Department of Bioengineering Annual Report 2024-2025
Celebrating 20 Years:
Department of Bioengineering
Annual Report 2024-2025
Department Head Address
Dear Bioengineering Community,
This past year marked a milestone in the history of the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: our 20th anniversary. What began in 2004 as a bold interdisciplinary vision has grown into a nationally recognized department driving innovation across medicine, biology, and engineering.
As we reflect on two decades of progress, we celebrate not only the discoveries and advancements that have defined our past, but also the momentum that propels us into the future. Our faculty, students, alumni, and partners continue to shape the frontiers of human health, through both research that addresses today’s most urgent biomedical challenges and through educational programs that prepare the next generation of leaders in the field.
The achievements highlighted in this report represent the shared ambition, creativity, and commitment of our entire community. From groundbreaking research and rising national recognition to inspiring student initiatives and new academic programs, these milestones underscore the department’s continued growth and momentum. As we look forward, we are especially grateful for the faculty, students, alumni, and partners who have shaped our journey so far. With their continued engagement and support, we are well-positioned to build on this legacy and lead the next era of innovation in bioengineering.
Warm regards,
Mark A. Anastasio
Department Head
Donald Bigger Willett Professor in Engineering
$1M
Research expenditures
per tenure-track faculty
$18.7M
Total research expenditures,
up 22% from last fiscal year
Top 20
Undergraduate and graduate programs,
as ranked by U.S. News and World Report
Undergraduate Programs
Our three undergraduate degree programs have continued to grow and attract top-performing students, a testament to our department’s commitment to delivering education at the intersection of engineering, science, and medicine. This past year we saw the largest cohort of bioengineering students to date enroll, with additional strong yields in Neural Engineering and Computer Science + Bioengineering. These programs draw students with wide-ranging interests in human health, medicine, and engineering, and we are preparing them to tackle the complex challenges ahead in healthcare, biology, and computation. As we step into the future, we remain deeply committed to the undergraduate students and academic programs that are shaping the future of bioengineering.
Our First in the Nation Neural Engineering Program
Illinois continues to lead the way in shaping the future of neurotechnology. As the first undergraduate program in Neural Engineering in the nation, our degree offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students to explore how the brain interfaces with machines, therapies, and computation. Now in its third year, the program is drawing students interested in combining neuroscience, bioinstrumentation, and systems engineering to push the boundaries of what’s possible in brain-computer interfaces, neural prosthetics, and cognitive health technologies.
Our Innovative Blended Computer Science + Bioengineering Program
Our Computer Science + Bioengineering degree offers students a foundation at the intersection of computational thinking and human health. As we welcome our second cohort this year, students will deepen their understanding of both disciplines. Students will apply algorithms and perform data analysis and modeling to solve complex challenges in areas like biomedical imaging, diagnostics, and bioinformatics. This integrated approach prepares them to contribute meaningfully to research, medicine, and health technology. We look forward to another exciting year ahead as these students bring fresh ideas and energy to work that will shape the future of healthcare and biomedical discovery.
Bioengineering at Illinois
Takes on Cancer
At the Department of Bioengineering, cancer is a critical focus. From cutting edge research on imaging and drug delivery to our partnerships with the Cancer Center at Illinois at Carle Illinois College of Medicine, our focus is on catching, slowing, and defeating this devastating disease. See some of the ways our department has been leading the fight on cancer below.
FIGHTING CANCER
with engineering
The University of Illinois Grainger Engineering is pioneering innovative approaches to combat cancer through advanced engineering principles and interdisciplinary collaboration. In 2024, Grainger researchers received two prestigious ARPA-H grants totaling $54 million to develop transformative solutions for cancer treatment. Professor Stephen Boppart’s Margin Diagnostics project aims to enhance cancer surgery outcomes using AI-powered imaging, while Professor Bill King’s MASCOT initiative focuses on creating uniform 3D tumor models for individualized treatment research. These efforts, bolstered by partnerships across campus and with leading clinical institutions, underscore Illinois’ commitment to accelerating cancer research and delivering impactful healthcare solutions.
CCIL Seed Grant Supports Study of Drug Resistance in Cancer Therapy
- News
- February 18, 2025
Susan Leggett Builds Tumors on Chips
- News
- January 21, 2025
Research
Research is at the heart of our mission in the Department of Bioengineering. Over the past 20 years, our faculty and students have pushed the boundaries of knowledge, developing new tools and technologies that are transforming medicine and human health. This year, our research portfolio expanded in both scale and scope; from ambitious federal grants and high-impact publications to groundbreaking advances in imaging, gene editing, drug delivery, and more.
PFAS found in nearly all fish tested from four northern Illinois rivers
Scientists tested nine fish species from four northern Illinois rivers for contamination with per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances, synthetic chemicals found in numerous industrial and commercial products and known to be harmful to human health. They found fish contaminated with PFAS in every one of their 15 test sites. Elevated levels of PFOS, one type of PFAS compound, were found in nearly all fish tested. The qualities that make PFAS desirable for industrial uses also make these chemicals particularly problematic in the environment and hazardous to human and animal health, said Joseph Irudayaraj, a professor of bioengineering at Illinois who led the new study.
$75K+
Average salary of a '24 Bioengineering Graduate
98%
Bioengineering graduates secured first choice destination
576
B.S. Students
204
M.S./M.Eng./Ph.D. students
100%
Undergraduate enrollment growth since 2018-2019
56%
Women in undergraduate class
23
Tenure track faculty
6
Teaching faculty
7
Research faculty
75
Undergraduate degrees awarded in 2023-2024
61
Graduate degrees awarded in 2023-2024
Bioengineering professors pioneer new methods in microscope technology
- News
- November 11, 2024
Reducing RAGE for better health
- News
- June 21, 2024
Minecraft Players Can Now Explore Whole Cells and Their Contents
- News
- February 10, 2025
Shuming Nie Uses Nanoparticles for Treatment Solutions
- News
- January 29, 2025
Department Honors
We are proud to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of our faculty and their continued leadership in the field of bioengineering. Professor Shuming Nie surpassed 100,000 career citations, marking a milestone that reflects decades of influential contributions to nanomedicine and imaging. Dean Rashid Bashir was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation’s most prestigious honorary societies. Professor Rohit Bhargava was inducted as a Fellow of the Biomedical Engineering Society, while professor Stephen Boppart was named Director of the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute. These honors highlight the exceptional impact and dedication of our faculty.
Bioengineering Professor Shuming Nie Reaches 100,000 Academic Citations
Bioengineering professor Shuming Nie has reached an extraordinary milestone—his work has now been cited over 100,000 times, making him one of the most influential researchers in his field. Two of his landmark papers—from 1997 on detecting single molecules with surface-enhanced Raman scattering and from 1998 on fluorescent quantum dots—have each been cited more than 10,000 times, a feat achieved by fewer than 0.01% of scientific publications. Nie credits this success to a mix of “serendipity” and rigorous preparation.
Bioengineering Professor Rohit Bhargava Inducted as BMES Fellow
- News
- January 9, 2025
Professor Brad Sutton named an ISMRM Fellow
- News
- July 20, 2024
Bashir elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- News
- April 29, 2024
Bioengineering Department Head Mark Anastasio Receives IEEE EMBS Morlock Award
Bioengineering Department Head Mark Anastasio has been awarded the William J. Morlock Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS), one of the most prestigious honors presented by that group. This award recognizes the depth of Anastasio’s contributions to the medical imaging community, particularly at the intersection of artificial intelligence and imaging. He has consistently been on the cutting edge of novel imaging modalities and developing innovative ways to analyze data, improving accuracy, imaging speed, and accessibility. “I am honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Anastasio. “It is always gratifying to be recognized by colleagues that I respect highly.”
Alumni Spotlight
Our department continues to produce impressive alumni, with students taking leadership positions in industry and academia. This year, we are excited to highlight Brendan O'Rourke, Hannah Kimmel, and Catherine Applegate.
Brendan O'Rourke, B.S. 2025
"The Department of Bioengineering at Illinois facilitated my growth both as an engineer and as a person. I learned how to turn my ideas into something tangible, and how to share my passions with those around me. The department's holistic approach to engineering provided me with hands-on skills that I couldn't find anywhere else. Currently, I'm pursuing my master's thesis at Northwestern University through the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab. Our research aims to restore the feeling of touch & proprioception to amputees through revolutionary neural prosthetics. Much of our work involves interacting directly with patients. The Department of Bioengineering's collaborations with the Carle Illinois College of Medicine provided me with the skills necessary to strive for excellence in research & clinical settings."
Hannah Kimmel, Ph.D. 2025
"I chose the Bioengineering PhD program at Illinois for its collaborative approach to research, emphasis on interdisciplinary teams, great resources, and passionate faculty. During my PhD studies, I was fortunate to have a strong support system not only from my advisor and lab, but also my fellow graduate students and other faculty members. I was able to take advantage of many opportunities to expand my horizons beyond my research in the lab, including the Mavis Future Faculty Fellowship and Tissue Microenvironment Training Program. The resources available to graduate students were truly top notch and the staff at IGB and Beckman were incredibly helpful and patient with me." Hannah Kimmel is an assistant professor in biology and biomedical engineering at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Catherine Applegate, Ph.D., Postdoc, 2025
Bioengineering Partners
The Department of Bioengineering has long been a driving force behind interdisciplinary collaboration at Illinois. Two of the university’s most ambitious biomedical initiatives—the Carle Illinois College of Medicine and the Cancer Center at Illinois—grew directly from the vision and leadership of our faculty. Today, these partners remain closely connected to our department, serving as hubs for transformative research, clinical translation, and education. Our collaboration ensures that engineering remains at the core of efforts to revolutionize healthcare and improve patient outcomes.
Carle Illinois College of Medicine
Carle Illinois College of Medicine — the world’s first engineering-based college of medicine — was born out of The Grainger College of Engineering. It embodies a visionary collaboration with the Department of Bioengineering, fundamentally re-engineering medicine by integrating engineering, AI, design thinking and clinical practice into a problem-solving curriculum. Carle Illinois earned full accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) in March 2025, affirming the excellence of its pioneering model and securing its future as a transformative force in health education. Carle Illinois has also emerged as a global leader in innovation and medical education through the launch of the Global Consortium of Innovation and Engineering in Medicine. In just one year, more than 36 universities joined the consortium, and in April 2025, CI MED hosted its inaugural Global Summit, drawing over 500 participants worldwide. The event highlighted bold ideas and student-led innovations, with CI MED teams earning top honors on the global stage.
Cancer Center at Illinois
The Cancer Center at Illinois (CCIL) began in 2011 when bioengineering professor Rohit Bhargava and a community of researchers envisioned becoming a cancer research powerhouse. From there, the CCIL has grown into a nationally recognized basic sciences research institution that pushes forward the frontiers of cancer research. Recently, the CCIL submitted a Cancer Center Support Grant to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to become an NCI-Designated Cancer Center. Of the 73 designated cancer centers nationwide, only seven are basic science laboratories, and the CCIL is seeking to become the first center since 1987 to earn this accreditation. Bhargava, now the Phillip and Ann Sharp Director of the CCIL, said, “The department inspired us to form the CCIL. We are now poised to lead a national movement at the convergence of engineering and oncology, and the CCIL has applied to become the first NCI-Designated Basic Laboratory Cancer Center focused on engineering. We anticipate that the approach pioneered by Illinois Bioengineering and the CCIL will lead to a pipeline of innovations that seek to save and improve the lives of those affected by cancer.”
Undergraduate Program News
First-Generation Scholars Research Program provides research experience and more
First-generation student Andy Granados overcame his freshman-year jitters by joining Illinois' First-Generation Scholars Research Program, where he now works with bioengineering professor Holly Golecki to build soft robotic organ models for STEM outreach. Granados is designing a squishy heart model powered by McKibben muscle actuators that pumps fluids at realistic rates, helping grade-schoolers explore bioengineering concepts. Funded by the Office of Undergraduate Research, the Jeffries Center, and the Provost’s Office, FGSRP gives federal work-study eligible first-gen students mentored research experiences and a supportive community.
Graduate Professional Programs
The graduate professional programs in Bioengineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are preparing the next generation of industry leaders. Housed within the Department of Bioengineering and rooted in The Grainger College of Engineering—internationally recognized for its excellence in teaching and research—our programs offer a rigorous and dynamic opportunity for career advancement in the rapidly evolving field of bioengineering.
Engineering Health. Advancing Careers.
Master of Engineering in Bioengineering
Designed for engineers and scientists seeking careers in the health care industry, this one-year professional master’s program prepares students to become industry leaders. The curriculum blends rigorous engineering coursework with foundational business skills. Graduates are driving innovation across health-related industries using a unique combination of bioengineering and business perspectives. With concentrations in Bioinstrumentation and General Bioengineering, the program is offered both in-person and online.
Master of Science in Biomedical Image Computing
Biomedical image computing is a fast-growing, interdisciplinary field focused on the formation and analysis of biomedical images and the development of imaging systems using computational and data-driven methods. With rapid advances in AI and computing, there is increasing demand for professionals skilled in imaging, high-performance computing, and AI. The Master of Science in Biomedical Image Computing, offered in-person and online, provides focused training at this exciting intersection.
Graduate Program News
Bioengineering M.S. Student Revolutionizes Healthcare Accessibility
- News
- October 10, 2024
A New Wave of Research in Graduate Education
- News
- October 3, 2024
3 Undergraduate Degree Programs
- Bioengineering
- Neural Engineering
- CS+BioE
4 Graduate
Degree Programs
- PhD in Bioengineering
- MS in Bioengineering
- MS in Biomedical Image Computing
- Master of Engineering in Bioengineering
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 Advancement
engineering-alumni@illinois.edu,
(217) 244-2364
Mail your gift to:
University of Illinois Foundation
P.O. Box 734500
Chicago, IL 60673-4500