Graduate Studies
A Tradition of Bioengineering at the University of Illinois
Biomedical research has a long history at the University of Illinois. Research in what would later be called bioengineering began in 1946 with Prof.William Fry who pioneered the use of ultrasound as a way to study the central nervous system. Dr. Fry founded what would become the Bioacoustics Research Lab, which remains a major laboratory for ultrasound research at the University of Illinois. In 1957, he expanded his research interests to the development of the artificial heart. Dr. Fry's research led to more advanced medical practices to treat patients for disorders such as Parkinson's disease and intractable pain.
In 2003, Bioengineering affiliate faculty member, Paul C. Lauterbur, was recognized for his work, completed largely in the 1970's, for developments in magnetic resonance imaging. Dr. Lauterbur was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and shares the prize with Sir Peter Mansfield of the University of Nottingham in England. Lauterbur was among the first scientists to use nuclear magnetic resonance in the studies of molecules, solutions, and solids. He was the first researcher to produce an image with NMR and apply the technology to medicine. This led to the development of the magnetic resonance imaging scanner, which has had a revolutionary impact on the medical profession.
The Bioengineering Program at the University of Illinois was created in 1973 when the bioengineering option for undergraduates was established. Since 1987, the bioengineering option was recognized as a special program in the College of Engineering. In 2003, the new Bioengineering Department was founded and accepted its first class of undergraduates and graduate students in 2004. A strong tradition of Bioengineering research allowed the Department of Bioengineering to quickly accumulate 50 affiliate faculty from across the university as well as 7 full time faculty. Current planning envisions a department with 16 full time faculty with approximately 300 undergraduate students and 70 graduate students.
The range of disciplines involved in bioengineering has expanded greatly over time. Most importantly research has continued in the area of Bioimaging and further developed in Cell and Tissue Engineering, Nano and Micro Technologies, and Computational Biology.
