Message from the chair

Yi-Xian Qin, Ph.D.

SUNY Distinguished Professor

Chair, Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME)

 

 

Dear Colleagues, Alumni, Students, and Friends,

As we conclude another dynamic and productive semester in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Stony Brook University, I extend my warmest greetings to our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners. This exciting semester has been marked by remarkable progress, collective resilience, students’ achievements, and a shared commitment to advancing research and education in biomedical engineering.

Our department continues to push the boundaries of integrated science and engineering—from pioneering medical imaging technologies to advancing biomaterials, neuroengineering, and microbiomics imaging—all with a strong focus on meaningful clinical and translational impact. We are growing our faculty and students in our program. The accomplishments reflect our enduring dedication to excellence in research and education that transforms human health.

We are especially pleased to welcome outstanding new faculty members to the department. In addition to Dr. David Glass joining the department last year, Dr. Pu-Ting Dong joined as Assistant Professor in Spring 2026 following her postdoctoral training at the Forsyth Institute and Harvard School of Dental Medicine as an NIH K99 awardee. Her laboratory is focused on microbiomics imaging through the development and application of cutting-edge optical imaging technologies integrated with advanced multi-omics approaches to better understand host–microbe and microbe–microbe interactions underlying human disease.

This newsletter highlights many achievements from across our community. Among them are new research grants, including Dr. Jun Wang’s NIH R21 award for the project “Regulatory Landscape of Neurodegeneration by Single-Cell Spatial Multiomics,” which aims to uncover the regulatory mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease progression. Our faculty also continued to publish impactful scholarship in leading journals such as Nature Biomedical Engineering and PNAS.

Our faculty members have earned national and international recognition for both research and leadership. Dr. Hassan Arbab recently co-chaired the 11th International Conference on Optical Terahertz Science and Technology (OTST 2026) at Duke University, where his laboratory’s innovative terahertz imaging approaches for differentiating healthy and diseased skin were highlighted for their potential to improve burn care. Associate Professor Eric Brouzes received a highly competitive fellowship from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science to conduct collaborative research in Tokyo integrating DNA nanotechnology and microphotonics. Professor Wei Yin, Associate Dean for Community Engagement and Outreach, was honored as a 2026 Woman of Distinction in Science by Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay for her translational biomechanics research focused on coronary artery disease.

We also celebrate faculty leadership in shaping the future of graduate education and scholarship. In Inside Higher Ed., Associate Dean and Associate Professor David Rubinstein explored how generative AI is transforming doctoral dissertation writing and argued for rethinking academic structures, authorship, and rigor in the AI era. He was also recently named a SUNY Academic Momentum Fellow.

Our students continue to distinguish themselves through scholarship, innovation, leadership, and service. We proudly celebrate Ciara Woellhof, who received the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship for her research in Professor Bluestein’s Biofluids Laborator. Beyond her research accomplishments, Ciara co-founded the 3D Printing for Assistive Technology and Health (3D PATH) Club and served as president of AEMB, demonstrating remarkable leadership and commitment to service. We also recognize undergraduate student Lillian Best ’28, who recently returned to her former secondary school in Grenada to mentor students interested in STEM and biomedical engineering pathways, exemplifying the global impact and outreach of our student community.

Our students continued to excel in national design competitions and conferences. Two senior design teams, Airex and Hexapod, presented their projects at the 2026 Northeast Bioengineering Conference at Temple University. We congratulate Team Hexapod for earning third place in the Undergraduate Senior Design Competition for their project, “A Smart Modular Pressure-Relief Pillow for Preventing Pressure Ulcers.”

Looking ahead, the department is poised for continued growth and impact. We are excited to continue expanding our faculty, research capabilities, and educational opportunities while growing both undergraduate and graduate enrollment. As we navigate a challenging period in higher education and the broader community, it is more important than ever that we support one another and uphold the core values that guide our mission: advancing human health, driving translational innovation, and empowering the next generation of biomedical engineers.

Finally, we extend our sincere gratitude to our alumni, collaborators, and partners for your continued support and engagement. Your mentorship, collaboration, and generosity are essential to our success. Together, we are advancing knowledge, improving lives, and shaping the future of medicine and healthcare.

Faculty highlights

 

 

 

BME department welcomes Prof. Pu-Ting Dong as newest faculty member!

Pu-Ting Dong joined the department in Spring 2026 as an assistant professor after completing a postdoc from Forsyth Institute/Harvard School of Dental Medicine! Having been awarded a prestigious Pathway to Independence Award award from the National Institutes of Health, her lab will focus on microbiomics imaging; development and application of cutting-edge optical imaging technologies complemented with state-of-the-art multi-omics approaches to gain a comprehensive understanding of host/microbe-microbe interactions that underpin microbiome-related human diseases.

 

Read more about her research here.

Arbab lab continues leadership in biomedical terahertz imaging

The laboratory of Prof. Hassan Arbab, who recently co-chaired the 11th International Conference on Optical Terahertz Science and Technology (OTST 2026) held in Durham, NC at Duke University this past April, was highlighted for their exciting work developing approaches to differentiate healthy from diseased skin using terahertz imaging to help burn victims.

 

Read more about their work here.

David Rubinstein addresses challenges and opportunities for use of AI in doctoral education

Writing in Inside Higher Ed.,

associate dean for academic and student affairs for the Graduate School and an associate professor of biomedical engineering David Rubinstein argues that as generative AI is being increasingly integrated into how doctoral dissertations are being written, universities must rethink the structures that support graduate scholarship and what authorship and academic rigor should look like in the AI era. He was also recently named as a SUNY Academic Momentum Fellow.

 

Read more about it here.

Wei Yin honored for leadership in biomedical engineering

 

Wei Yin, professor of biomedical engineering and Associate Dean for Community Engagement and Outreach, was honored as a 2026 Woman of Distinction Celebration in the category of science by Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay (D-Port Jefferson). The Yin lab addresses translational problems and questions related to biomechanics in the coronary artery.

 

Read more about it here.

Prof. Eric Brouzes Awarded Competitive Research Fellowship

 A competitive fellowship from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) was awarded to Eric Brouzes to conduct research in Japan. Brouzes, associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, mainly focuses his research on analyzing the diversity of cancer tissues and technology that creates and manipulates tiny droplets of liquids. The fellowship funds travel and two months of research in Tokyo. Brouzes will collaborate with Professor Masahiro Takinoue’s lab, building on a prior sabbatical connection. While in Japan, his research will combine DNA nanotechnology and microphotonics. DNA nanotechnology uses DNA as a building material to create tiny, programmable structures or machines at a very small scale. Microphotonics is the technology of controlling and manipulating light, also on a very small scale.

 

Read more about it here.

Jun Wang awarded R21 from the National Institute on Aging to study molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) progression.

Associate professor Jun Wang was awarded a $455,000 R21 grant for the project “Regulatory Landscape of Neurodegeneration by Single-Cell Spatial Multiomics". The project will uncover the regulatory landscape of damaged neurons in AD onset and progression through the unique single-cell spatial omics technology.

Ete Chan recognized for mentorship, teaching, and supervision of BME undergraduates.

 Mei Lin (Ete) Chan, Assistant Professor of Practice", was awarded “Institution Faculty/Staff Member Recognition Award" by National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH). Prof. Chan  was nominated and recognized for her campus and academic contributions, such as her launching the VIP BEAR and EPICS educational programs, working as an academic advisor for clubs, and teaching STEM through an artistic lens.She also won "Supervisor of the Year Award" presented by the Career Center. This award was established to recognize the integral part that the supervisor plays in the education of a student employee or intern.  

Prof. Frame retiring.

Mary D. (Molly) Frame (McMahon), Professor and Undergraduate Program Director, will be retiring after the Spring 2026 semester. Prof. Frame joined the department from University of Rochester in 2002, and will be missed by the department, its students, and alumni. We all wish Molly the best in her retirement!

Student highlights

 

Norah Allam ‘26 selected for 2026 Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence (CASE)

This award recognizes SUNY students who have successfully incorporated SUNY excellence into various aspects of their lives, including academics; leadership; diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice; research & development; campus involvement; civics & service, and the arts (creative or performing).

Norah’s work as Campus Beautification Committee Artist in Residence was previously highlighted here.

Ciara Woellhof (BS ‘25 and current accelerated MS student) wins NSF GRFP award.

 Ciara Woellhof, who is doing her accelerated MS research project in Prof. Bluestein's Biofluids research group, has been awarded the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. During her time at Stony Brook, she has also been deeply involved in community service. She, along with a few other students, founded the 3D Printing for Assistive Technology and Health Club (3D PATH). She also served as president of AEMB, the honor society for BME.

 

Read more about it here.

BME Student Takes Stony Brook Back to Her Old School in the Caribbean.

Growing up with two educators who have STEM backgrounds meant that curiosity was part of daily life for Stony Brook University student Lillian Best ’28, biomedical engineering. In January, Best had a unique opportunity to pay it forward, hosting an informational session on educational and career pathways in STEM/STEAM for the Form 3 (Grade 9) students at St. Joseph’s Convent St. George (SJCSG), her former secondary school in her native Grenada.

 

Read more about it here.

Undergraduate Senior Design win award at Northeast Bioengineering Conference (NEBEC) 2026

Two senior design groups, Airex and Hexapod, from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, presented their poster projects at the 2026 Northeast Bioengineering Conference at Temple University in Philadelphia. Both groups had the opportunity to explore other posters and presentations throughout the conference. Congratulations to Team Hexapod for winning third place with their poster, "A Smart Modular Pressure-Relief Pillow for Preventing Pressure Ulcers," in the Undergraduate Senior Design competition!