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Carlos Aguilar
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Tim Bruns
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Cindy Chestek
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Tae-Hwa Chun
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Sharon Glotzer
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Colin Greineder
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Toshiro Hara
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Jan Hu
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Evan Keller
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Jinsang Kim
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Nicholas Kotov
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Joerg Lahann
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Ron Larson
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Somin Lee
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Scott Lempka
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Sasha Cai Lesher-Pérez
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Isabelle Lombaert
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Kathryn Luker
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James Moon
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Sunitha Nagrath
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Deepak Nagrath
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Enrico Opri
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Tony Rosenzweig
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Steven Schwendeman
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Anna Schwendeman
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Lonnie Shea
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Michael Solomon
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William Stacey
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Peter Tessier
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Anish Tuteja
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Scott VanEpps
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James Weiland
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Max Wicha
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Matthew Willsey
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Guizhi (Julian) Zhu
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35 research groups comprised of more than 450 high-profile scientists
BI researchers are taking a close look at biointerfaces: the critical junctures between living cells and other surfaces, with the goal of developing new technologies for understanding, diagnosing, and treating diseases. Researchers are aided in their efforts by another equally critical type of interface – daily, face-to- face interactions with colleagues from other disciplines – to break through scientific silos, spur collaborations and drive innovation.
Administrative Team
Meet Our Researchers
Affiliate BI Members
Matthew Willsey
Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery and Biomedical Engineering Research Focus: Neural Engineering Contact Information:mwillsey@umich.eduThe Willsey lab focuses on intracortical brain-computer interfaces (iBCIs) as a potential therapy for paralysis. They aim to help develop an entry-level iBCI system for paralyzed human patients to address needs that cannot be met by today’s assistive technologies. Their research focuses on developing multi-effector control for fine motor movements and digital interfaces using non-linear decoding algorithms and novel approaches to expand functionality and account for neural instability.
Jan Hu
Samuel D Harris Collegiate Professor of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Chair, Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences & Prosthodontics (BMSP) Samuel D Harris Collegiate Professor of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Chair, Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences & Prosthodontics (BMSP) Research Focus: Cell and Tissue Engineering Contact Information:janhu@umich.eduThe Simmer Hu laboratory studies tooth development, focusing on the human genetics of developmental defects of the dentition and using gene edited mouse models to understand how proteins encoded by genes function during normal tooth development and how their mutations lead to failures in such process. The ultimate goal of our research is to apply scientific discoveries toward devising therapeutic measures for human disorders and diseases involving teeth.
The Simmer Hu lab played important parts in the first cloning of cDNA encoding enamelin (Enam), matrix metallowproteinase 20 (Mmp20) and kallikrein 4 (Klk4), and in the initial discoveries that MMP20, ITGB6, RELT, and FAM83H defects cause isolated amelogenesis imperfecta and that defects in FAM20A cause Enamel Renal Syndrome. These studies have greatly advanced our understanding of normal tooth development and associated disorders, leading to improvements in their diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention.
Ruby recently completed her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Michigan. Her research background is in protein engineering research. Additionally, she earned a Science, Technology, and Public Policy Certificate from the Ford School of Public Policy.
Sasha Cai Lesher-Pérez
Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering and Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering Research Focus: Cell and Tissue Engineering Contact Information:sashacai@umich.eduThe Lesher-Pérez lab is interested in how the dynamics of biomolecules, such as hormones, circulating through our body impact human health and disease.
Their mission is to develop technologies and strategies to understand, parametrize, and treat the impacts of biomolecular rhythm dysregulation in humans.
Toshiro Hara
Assistant Professor, Neurosurgery Research Focus: BioInnovations in Brain Cancer Contact Information:hara@umich.eduThe Hara laboratory is focused on the study of understanding the intratumoral heterogeneity as well as the mechanisms of cellular communication within this intratumoral microenvironment as it relates to glioblastoma. We work at the intersection of human biology, model system, and single-cell genomics to understand how cells interact and communicate with their surrounding environment and how cells process environmental inputs to exert functions relevant to the malignant properties of glioblastoma.
Tony Rosenzweig
Professor of Internal Medicine and Center Director of the MM Institute for Heart & Brain Health, Medical School Research Focus: Cell and Tissue Engineering, Single Cell Technologies Contact Information:anthros@umich.eduResearch interests have focused on identifying new mechanisms and targets in heart failure, with a particular interest in noncoding RNA pathways. The lab has had a longstanding interest in understanding how exercise protects against cardiovascular disease and how this interacts with aging. We have a growing interest in heart-brain connections – understanding common pathways and cross-talk between these organs – and leveraging those insights for novel therapies.
Guizhi (Julian) Zhu
Ara G. Paul Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Science Research Focus: BioInnovations in Brain Cancer Contact Information:guizhiz@umich.eduThe Zhu lab is focused on the development of nucleic acid therapeutics and vaccines for cancer and immune disorders.
Shelly provides internal and external communications support for BI. She also assists with establishing and reporting key performance indicators and metrics. Shelly holds a B.S. and M.B.A. with a Business Analytics specialization from Eastern Michigan University.
Frankie provides high-level, administrative support for the research- and operational-related activities at BI. She has over 25 years of experience in executive administrative roles.
Enrico Opri
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering Research Focus: Neural Engineering Contact Information:eopri@umich.eduThe Opri research lab focuses on the exploration of the neurophysiological activity in the basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuits in humans affected by neurological disorders (such as Parkinson’s, Tourette, Essential Tremor, Epilepsy), while investigating how neuromodulation (Deep Brain Stimulation, cortical stimulation mapping) alters these networks to bring a therapeutic benefit. Our goal is to engineer novel methodologies for the automatization and enhancement of clinical procedures in the field of neuromodulation.
Kathryn Luker
Associate Research Scientist of Radiology Research Focus: Single Cell Technologies, Cell and Tissue Engineering Contact Information:kluker@umich.eduThe Luker lab combines innovative optical imaging with computational modeling to discover how single-cell signaling in the tumor microenvironment regulates breast cancer progression and response to therapy.
Dr. Peters oversees institute administration, operations, and is in charge of implementing research initiatives. Prior to joining BI, she was the business and operations manager for the TRAILS program at the University of Michigan. She holds a Ph.D. in molecular biology from the Medical College of Ohio, Toledo University.
Karl Olsen
Safety Manager Research Focus: BioInnovations in Brain Cancer Contact Information:olsenk@umich.eduKarl oversees laboratory safety operations and serves as the primary liaison between BI research groups and the UM Environmental Health and Safety department.
Sarah manages the Nanotechnicum and other shared instruments at BI. She holds a PhD in Macromolecular Science and Engineering from UM.
Colin Greineder
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pharmacology Research Focus: Nanotechnology Contact Information:coling@umich.eduResearch Interest: Affinity Ligand Drug Targeting
Max Wicha
Madeline and Sidney Forbes Professor of Oncology; Professor of Internal Medicine Research Focus: Single Cell Technologies, Cell and Tissue Engineering Contact Information:mwicha@umich.eduWicha researchers study the biology of stem cells in the normal mammary gland and breast cancers by isolating and characterizing normal and malignant mammary stem cells and the changes in these key cells during carcinogenesis.
Dr. Lahann was appointed Director of the Biointerfaces Institute in 2012. He is also a Professor of Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Macromolecular Science and Engineering.
Research in the Lahann Lab focuses on surface engineering, advanced polymers, biomimetic materials, engineered stem cell microenvironments, drug delivery, and nano-scale self-assembly.
James Weiland
Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Research Focus: Neural Engineering Contact Information:weiland@umich.eduThe mission of Dr. Weiland and the BioElectronic Vision Lab (BEVL) is to create and translate technological solutions for visual dysfunction. We investigate the fundamental mechanisms through which implantable and wearable electronic systems interact with the visual system and other sensory modalities, and the long term consequences of such systems on the functional and anatomical organization of the visual system. Based on this understanding, we create and optimize medical devices designed to improve the quality of life for the visually impaired.
Scott VanEpps
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Research Focus: Nanotechnology Contact Information:jvane@umich.eduThe VanEpps laboratory focuses on life-threatening infections, particularly those associated with implanted medical devices. His research addresses the biophysical processes of bacterial cell-cell interaction, bacterial interactions with abiotic surfaces, and biofilm development. The overarching goal of his team is to translate novel technologies aimed at the detection of subclinical medical device related infection, prevention of bacterial adhesion and colonization of devices, and in situ treatment of established biofilms for device salvage strategies.
Anish Tuteja
Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, and Chemical Engineering Research Focus: Advanced Materials and Drug Delivery Contact Information:atuteja@umich.eduThe Tuteja Group research is in surface science, including developing super-omniphobic surfaces (surfaces on which liquids bead up and roll- off). They have developed a novel technique to fabricate nano- and micro- particles of any size, shape, or chemistry. The developed particles’ shape, size, and composition can be used to engineer bio-distribution, skin or lung uptake, intra-cellular localization, and cell response.
Peter Tessier
Albert M. Mattocks Professor of Pharmacy; Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chemical Engineering Research Focus: Advanced Materials and Drug Delivery, BioInnovations in Brain Cancer, Nanotechnology Contact Information:ptessier@umich.eduThe Tessier lab aims to develop next generation technologies for designing, discovering, engineering, characterizing, formulating and delivering biologics ranging from small affinity peptides to large monoclonal antibodies for molecular imaging, diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
William Stacey
Associate Professor of Neurology and Biomedical Engineering Research Focus: Neural Engineering Contact Information:wstacey@umich.eduThe Stacey lab is dedicated to developing better implantable devices to control epilepsy. The lab uses a combination of electrophysiology, machine learning, signal processing, and computational modeling. Data for these projects are acquired from a large database of human patients, an ongoing pilot clinical trial in patients undergoing surgical implantation of electrodes, and from rodent models of epilepsy. The lab is specifically researching the relationship of high frequency oscillations with seizure mechanisms, and developing methods to target and stimulate the brain to stop seizures.
Michael Solomon
Dean, Horace H Rackham School of Graduate Studies and Vice Provost for Academic Affairs - Graduate Studies; Professor of Chemical Engineering and Macromolecular Science and Engineering Research Focus: Nanotechnology Contact Information:mjsolo@umich.eduThe Solomon Group research interests are in the area of soft matter – materials with properties intermediate between fluids and solids. The Solomon group has developed and applied 3D confocal microscopy, rheological, and light scattering methods to study the soft matter phenomena of self-assembly, gelation, and the biomechanics of bacterial biofilms.
Lonnie Shea
Steven A Goldstein Collegiate Professor of Biomedical Engineering; Professor of Chemical Engineering and Surgery Research Focus: Cell and Tissue Engineering Contact Information:ldshea@umich.eduThe Shea Lab focuses on controllable microenvironments for directing or molecularly dissecting tissue growth, both normal and abnormal. His lab is applying systems biology approaches to investigate epithelial cell differentiation and metastatic progression, the mechanisms of drug action, and the cross talk between epithelial cells and immune cells.
Steven Schwendeman
Ara G. Paul Professor and Department Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Professor of Biomedical Engineering Research Focus: Advanced Materials and Drug Delivery, BioInnovations in Brain Cancer Contact Information:schwende@umich.eduThe Schwendeman Group develops advanced polymer-based controlled drug delivery approaches including vaccine delivery from poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA); PLGA nanoparticle formulation; and development of mucoadhesive polymers/formulations for intraoral and intranasal delivery.
Anna Schwendeman
William I. Higuchi Collegiate Professor of Pharmacy; Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Focus: Nanotechnology, BioInnovations in Brain Cancer Contact Information:annaschw@umich.eduSchwendeman’s principal research interest is to understand how phospholipid composition of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) affects its potency and to design short synthetic peptides that mimic various functions of Apolipoprotein A-I, the main HDL protein. Laboratory work focuses on HDL for treatment of sepsis, Alzheimer’s disease, complications of diabetes, lupus and other autoimmune diseases and using synthetic HDL nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery purposes and designing artificial HDL based on gold nanoparticles.
Sunitha Nagrath
Professor of Chemical Engineering Research Focus: Cell and Tissue Engineering, Single Cell Technologies Contact Information:snagrath@umich.eduThe Nagrath lab research focuses on developing integrated nano- and microfluidic technologies for understanding cell trafficking in cancer through isolation, characterization, and the study of circulating tumor cells in peripheral blood of cancer patients.
Deepak Nagrath
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering Research Focus: Single Cell Technologies, Cell and Tissue Engineering, BioInnovations in Brain Cancer Contact Information:dnagrath@umich.eduThe Nagrath lab focuses on both experimental and theoretical aspects of Cellular and Molecular Tissue Engineering, Metabolic Engineering, and Biomedicine with emphasis on clinical applications. Our research interests lie in the systems biology of metabolic diseases, specifically cancer.
James Moon
J. G. Searle Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Professor of Biomedical Engineering Research Focus: Advanced Materials and Drug Delivery, BioInnovations in Brain Cancer Contact Information:moonjj@umich.eduThe Moon Group develops therapeutics and diagnostics at the interface of immunology and engineering. Research addresses drug delivery systems for enhancing delivery of antigen and adjuvant to lymphoid organs and manipulating immune functions in the context of cancer, infectious diseases, and autoimmunity.
Isabelle Lombaert
Assistant Professor of Dentistry - Biologic and Materials Sciences Research Focus: Cell and Tissue Engineering Contact Information:lombaert@umich.eduResearch in the Lombaert lab focuses on the regeneration of radiated tissues by stem cell-based therapies. In order to drive this therapeutic concept successfully, we investigate molecular and cellular research aspects during organ development, as well as in adult homeostatic and damaged conditions.
Scott Lempka
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Anesthesiology Research Focus: Neural Engineering Contact Information:lempka@umich.eduLempka’s Neuromodulation Lab uses computational models combined with experimental measurements to characterize clinical neurostimulation therapies for chronic pain management. Particular research areas include spinal cord stimulation and deep brain stimulation.
Somin Lee
Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, and Macromolecular Science and Engineering Research Focus: Nanotechnology Contact Information:sleee@umich.eduDr. Lee and the Bioplasmonics Group focuses on advancing innovations utilizing nanoscale-dependent properties to enable unique spatial and temporal capabilities needed for quantification in bioscience and medicine. Areas of expertise include plasmonics, nanophotonics, and bionanotechnologies.
Ron Larson
A. H. White Distinguished University Professor of Chemical Engineering; George Granger Brown Professor of Chemical Engineering; Professor of Macromolecular Science and Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Research Focus: Nanotechnology Contact Information:rlarson@umich.eduThe Larson Group’s research interests include the structure and flow properties of viscous or elastic fluids, sometimes called “complex fluids,” which include polymers, colloids, surfactant-containing fluids, liquid crystals, and biological macromolecules such as DNA, proteins, and lipid membranes. The Larson group applies these concepts to drug release materials, coating materials, personal care products, and other applications of advanced materials.
Joerg Lahann
Wolfgang Pauli Collegiate Professor of Chemical Engineering; Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Macromolecular Science and Engineering Research Focus: BioInnovations in Brain Cancer, Advanced Materials and Drug Delivery, Single Cell Technologies Contact Information:lahann@umich.eduResearch in the Lahann Lab focuses on surface engineering, advanced polymers, biomimetic materials, engineered stem cell microenvironments, drug delivery, and nano-scale self-assembly.
Nicholas Kotov
Irving Langmuir Distinguished University Professor of Chemical Sciences and Engineering; Joseph B. and Florence V. Cejka Professor of Engineering; Professor of Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Macromolecular Science and Engineering Research Focus: Single Cell Technologies, Nanotechnology Contact Information:kotov@umich.eduResearch in the Kotov Group focuses on self-organization of nanocolloids, layer-by-layer assembly, ultrastrong nanocomposites, tissue engineering with nanomaterials, nanoscale drugs, and implantable biomedical devices.
Jinsang Kim
Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering and Chemistry; Director Academic Programs, Macromolecular Science and Engineering Research Focus: Advanced Materials and Drug Delivery Contact Information:jinsang@umich.eduKim’s Smart Functional Polymer Lab explores functional polymeric materials and their nanostructural assembly to develop advanced polymeric objects. The research focuses on the rational molecular design, chemical and/or biological synthesis, and molecular assembly of functional polymers.
Evan Keller
Richard and Susan Rogel Professor of Oncology; Professor of Urology and Pathology; Associate Professor of Comparative Pathology Research Focus: Cell and Tissue Engineering, Single Cell Technologies Contact Information:etkeller@umich.eduThe Keller Group focuses on the biology of cancer metastasis and explores genes that regulate metastasis and the interaction between the bone microenvironment and cancer cells. Researchers perform translational studies to enable movement of research findings into clinics.
Sharon Glotzer
Anthony C. Lembke Department Chair of Chemical Engineering; John Werner Cahn Distinguished University Professor of Engineering; Stuart W. Churchill Collegiate Professor of Chemical Engineering; Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, and Physics Research Focus: Nanotechnology Contact Information:sglotzer@umich.eduGlotzer’s research on computational assembly science and engineering aims toward predictive materials design of colloidal and soft matter, with current emphasis on shape, packing, and assembly pathways.
Tae-Hwa Chun
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine Research Focus: Cell and Tissue Engineering Contact Information:taehwa@umich.eduDr. Chun is a clinician-researcher specializing in diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and endocrine disorders. His research efforts focus on enzyme-mediated fat tissue remodeling, which maintains healthy fat function and metabolism. High caloric diet causes diabetes and cardiovascular diseases by disrupting healthy fat remodeling and function.
Cindy Chestek
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Research Focus: Neural Engineering Contact Information:cchestek@umich.eduThe Chestek lab focuses on brain machine interface (BMI) systems using 100 channel arrays implanted in motor and pre-motor cortex. The goal is to eventually develop clinically viable systems to enable paralyzed individuals to control prosthetic limbs, as well as their own limbs using functional electrical stimulation and assistive exoskeletons.
Tim Bruns
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering Research Focus: Neural Engineering Contact Information:bruns@umich.eduBruns’ research group is developing microelectrode interfaces with the nervous system for functional control and investigating systems-level neurophysiology.
Carlos Aguilar
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering Research Focus: Single Cell Technologies, Cell and Tissue Engineering Contact Information:caguilar@umich.eduAguilar’s NOBEL lab develops, optimizes and applies innovative technologies such as integrative genomic assays and high-throughput sequencing, micro/nanofabricated devices, genome editing and computational modeling to its primary area of focus, which is skeletal muscle.