Biomedical engineering research at UWM’s College of Engineering & Applied Science sits at the intersection of innovation, collaboration and real-world impact.
By combining engineering, biology and medicine, UWM researchers are working collaboratively to develop technologies and systems that address pressing healthcare challenges—from improving medical devices and diagnostics to advancing rehabilitation, imaging and intelligent health systems.
Faculty and students work closely with clinicians, industry partners and researchers across campus, ensuring discoveries are grounded in real clinical needs and move more quickly from the lab to practical use.
This research not only improves patient outcomes and quality of life, but also provides students with hands-on, meaningful experiences that prepare them to lead in the rapidly evolving biomedical field.
Biomedical Engineering Research Areas
Because the field is so interdisciplinary, our faculty and their research span a wide variety of specialties, giving you the opportunity to explore multiple directions and discover your passion. Here are some of our research focus areas:
Biomaterials
Biomechanics
Biorobotics
Cell and Tissue Engineering
Computational Biomedicine
Digital Health
Intelligent Assistive Devices
Medical Imaging
Medical Instrumentation
Rehabilitation Engineering
Biomedical Engineering Research Centers and Labs
The Advanced Mobility Biomechanics Lab at UW-Milwaukee, led by Jacob Rammer, develops and applies connected health technology to study mobility of people with disabilities and outcomes of clinical rehabilitation, with particular attention to underserved communities globally.
The Big Data Analytics and Visualization Lab, led by Zeyun Yu, is focused on developments of new computational approaches and software tools for various types of massive data processing, data mining and visualization using both knowledge-based and data-driven techniques.
The Biorobotics Lab, led by Mohammad Habibur Rahman, focuses on the design, development, and control of wearable robots that can rehabilitate and assist physically disabled individuals whose upper and lower extremities are impaired. These wearable robots are designed for the individual to use to rehabilitate and, ultimately, be able to leave the wearable robot behind.
The focus of the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (DSAIL), led by Susan McRoy, is to develop computational approaches that combine human expertise with data-analytic models to solve complex problems, such as improving health outcomes.
In the Mechanobiology and Vascular Biomechanics Lab, led by Mahsa Dabagh, graduate and undergraduate students use biology, mathematics, mechanics, biomaterials, and fluid dynamics to answer key questions about human diseases. We develop innovative prevention and treatment plans for cancer and cardiovascular diseases, which are tightly interconnected.
The Bone Lab, led by Priya Premnath, is comprised of engineers, chemists, and biologists aiming to create innovative solutions in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
As an R1 research institution, research is integral to our work at UWM and to the experience of students pursuing graduate degrees. Our college has a wide range of faculty-led labs that perform cutting edge research. Full list of our college’s research labs, centers and institutes.
Funding Partners
UWM is one of only two R1 research universities in Wisconsin, and the only one in Southeast Wisconsin. We’re also a top externally funded institution with robust opportunities for teaching and research assistantships. Partners that support our research include:
Department of Energy (DOE)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
National Institute for Health (NIH)
National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
United States Air Force (USAF)
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
United States Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA)
Regional and national businesses
Undergraduate Research
As an R1 university, research is a significant focus of what we do. Undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to get involved in research. Undergraduate students can reach out to the UWM Office of Undergraduate Research regarding research opportunities, or contact individual faculty directly.
Poster Competition & Three Minute Thesis
Graduate and undergraduate students have the opportunity to participate in the annual Poster Competition & Three Minute Thesis, a signature event for our college. Students gain valuable experience working with faculty researchers and are invited to share their work with judges from industry, who provide feedback.
Mahsa Dabagh, associate professor, biomedical engineering, helps senior Miles Wehner decode slices of 3D tumor scans by labeling the visual features that indicate cancer. The two are now automating this time-consuming chore.
