Biomedical Engineering

WPI’s Biomedical Engineering Department never stops on its search to uncover the next advance in therapies, devices, and products to help people live longer, healthier lives. Our department is leading diverse, cutting-edge research and product and thought innovation to develop new breakthroughs in this rapidly changing field.

We work on advances as diverse as wound-healing sutures, blood vessel engineering, vital sign monitoring for firefighters, and braces for joint stabilization. We seek to understand how physicians and patients will use devices, making these devices more user-friendly and useful.

Our students and faculty collaborate on ambitious research projects to push the boundaries at the intersection of engineering, biology, and medicine, often making groundbreaking discoveries and industry-changing developments to move the field forward.

We identify emerging technologies and help launch them through development and commercialization. Students work on teams here to help advance new developments and connect theory and practice of the university.

Degree is also offered online.

Area of Study	Bachelor	Master	PhD
Biomedical Engineering	bachelor	master	phd
Biomedical Engineering (MEng)		master

Student and professor stand in a laboratory in front of a robotic arm

WPI Develops Innovative Robotic System to Enhance Kidney Transplant Screening

WPI Researchers Haichong Zhang and Xihan Ma, have developed a cutting-edge robotic OCT system to enhance kidney transplant screening. This fully automated technology provides real-time imaging of an entire donated kidney, assisting clinicians in assessing viability. Developed at WPI’s Medical FUSION Lab, this innovation aims to increase successful transplants and save lives.

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Undergraduate Research Projects Showcase

The 2025 Undergraduate Research Project Showcase was a celebration of research, design, and creative theses—a requirement of every graduating senior through the Major Qualifying Project (MQP)—takes place each spring on campus. Student teams representing all academic departments present their work to their faculty advisors, external sponsors, and the community-at-large, and the public is invited. The chemistry and biochemistry department had extraordinary projects with thorough research from each participating student, as well as two exemplary MQP students who were awarded the Major Qualifying Project Awards. You can see all award winners in the exciting spotlight section below!

More about Undergraduate Research Projects Showcase

Q&A with Solomon Mensah

The Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering speaks about encouraging careers in STEM

Media Coverage

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Telegram.com

From Iraq to WPI grad: Fatimah Daffaie's inspirational Worcester journey

For Worcester’s Fatimah Daffaie ’25, BS MS Biomedical Engineering, her graduation marks the culmination of a journey that began half a world away. She credits mentorship from WPI faculty and students while she was still in high school with sparking an interest in studying engineering. She shared her story with the Telegram & Gazette.

Spectrum News 1

WPI researchers developing more efficient kidney scanning robot

How can advancements in imaging technology improve the kidney donation process and save lives? Spectrum News 1 Worcester reported on the efforts of Haichong Zhang, associate professor in robotics engineering and biomedical engineering, and Xihan Ma, a robotics engineering PhD student, to develop and test a robotic system that seeks to empower clinicians to make better decisions about a donated kidney’s viability for transplantation.

Design and Development Today

Building Better Bioadhesives for Long-Term Medical Implants

Jiawei Yang, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering who is affiliated with the Department of Biomedical Engineering, is developing a new class of medical adhesives to safely and reliably connect human tissues to therapeutic devices implanted in the body, such as pacemakers, insulin pumps, and artificial joints.

Additional Publications: Adhesives & Sealants Industry

Worcester Business Journal

WPI receives slice of $2.8M women’s health grants for bipolar treatment development

Professors Christina Bailey-Hytholt and Diana Alatalo have earned $50,000 in funding from the First Look Awards program to advance research on bipolar disorder.