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UMN BME-Industry Grand Rounds

Through virtual events, local engineers, scientists, faculty, and trainees can share knowledge about critical biomedical engineering topics. 

Grand rounds are hosted by the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota, and held in partnership with local biomedical and tech companies.

Robert K. Schuiltz and Ronald Siegel
Robert K. Schultz and Ronald A. Siegel

New Treatments for Epilepsy and Acute Anxiety

Company partner: Sollievo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

April 8, 2024
3:35 - 4:30pm CT

Emergency in the Emergency Department

Robert K. Schultz, Ph.D., President and CEO, Sollievo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Intranasal Delivery of a Diazepam Prodrug for Rapid Reversal of Seizures

Ronald A. Siegel, Sc.D., Professor, Departments of Pharmaceutics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota

Register: April talk

Past events and recordings

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Feb. 12, 2024: Immune cell therapy solutions (Bio-Techne)

David Hermanson and Jennifer Kang
David Hermanson and Jennifer Kang

Immune Cell Therapy Solutions
Company partner: Bio-Techne

February 12, 2024
3:35–4:30pm CT

Non-Viral gene editing using TcBuster Transposon system for CAR T Therapy
David Hermanson, Director, Cell & Gene Therapy Applications, Bio-Techne

Exploring the frontiers of immune response: study of T cell media and behavior
Jennifer Kang, PhD Candidate, UMN Department of Biomedical Engineering

Nov. 13, 2023: Polymer engineering for medical devices (Zeta Scientific LLC and Biolinq Inc.)

Joanne Moody, Ajay D. Padsalgikar, Wei Shen
Joanne Moody, Ajay D. Padsalgikar, Wei Shen

Polymer engineering for medical devices
Company partners: Zeta Scientific LLC and Biolinq Inc.

November 13, 2023
3:35–4:30pm CT

SPE MPD and the intersection of polymers and healthcare
Joanne Moody, Zeta Scientific LLC

Medical device innovation with polyurethanes
Ajay D. Padsalgikar, Biolinq Inc.

Biodegradable and implantable elastomers
Wei Shen, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota

Oct. 9, 2023: Women's health (FemTherapeutics)

Negin Ashouri and Kyoko Yoshida
Negin Ashouri and Kyoko Yoshida

Engineering and women's health
Company partner: FemTherapeutics

October 9, 2023
3:35 - 4:30pm CT

Personalized medicine for women: Leveraging AI and 3D printing
Negin Ashouri, FemTherapeutics

Computational models for pregnancy
Kyoko Yoshida, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota

March 13, 2023: Molecular interactions and toolsets (Bio-Techne)

Wesley Errington and Casim Sarkar
Wesley Errington and Casim Sarkar

Engineering tailored molecular interactions and toolsets
Company partner: Bio-Techne

March 13, 2023
3:35 - 4:30pm CT

Antibody development and characterization for applications in biotechnology
Wesley Errington, Scientist, Antibody Development, Bio-Techne

Forward and reverse engineering of multivalency to tune protein binding dynamics
Casim Sarkar, Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota

 

Feb. 13, 2023: Organ and tissue preservation (Sylvatica Biotech)

Sebastian Giwa and John Bischof
Sebastian Giwa and John Bischof

The promise of organ and tissue preservation to transform medicine
Company partner: Sylvatica Biotech

February 13, 2023
3:35 - 4:30pm CT

Control of Biological Time in Practice: Supply chain needs for tissues and organs in medicine and near-term technology applications
Sebastian Giwa, founder of Sylvatica Biotech, Expanse Bio, Ossium Health, Elevian Inc., and the Organ Preservation Alliance; IEM Fellow and Chairman of ATP-Bio Partners

Advanced technologies for the preservation of biological systems (ATP-Bio) NSF ERC
John Bischof, Professor of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering; Director of IEM and ATP-Bio

Dec. 12, 2022: Audio based therapeutics (CurieAI)

Navya Davuluri and Hubert Lim
Navya Davuluri and Hubert Lim

Audio based health monitoring, diagnostics and therapeutics
Company partner: CurieAI

December 12, 2022
3:35 - 4:30pm CT
 

Ambient audio based health monitoring and diagnostics in elderly patients with acute and chronic respiratory conditions
Navya Davuluri, Co-founder and CEO, CurieAI

Audio therapy combined with neuromodulation can drive brain changes towards treating pain and hearing disorders
Hubert Lim, Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Otolaryngology, University of Minnesota

Nov. 14, 2022: Machine learning (3D Predict)

Marina Domracheva and Kendrick Kay
Marina Domracheva and Kendrick Kay

Machine learning in basic neuroscience and medical image processing
Company partner: 3D Predict

November 14, 2022
3:35 - 4:30pm CT

Machine learning in medical image processing: How advanced ML-diagnostics changes the treatment planning and outcomes (real-life example in Orthodontics)
Marina Domracheva, 3D Predict

Machine learning in visual and cognitive neuroscience
Kendrick Kay, University of Minnesota

Oct. 24, 2022: Interventional oncology (Boston Scientific)

Bruce Forsyth and Eric Batchelor
Bruce Forsyth and Eric Batchelor

Technical advances in interventional oncology
Company partner: Boston Scientific

October 24, 2022
3:35 - 4:30pm CT

Delivering cancer therapy with Y90 radioembolization
Bruce Forsyth, Sr. R&D Fellow, Interventional Oncology, Boston Scientific

Manipulating the dynamics of the cellular DNA damage response to control tumor cell fate
Eric Batchelor, Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School

Sept, 12, 2022: Precision medicine for brain diseases (Cordance Medical)

Ryan Dittamore and Jonathan Sachs
Ryan Dittamore and Jonathan Sachs

Bringing precision medicine to patients with brain diseases 
Company partner: Cordance Medical

September 12, 2022
3:35 - 4:30pm CT
 

A focused ultrasound platform that opens the blood-brain barrier with a simple, non-invasive 30-minute clinic procedure
Ryan Dittamore, Cordance Medical

Small molecule drug discovery targeting toxic amyloid oligomers for treatment of neurodegeneration
Jonathan Sachs, Department of Biomedical Engineering

May 9, 2022: Closed-loop therapy of the nervous system (Medtronic)

Hank Bink, Alexander Opitz, and Sina Shirinpour
Hank Bink, Alexander Opitz, and Sina Shirinpour

New technologies for closed-loop therapy of the nervous system
Company partner: Medtronic

May 9, 2022
3:35–4:30pm CT
  • Closed-loop spinal cord stimulation using sensed evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs) — Hank Bink, Medtronic
  • Tracking physiological signals for improved neurostimulation protocols — Alexander Opitz, Department of Biomedical Engineering
  • Methods for closed-loop phase-dependent neurostimulation — Sina Shirinpour, Department of Biomedical Engineering

April 11, 2022: Better pain therapy (Abbott)

Claire Kaiser, Tay Netoff, and Yagna Pathak

Better pain therapy by leveraging remote technologies and biomarkers
Company partner: Abbott

April 11, 2022
3:35–4:30pm CT

Biomarkers for monitoring efficacy of neuromodulatory treatments for inflammation and pain
Claire Kaiser, Department of Biomedical Engineering

The need for improved pain therapeutics
Tay Netoff, Department of Biomedical Engineering

Digital health in neuromodulation
Yagna Pathak, Abbott

March 14, 2022: Wound healing and therapeutic delivery (3M)

March Grand Rounds speakers
Marcus Flowers, Kris Kieswetter, Amy McNulty, and Chun Wang

Materials and devices for wound healing and therapeutic delivery 
Company partner: 3M

March 14, 2022
3:35–4:30pm CT


CAPRO: A novel biodegradable material for drug delivery
Marcus Flowers, Department of Biomedical Engineering

Materials and devices for wound healing
Kris Kieswetter, 3M
Amy McNulty, 3M

Polymer wafers for noninvasive delivery of protein vaccines
Chun Wang, Department of Biomedical Engineering

Feb. 14, 2022: Venous interventions (Boston Scientific)

Innovations in peripheral venous interventions 
Company partner: Boston Scientific

Benjamin Bayder and Bob Tranquillo
Benjamin Bayder and Robert Tranquillo
Feb. 14, 2022
3:35–4:30pm CT
 

Varithena: Treating veins with injectable foam
Benjamin Bayder
Sr. Product Manager, Venous Marketing, Boston Scientific

Tissue-engineered transcatheter vein valve
Robert Tranquillo
Distinguished McKnight University Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering

Jan. 10, 2022: Bioengineering platforms to understand human disease (Bio-Techne)

Amanda Alexander and Paolo Provenzano

Bioengineering platforms to understand human disease 
Company partner: Bio-Techne

Jan. 10, 2022
3:35–4:30pm CT
  • Amanda Alexander, Bio-Techne — Using EllaTM, a microfluidic automated ELISA platform, in neurodegenerative disease research
  • Paolo Provenzano, Department of Biomedical Engineering — Stromal disruption and cell engineering strategies to enhance distribution of cytotoxic T cells

Nov. 8, 2021: Image-guided therapies (Medtronic)

Shai Ashkenazi and Joseph Brannan
Joseph Brannan and Shai Ashkenazi

The role of photoacoustics, ultrasound, and electromagnetics in image-guided therapies 
Company partner: Medtronic

November 8, 2021
3:35–4:30pm CT
  • Joseph Brannan, Medtronic — Medtronic image guided tumor ablation technology
  • Shai Ashkenazi, Department of Biomedical Engineering — Photoacoustic technology for sensing and imaging

Oct. 11, 2021: Clinical applications of neurostimulation (Inspire Medical Systems)

Kent Lee, Tay Netoff, and Jennifer Hsia
Kent Lee, Tay Netoff, and Jennifer Hsia

Clinical applications of neurostimulation 
Company partner: Inspire Medical Systems

Oct. 11, 2021
3:35–4:30pm CT
Speakers
  • Kent Lee, Research Fellow, Inspire Medical Systems—How a new neurostimulation therapy for treating obstructive sleep apnea was developed
  • Jennifer Hsia, Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology—Physician and patient’s perspective on Inspire therapy experience and programming
  • Tay Netoff, Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering

Sept. 13, 2021: Enhancing Human Senses (Starkey)

Achin and Zhi
Achin Bhowmik and Zhi Yang

Enhancing human senses 
Company partner: Starkey

Sept. 13
3:35–4:30pm CT

The human sensory perception system is remarkable, allowing us to sense and understand the world around us almost effortlessly. However, as we age, our sensation, perception, and cognition systems generally degrade. Traumatic injuries from accidents or overexposure to harmful stimulus levels can also result in catastrophic impact to human perceptual processes. Sustained sensory deprivations have been associated with cognitive declines and other comorbidities.

Recent technological advances in sensors and computation, especially breakthroughs in miniaturized hardware components and artificial intelligence algorithms based on modern machine learning techniques, are increasingly enabling the development of various types of assistive devices that can help enhance and augment the human senses. In this lecture, we will review:

  • The neuroscience of sensory perception system
  • Mechanisms and impacts of common sensory deficiencies
  • Recent advances and future trends in perceptual assistive technologies
Speakers
  • Achin Bhowmik, PhD, Chief Technology Officer at Starkey and Adjunct Professor at Stanford
  • Zhi Yang, PhD, Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota and Fasikl Inc.

April 19, 2021: Computational modeling (Medtronic)

Ruth, Troy, Dave and Sarah

Computational models to provide physiologic insights and aid in clinical study design 
Company partner: Medtronic

April 19, 2021
3:35–4:30pm CT
Speakers
  • Computational modeling in cardiac implantables at Medtronic—Ruth Nicholson Klepfer, Innovation Director, Cardiac Implantables, Medtronic
  • Research examples of the value of computational modeling in medical devices—Troy Jackson, Distinguished Scientist, Cardiac Implantables, Medtronic
  • Biophysical modeling for COVID-19 antiviral development—David Odde, Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering
  • Biophysical modeling for cancer cell migration—Sarah Anderson, BME PhD candidate

March 8, 2021: AI for stroke treatment (Minnetronix Medical)

Aaron McCabe, Andrew Grande, Laura Zitella Verbick, Kaitlin Kramer, Matthew Johnson

Developing an AI-based system for improved hemorrhagic stroke treatment: A case study in collaboration 
Company partner: Minnetronix Medical

March 8, 2021
3:35–4:30pm CT
  • Pursuing Better Patient Outcomes by Linking Interventions with Decision Support — Aaron McCabe, PhD, Minnetronix Medical
  • Interventional Needs enabled by Decision Support in the ICH Population – Andrew Grande, MD, Department of Neurosurgery
  • A Collaborative Approach to AI Development – Laura Zitella Verbick, PhD, Minnetronix Medical
  • Reflections and Learnings from Collaboration – Kaitlin Kramer, Minnetronix Medical
  • BME Curriculum and Student Research Experiences working with Medical Image Processing and AI – Matthew Johnson, PhD, Department of Biomedical Engineering

Feb. 8, 2021: Microfluidics (Bio-Techne)

speakers Dave Wood, Yoav Noam., Lizzy Crist, and Ali Crampton

Microfluidics in bioengineering: Small tools with big impacts 
Company partner: Bio-Techne

Feb. 8, 2021
3:35–4:30pm CT
  • Intro — Dave Wood, Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering
  • A microfluidics-based, automated ELISA platform: Next generation immunoassays for better precision and reproducibility — Yoav Noam, Scientist and Supervisor, Bio-Techne
  • Tissue engineering on a chip — Lizzy Crist, PhD Candidate, Department of Biomedical Engineering
  • Microfluidics for synthesis and manufacturing — Ali Crampton, Researcher, Department of Biomedical Engineering