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Engineering New Approaches to Medicine

The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, together with the Stony Brook University School of Medicine, hosted the second in its engineering-driven medicine workshop series in May 2017.  Attended by more than 80 faculty and researchers, the workshop was designed to brainstorm, collaborate and synergize strengths to further the convergence of engineering and medicine and formulate a broad agenda for the future.

“We are discussing how to apply technology-driven approaches to respond to the biggest, questions in medicine, using big data, artificial intelligence, bio sensing, brain implanted chips, advanced materials, and robots – technologies that are within our reach today,” said Fotis Sotiropoulos, Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.  “These are some of the ways we are bringing science fiction to life within the tangible future.”

speaker“The more faculty members from the physical sciences, mathematics and especially engineering become involved, the more we can evolve medicine,” said Kenneth Kaushansky, MD, Dean of the School of Medicine and Senior Vice President of Health Sciences at Stony Brook University.  “Tomorrow’s medical breakthroughs will require a wide array of individuals and disciplines that come together with a common goal.  Workshops like this help us think about new ways to move things forward.”

Faculty and researchers across the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences joined their scientific counterparts within the School of Medicine to offer a series of short talks that shared new approaches to today’s most relevant medical issues, such aging in place, obesity, depression, neurological disorders and cancer.  

audienceWith a spirit of collegiality, participants separated into breakout session to discuss tangible ideas set realistic goals for:

  •         Neuroscience and neural engineering
  •         Cancer
  •         Cardiovascular system
  •         Medical imaging
  •         Digital medicine and medical technologies

The workshops are part of the initial stages of creating an Institute for Engineering-Driven Medicine, to be co-managed between the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and School of Medicine. The first workshop was held in December 2016 with a focus on convergence science, taking aim at cancer.

cewit speakerAdditionally, earlier in the semester, the College hosted two lectures focused on engineering-driven medicine:

  • Dr. Subra Suresh, President of Carnegie Mellon University presented “The Study of Human Diseases at the Intersections of Engineering, Sciences and Medicine,” co-hosted with the School of Medicine.
  • Alexis KaushanskyAssistant Professor at the Center for Infectious Disease Research, presented “New Approaches to Studying the Molecular Battle Between Parasite and Host,” co-hosted with the Global Health Institute.

To learn more, share research, or get involved contact:

Samir Das
Associate Dean for Research, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Professor of Computer Science
samir.das@stonybrook.edu