Student Research and Lab Experiences
Barath Udayasuryan, a doctoral student in the Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, was named the Graduate School's 2022 College of Engineering Outstanding Doctoral Degree Student. He conducts research in the Laboratory of Integrative Tumor Ecology with faculty Scott Verbridge.
The above video is a project titled “BioTech Couture,” featured in the Institute of Creativity, Arts, and Technology’s Creativity + Innovation’s runway show. This transdisciplinary collaboration between biomedical engineer majors - Mariam Hasan and Leah Thomas - and industrial design majors integrated biosensor technology with high fashion, bridging the gap between art, science, and health technology. The project resulted in a collection of couture dresses with embedded biosensor technology, electroluminescence wire, and servo motors.
Cora Carman Esparza, a doctoral student in the Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, is the recipient of an international NSF award to continue her research in Spain. She conducts research in the Onco-Engineering Lab with faculty Jenny Munson.
Zerin Khan, a doctoral student in the Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, is motivated by the positive impact of her research. As a part of the Laboratory of Integrative Tumor Ecology with faculty Scott Verbridge, she hopes to help create better outcomes for patients diagnosed with Glioblastoma.
Julia Wakefield (above), an undergraduate majoring in biomedical engineering, found purpose in service and working with the local community. ENABLE, a club at Virginia Tech, gave Wakefield an outlet to create prosthetics for youth in need.
Michelle, featured in the above video, says she was drawn to biomedical engineering because she wanted to help others. Among all the programs she looked at, she chose Virginia Tech because it seemed like home for her.
When the pandemic hit, postdoc Vadlamani joined efforts to respond. He worked with biomedical engineering and mechanics graduate students to collect and set up 3D printers to manufacture face shield headpieces.
"NASA is planning to send the first woman to the moon in 2024, and the hope is that my research can help understand and design for human health performance on these future surface exploration missions," Grace Wusk said. She conducts research in the Center for Injury Biomechanics lab.
"I think what is done really well here is the collaborative environment," Sabah says. Learn more about his research, in the video posted above, for a great example of some of the collaboration we do here at BEAM.
"My father told me to run my own race," Jess says. Learn more about her story and her research (in Eli Vlaisavljevich's Lab) in the video posted above.
Engineering Students use EKG Electrodes to Examine Heartbeats. This technology uses electrodes placed on the body to measure the heart’s patterns of electrical activity. Chris Arena led the activity as a guest presenter.
"I am the first African-American female biomedical engineer Ph.D. at Virginia Tech," Michele says. Watch the video posted above to learn more about her.