Department of Bioengineering Annual Report 2023-2024
Shaping the Future:
Department of Bioengineering
Annual Report
2023 - 2024
Dear Bioengineering Community,
As we reflect on another remarkable year, we are proud to share the progress and achievements that continue to define our department. Our commitment to academic excellence, programmatic growth, and research innovation remains unwavering.
None of this progress would be possible without the generous support of our alumni, friends, and partners. As we look to the future, we invite you to continue supporting our mission. Your contributions enable us to invest in initiatives that will transform the student experience, drive world-changing research, and promote equity and social justice in engineering education and research.
Thank you for being an essential part of our journey.
Warm regards,
Mark A. Anastasio
Department Head
Donald Bigger Willett Professor in Engineering
$1 Million
Research expenditures per tenure-track faculty
$15.3 Million
Total research expenditures
Top 20
In both undergraduate and graduate programs, as ranked by U.S. News and World Report
Undergraduate Programs
This year, we welcomed our largest cohort of bioengineering undergraduates, reflecting the remarkable growth of our BIOE-BS program. A key highlight is the launch of our new CS + Bioengineering major, which provides cutting-edge education at the intersection of bioengineering and computing. This innovative program equips students with the skills to lead advancements in both fields, positioning them at the forefront of health and technology. Alongside our pioneering neural engineering degree—the first of its kind in the nation—these programs are setting a new benchmark for excellence in bioengineering education and preparing future leaders to solve the most critical challenges of our time.
Our First in the Nation Neural Engineering Program
At the University of Illinois we aren't just on the cutting edge; we're forging new ground. Our Neural Engineering undergraduate program is the very first of its kind. We're training the next generation of innovators in this still-developing field.
Our Innovative Blended Computer Science + Bioengineering Program
Bioengineering is at the forefront of a big data revolution, and we’re committed to equipping our students with the cutting-edge tools they need to lead the charge. That’s why the Department of Engineering is thrilled to present our CS+BIOE program—a groundbreaking curriculum where students can master the essential skills of tomorrow, from artificial intelligence and computational modeling to the creation of innovative mobile applications. Dive into hands-on training that prepares you to excel in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Research
Our research enterprise continues to thrive, with expenditures reaching an impressive $1 million per tenure-track faculty member. We are also celebrating two major ARPA-H awards that have placed our department at the forefront of cancer treatment innovation. Dr. Stephen Boppart is leading a $33 million project in partnership with Mayo Clinic to advance real-time imaging and AI tools for more precise tumor removal during surgery. Dr. Rohit Bhargava is co-leading a $21 million initiative to revolutionize cancer research and personalized medicine by integrating advanced chemical imaging, AI, and robotics to develop a rapid manufacturing platform for 3D tumor models.
Tumor removal done right, the first time: An up to $33 million ARPA-H award to bring a new standard of care for precision in surgical interventions
Bioengineering professor Dr. Stephen Boppart is spearheading a groundbreaking project which has been awarded $33 million from ARPA-H. In partnership with Mayo Clinic, the Margin Diagnostics (MarginDx) initiative aims to revolutionize cancer surgery by using advanced imaging and AI to ensure tumors are fully removed in real time. Under Dr. Boppart’s leadership, this interdisciplinary effort is poised to dramatically improve surgical outcomes and set new standards in precision medicine.
New AI model draws treasure maps to diagnose disease
- News
- March 13, 2024
Xing Wang and team develop new method of COVID prevention
- News
- February 27, 2024
ARPA-H project to pioneer rapid manufacturing of tumor models
Dr. Rohit Bhargava, Grainger Distinguished Chair in Bioengineering and Director of the Cancer Center at Illinois, is co-leading a $21 million ARPA-H project with Dr. Bill King to transform cancer research. This groundbreaking initiative will integrate advanced chemical imaging with AI and robotics to automate the production of 3D tumor models. By enabling scalable and precise manufacturing, the project aims to make these models widely available for research and personalized medicine, marking a significant advancement in the fight against cancer.
Microbial division of labor produces higher biofuel yields
- News
- February 6, 2024
Hacking cell communication: researchers develop promising cancer vaccine
- News
- December 21, 2023
Bhargava lab reaches milestone in infrared microscope development
- News
- December 13, 2023
$74,353
Average salary of a '23 Bioengineering Graduate
98%
Bioengineering graduates went to their first choice destination after graduating
517
BS Students
202
MS/M.Eng./Ph.D. students
80%
Undergraduate enrollment growth since 2018-2019
56%
Women in undergraduate class
24
Tenure track faculty
6
Teaching faculty
7
Research faculty
86
Undergraduate degrees awarded in 2022-2023
39
Graduate degrees awarded in 2023-2024
Department Honors
We are proud of our faculty’s achievements and their ongoing contributions to advancing the field of bioengineering. This year, Dean Rashid Bashir was elected to the National Academy of Medicine, a rare honor for an engineer. Professor Rohit Bhargava was named the Grainger Distinguished Chair in Engineering, and professor Mark Anastasio was honored to join the 2024 class of IEEE Fellows. These prestigious recognitions underscore our department’s leadership in national and international efforts to address the world’s most critical health challenges.
Rashid Bashir elected to National Academy of Medicine
Rashid Bashir, dean of The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, was elected to the National Academy of Medicine.
Professor Mark Anastasio elevated to IEEE Fellow
Bioengineering department head Mark Anastasio has been elevated to IEEE Fellow for his impactful contributions to the field of computational imaging. This prestigious honor is a testament to Anastasio’s dedication and groundbreaking work in medical imaging technologies.
Alumni Spotlight
Our alumni network continues to thrive, with graduates driving innovation across industries and research institutions. This year, we are particularly proud to spotlight M.S. graduate Kodchakorn (Sydney) Khemtonglang, and Ph.D. graduate Janet Sorrells.
Noah Simon, B.S., 2020
"During my time in Bioengineering at Illinois, I really enjoyed learning from and working with a diverse group of faculty, which helped me gain experience in a wide variety of bioengineering areas. I was always extremely interested in the therapeutics field and genetic engineering coursework. Currently, I am working as a Senior Quality Control Analyst at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in the Clinical Vector Core department, which manufactures gene therapies. My department even manufactured Phase I Kymriah, the first FDA approved CAR-T cell therapy!"
Kodchakorn (Sydney)
Khemtonglang, M.S., 2024
"The Department of Bioengineering at Illinois provides exceptional resources that have enabled me to conduct my research seamlessly. Expert faculty offer invaluable guidance, while the warm and welcoming student community has been a source of friendship and shared joy. During challenging times, these strong support systems have empowered me to persevere and succeed, making my experience in Bioengineering truly enriching." Sydney will join the department of Materials Science and Engineering at the National University of Singapore as a Ph.D. student this fall.
Janet Sorrells, Ph.D., 2024
Bioengineering Partners
The department has always taken pride in our interdisciplinary research. We are particularly proud of our partnerships with the Carle Illinois College of Medicine and the Cancer Center of Illinois, where we are on the front lines of the newest cancer research and biomedical technology.
Carle Illinois College of Medicine
The first steps towards the Carle Illinois College of Medicine (CI MED) officially came in 2014, when leaders from UIUC and Carle Health Systems recognized the need for a new kind of medical education. They visualized the world’s first engineering-based medical school, where students would receive an education that could combine traditional medical training with engineering and technology, with the potential to produce a new generation of physician-innovators.
CI MED and the Department of Bioengineering share a commitment to improving the future of healthcare; to making medical advancements more accessible, more functional, and more impactful, all while promoting the increasingly important union of engineering and health care. It’s a partnership that promises to leave a mark on not only Illinois, but the world beyond.
Cancer Center at Illinois
The Cancer Center at Illinois (CCIL) began in 2011 as the Cancer Community, led by current CCIL Director and bioengineering professor Rohit Bhargava. The community consisted of over 50 Illinois faculty and several prominent bioengineering researchers, including professors Rashid Bashir, Stephen Boppart, Joseph Irudayaraj, and Michael Insana. This group saw the critical importance of developing a space to focus on cancer research, and worked toward that goal by organizing regular events and promoting interactions between faculty through symposiums, workshops, research groups, and more.
The faculty and research overlap between the Department of Bioengineering and CCIL represents a mutual passion for exceptional research and the promotion of human health, with a bright future of shared, boundary-breaking medical innovation.
Department News
News | July 29, 2024
Bioengineering researchers selected for inaugural Biohub Cohort
Bioengineering faculty among the inaugural group selected to participate in the prestigious Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago Investigators, which focuses on immunology, inflammation, and other critical issues.
Department of bioengineering welcomes seven new faculty members
- News
- February 5, 2024
Beckman Institute welcomes new ultra-high-performance PET-CT scanner
- News
- January 31, 2024
Toy design class connects campus and community
- News
- January 29, 2024
Illinois faculty serve on the 2023 Coulter College Program's leadership team
- News
- September 11, 2023
Undergraduate Program News
2023 SURF participants conclude their ten weeks with Mayo Clinic
This summer, eight bioengineering undergraduates had the chance to participate in the Mayo Clinic's Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program. Now that the program is over, students had an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on their experiences.
Graduate Program News
PhD student Jongwon Lim is SLAS Innovation Award winner
Bioengineering PhD student Jongwon Lim recently received the 2024 SLAS Innovation Award, which recognizes outstanding achievements in the development of technologies with significant impact on laboratory automation, screening, and drug discovery.
Four students receive Beckman Institute Graduate Scholarships
Four students received Beckman’s newest scholarship for graduate researchers, including bioengineering students Isabelle Guerra and Jimoh Igbalaye.
Student spotlight: Mia Takekawa
Mia Takekawa, a bioengineering M.Eng. student and standout gymnast, has expertly balanced the demands of competitive sports and engineering throughout her time at Illinois. With multiple perfect 10s on the balance beam and a strong support system from both athletics and engineering, Takekawa credits Illinois for shaping her passions and future.
3
Undergraduate degree options:
- Bioengineering
- CS + BIOE
- Neural Engineering
4
Graduate degree options:
- PhD in Bioengineering
- MS in Bioengineering
- MS in Biomedical Image Computing
- Master of Engineering in Bioengineering
1
Certificate program:
- AI in Medicine
Donate to the Bioengineering Priority Fund
Your gift to the Bioengineering Priority Fund provides vital support that allows the Department of Bioengineering to strategically invest in critical initiatives that will transform the student experience and drive world-changing research.
For more information, contact: engineering-alumni@illinois.edu (217) 244-2364
Mail your gift to: University of Illinois Foundation P.O. Box 734500 Chicago, IL 60673-4500
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