Bridging engineering and medicine to better human health.
Biomedical engineering is a bridge connecting engineering and the physical sciences with biology and medicine. We explore the behavior of physiological systems and design effective new biomedical devices and therapies, enhancing life and our understanding of its potential.
Our Programs
Biomedical engineering combines engineering with medical sciences to improve healthcare. Our programs are ideal for those driven to innovate in medical devices, diagnostics, and treatment technologies.
Strategic Research Areas
-
![Two students in white lab coats and protective goggles examine a piece of equipment in the biomechanics lab]()
Biomechanics and Mechanobiology
Investigating mechanical forces in physiological and disease processes.
-
![Professor Nozomi Nishimura conducts an experiment as green light reflects off her in the Schaffer-Nishimura lab.]()
Biomedical Imaging and Instrumentation
Developing imaging technologies and instruments.
-
![scanning electron microscope of outer membrane vesicles used for drug delivery]()
Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine
Designing systems to deliver medicines and measure their effects.
-
![Fischbach-primary osteoclasts on glass]()
Molecular and Cellular Engineering
Applying engineering to cell and molecular biology approaches to identify novel disease therapies.
-
![Undergraduate students work together in lab with computers and calculators]()
Engineering Education Research
Studying education systems to define, inform and improve the education of engineers.
-
![Systems and Synthetic Biology imaging of human heart De Vlaminck Lab]()
Systems and Synthetic Biology
Integrating experimental, modeling, and engineering approaches to dissect complex cellular phenomena at the network-scale.
-
![3d printed heart valve in glass petri dish in gloved hand.]()
Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials
Developing strategies for tissue recreation and modeling systems for research or drug testing.
News Highlights
-
![]()
Cornell student campaign for research support reaches 50 states
In a nationwide campaign led by Cornell students, more than 500 scientists have committed to writing letters and op-eds in their hometown newspapers across all 50 states – each one a personal appeal on why public investment in research matters.
-
![Iwijn De Vlaminck, left, and Hao Shi of Kanvas Biosciences at the McGovern Family Center for Venture Development in the Life Sciences.]()
Kanvas Biosciences harnesses the power of the microbiome
Company was launched through the Center for Life Science Ventures with technology licensed through the Center for Technology Licensing.
-
![RNA code]()
‘Stealthy’ lipid nanoparticles give mRNA vaccines a makeover
A new material developed at Cornell could significantly improve the delivery and effectiveness of mRNA vaccines – used to fight COVID-19 – by replacing a commonly used ingredient that may trigger unwanted immune responses in some people.
-
![Researchers used two-photon microscopy to image pyramidal tract neurons and discovered this cell type is essential for psilocybin’s long-term behavioral effects.]()
Hitting the target: Imaging reveals psilocybin’s neural odyssey
Cornell researchers have identified a pair of key neurological mechanisms in the brain – a cell type and receptor – that enable the psychedelic compound’s long-lasting effects.
