes, you get a “skip in your step” when you’re happy.

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Could 3D-printed livers make transplant lists a thing of the past?

Mallory Phillips — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:04:57 +0000

Could 3D-printed livers make transplant lists a thing of the past? Mallory Phillips Tue, 03/24/2026 - 15:04

The human liver, experts say, is an architectural wonder. But its complexity has also made it immensely difficult to replicate in the lab.

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How CU �鶹ӰԺ built a biomedical engineering powerhouse

Alexander James Servantez — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 21:35:35 +0000

How CU �鶹ӰԺ built a biomedical engineering powerhouse Alexander Jame… Mon, 03/23/2026 - 15:35

Alexander Servantez

When the first biomedical engineering class graduated from CU �鶹ӰԺ in 2023, about a dozen students walked across the stage.

They weren’t just earning degrees—they were laying the foundation for a degree program on the rise.

Today, that once-small start has evolved into a powerful engine for biomedical innovation and education. With robust industry partnerships, national accreditation and a potent local research pipeline, the Biomedical Engineering Program (BME) has quickly ballooned into the College of Engineering and Applied Science’s fourth-largest degree-granting program.

But how does a program go from modest beginnings to powerhouse in such a short time? Director Corey Neu believes it was only ever a matter of time.

“We’ve had biomedical research in our laboratories for years,” said Neu. “We’ve had individual course offerings and other opportunities for people to learn about biomedical engineering. However, it was never organized into a formal degree-granting program.”

That is, until 2018, when a conversation amongst faculty began to spark some lofty ideas.

The early journey

At the time, CU �鶹ӰԺ only offered a biomedical engineering minor. The program featured just one course, Introduction to Biomedical Engineering, dedicated specifically to the field.

Professor and inaugural Program Director Mark Borden (right) with a student in his lab.

Of course, there were other classes offered in various departments in the college where students could learn biomedical engineering principles. But without any real structure, faculty members realized they were starting to fall behind.

“We were hearing reports from the dean that students were choosing to go to other universities simply because we didn’t offer a degree in biomedical engineering,” Neu said. “The time was right. A lot of people came together from many different units and entities on campus to finally design a true program.”

The group’s program proposal was accepted by the CU Board of Regents in spring 2019.

In spring 2020, Professor Mark Borden was elected as the inaugural director and the program was launched. But the challenge ahead was immense. COVID shutdowns quickly tested the program’s early momentum.

Borden said a strong network of campus resources and key contributors helped keep the program on track.

“I was very lucky to have experienced people like Rob Davis in my corner. He volunteered his services as undergraduate chair early in the process and he helped solve so many problems,” said Borden. “Dean Keith Molenaar was also extremely helpful when he first started, too. He instituted a leadership program with outside consultants that really gave our program a voice and brought us together.”

Breaking ground

Despite its early obstacles, the newly established BME program welcomed roughly 20 total students—all of them transfers—during its first semester. That number surged to 122 students in fall 2020 with the help of the program's first undergraduate and graduate classes.

Students working together in a BME classroom.

Now, the program is home to nearly 466 students, including 396 undergraduates and 70 graduate students.

In addition to building the program, Borden said they also focused on building community and collaboration amongst the undergraduate cohort.

“We structured courses strategically so that students could easily get to know each other as they moved through our curriculum,” he said. “Then, we helped the students invigorate the Biomedical Engineering Society student chapter. They introduced a career symposium, built a peer mentorship program and helped lead programming and events throughout the academic year.”

New classes and opportunities were piloted nearly every semester with significant input from existing students in the program.

And finally, in spring 2023, Borden and his team turned to one final step: earning national accreditation.

“At that time, I was already looking to pass leadership to someone who can build off our foundation. However, I made a promise to our first graduating class that I would get the program accredited before I step down,” said Borden. “We got to work, received a strong review and were officially accredited in fall 2024.”

A maturing program

With his goal accomplished, Borden handed the program’s leadership to Neu. But the momentum and achievements continued to mount.

Today, the program matriculates over 100 students every year. Its undergraduate program ranks among the top 50 biomedical engineering programs in the nation, while its graduate program is ranked No. 21 among public universities, according to U.S. News & World Report.

A graduate student working in the Neu lab.

The program has also emerged as a leader in representation and inclusivity. Nearly 56% of BME’s students are women, a rare milestone for engineering programs.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the program’s growth, though, is its development of strong industry partnerships. Colorado features the highest concentration of biomedical-related jobs in the country, with over 90 companies based in the region.

Major companies like Terumo BCT and Medtronic, who recently entered a research agreement with the university, play an active role in the program. They support undergraduate senior design projects and collaborate with graduate researchers in university labs—something Neu says is crucial to student outcomes.

“We work with companies all around the state and even beyond. They advise us on our curriculum and help guide our direction forward,” Neu said. “These partnerships help us educate students optimally and they also help our students secure fantastic jobs and internships.”

He also believes expanding the program’s research enterprise is the key to unlocking its full potential.

Similar to the program’s healthy industry relationships, Neu’s goal is to unlock more research and educational opportunities with CU Anschutz, the University of Colorado system’s medical school.

“It’s important for our students to participate in clinical rotations and interface with medical doctors,” said Neu. “We’re not just trying to create excellent engineers—we want our engineers to be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with medical professionals, too.”

But most of all, Neu and his team remain focused on the program’s founding mission: cultivating the next generation of engineers capable of tackling the world’s most pressing health challenges.

When the first biomedical engineering class graduated from CU �鶹ӰԺ in 2023, about a dozen students walked across the stage. Today, that once-small start has evolved into a powerful engine for biomedical innovation and education. But how does a program go from modest beginnings to powerhouse in such a short time?

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BME students design leg sleeve for Team USA para-athletes

Alexander James Servantez — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 18:19:43 +0000

BME students design leg sleeve for Team USA para-athletes Alexander Jame… Mon, 03/09/2026 - 12:19

A team of BME students created a leg sleeve device designed to help para-athletes on Team USA. They will be debuting the novel design at a national competition in April.

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BME startup brings cancer care technology to LVC

Alexander James Servantez — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 21:59:38 +0000

BME startup brings cancer care technology to LVC Alexander Jame… Tue, 02/24/2026 - 14:59

Alexander Servantez

William Frantz didn’t walk away with the top prize at this year’s Lab Venture Challenge (LVC), but his research may still be a winner for future cancer patients.

Frantz, a PhD student in the Biomedical Engineering Program (BME) at CU �鶹ӰԺ, is developing microscopic droplets designed to help doctors track radiation therapy in real time. His finalist pitch at the 2025 LVC competition highlighted how the technology could one day make cancer treatment more precise and less harmful, particularly for pediatric patients.

“In the lab, we believe we have a great idea,” said Frantz. “Our research and spin-out is still in its early stages, but this could be something that has the potential to help a lot of people in the future.”

The work centers on what Frantz calls vaporizable exoskeletal droplets—microscopic droplets that can be injected into the body and used as ultrasound contrast agents.

William Frantz (right) working in the Borden Research Lab.

The tiny droplets are a staple in the Borden Research Lab because of their ability to vaporize into microbubbles and reflect ultrasound, improving imaging and therapeutic outcomes. However, Frantz’s research shows the droplets are capable of much more.

During a collaborative project with CU Anschutz, Frantz began modifying the exoskeletal droplets to respond to radiation. From there, a new startup—Radiosensitive VEDs—created alongside Professor Mark Borden was born.

The team began their journey right away, participating in university entrepreneurship and startup accelerator initiatives such as Catalyze CU and the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Fellowship Program (I&E). But Frantz says their participation in the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps program was what really helped the group build their venture.

“The program really encouraged us to do customer discovery interviews to find out exactly where our technology fits inside of a large field like radiation therapy,” Frantz said. “We started talking to medical physicists and they really helped guide our company’s research and thinking.”

Their findings helped narrow their focus to proton therapy. Typical radiation therapy involves x-rays or photon beams to blast cancer cells with radiation. However, these x-ray beams have a tendency to travel through a patient entirely, which can expose healthy tissue to radiation and increase the risk of side effects.

Proton therapy on the other hand, uses positively charged particles that behave differently once inside the body. Instead of passing completely through tissue like x-rays, protons can be calibrated to travel a specific distance and then stop, depositing most of their energy directly into the tumor site.

But according to Frantz, the increased precision that proton therapy offers still isn’t perfect.

“Imagine you’re trying to hit a tumor mass with a proton beam, but the patient lost weight between treatments, the tumor shifted, or their breathing patterns are causing the protons to travel a little too far or short than what was originally planned for,” said Frantz. “Not only are you missing the tumor site and irradiating healthy tissue, but you are also decreasing the amount of radiation delivered to the cancer cells and the benefit of proton therapy.”

Frantz during his finals pitch at the Lab Venture Challenge (LVC) competition.

That’s where Frantz and Borden’s research fits in. The modified exoskeletal droplets they have created can vaporize under proton radiation and form a microbubble. The team can track that bubble using ultrasound, measuring where the protons are stopping in real-time and verify that the therapy is being delivered as intended.

If proton radiation is deviating from its intended target, physicists and oncologists can stop and use this information to make fine-tuned adjustments to the proton beam or the overall treatment plan.

Frantz said this added layer of clarity will not only help them ensure the proton therapy is as effective as possible, but it will also help minimize healthy tissue exposure—something that’s especially important for children.

Frantz working in the Borden Research Lab.

“Proton therapy is gaining a lot of traction for pediatric cancer patients because they are extremely sensitive to the ill effects of radiation. Radiating their healthy tissue can lead to chronic lung and heart diseases and musculoskeletal issues. They can even develop cancer later in life,” Frantz said. “If we can make it even just a little bit more accurate, we can help decrease these risks of chronic health conditions and they can live a long healthy life.”

The team’s impactful research earned their startup a spot as a finalist in this year’s LVC community showcase. The competition, hosted by Venture Partners, allows top innovators across Colorado to compete for a combined $750,000 in startup funding grants for projects that address a commercial need, have a clear path to a compelling market and have strong scientific support.

Despite a strong pitch and a lot of public support, Frantz and Borden were not selected as winners of the competition. But Frantz said they learned a lot that they can use moving forward.

“It’s all about focusing on the business model,” said Frantz. “We have confidence that this can be used in the clinic. Now it’s about doing more customer discovery and market research. It’s about answering these big supply chain distribution and even administrative healthcare questions to show that we have an economically-viable product.”

He even said the competition helped him develop a new passion for the entrepreneurial process that he never thought he would have.

“My long-term goal has always been to become a professor,” Frantz said. “I still want to do that, but I can definitely see myself being involved in entrepreneurship, as well.”

Regardless of what path he chooses, the LVC hasn’t seen the last of Frantz and his team.

“We’re really grateful to CU Venture Partners and the I&E Fellowship for all of these opportunities,” said Frantz. “We’re going to try and roll with the punches this year. Maybe next year we’ll come back to LVC with a vengeance and secure some funding to continue pushing this technology towards the market."

PhD student William Frantz is developing microscopic droplets designed to help doctors track radiation therapy in real time. His finalist pitch at the 2025 LVC competition highlighted how the technology could one day make cancer treatment more precise and less harmful, particularly for pediatric patients.

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