Program Overview

Biomolecular Engineering Program

The Biomolecular Engineering program at the University of Kansas integrates the fundamentals of biology, chemistry, and mathematics with engineering problem-solving methods to prepare students for careers in industry, academia, and public service. Program faculty solve biological problems to increase understanding of a variety of biological systems.

Program Description

Chemical and biological systems are studied to ultimately provide solutions—in the form of measurement of properties and function, imaging, diagnosis, or therapeutics. Research in this area involves collaborations among engineers, biological scientists, chemists, physicians, and pharmaceutical scientists in industry, academia, surgery, and clinical settings.

Student Research

Students in this track use a core background of mathematics, basic sciences, and therapeutics and engineering courses to conduct interdisciplinary research. Elective courses are selected to prepare each student for their unique problem in such areas as:

• Drug design or development
• Biological materials design
• Characterization of cellular function or malfunction
• Transport in biological systems
• Analysis of complex data

Faculty

The program is led by:

• Stefan Bossmann, Ph.D.
  • University Distinguished Professor
  • Professor and Chair, Cancer Biology
• Kyle Camarda, Ph.D.
  • Associate Professor, Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
• Prajna Dhar, Ph.D.
  • Track Director, Biomolecular Engineering
  • Professor, Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
  • Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
• Robert Dunn, Ph.D.
  • Professor, Chemistry
• Chris Fischer, Ph.D.
  • Associate Professor, Physics and Astronomy
• Laird Forrest, Ph.D.
  • Professor, Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Stevin Gehrke, Ph.D.
  • Professor, Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
• Andrew Godwin, Ph.D.
  • Chancellors Distinguished Chair in Biomedical Sciences and Endowed Professor
  • Professor and Director of Molecular Oncology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
  • Deputy Director, The University of Kansas Cancer Center
  • Kansas Bioscience Authority Eminent Scholar
• Lisa Harlan-Williams, Ph.D.
  • Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
  • Assistant Director, Administration and Education, University of Kansas Cancer Center
• Justin Hutchison, Ph.D.
  • Assistant Professor, Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering
• Roy Jensen, M.D.
  • Director, University of Kansas Cancer Center
  • Director, Kansas Masonic Research Institute (KMCRI)
  • Professor, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
  • William R. Jewell, MD Distinguished Kansas Masonic Professorship in Cancer Research
  • Chief Executive Officer, Midwest Cancer Alliance
  • Professor, Cancer Biology
• Hyunjoon Kim, Ph.D.
  • Assistant Professor, Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Diane Mahoney
  • Assistant Professor, University of Kansas Nursing School
• Ilce "Gaby" Medina-Meza, Ph.D.
  • Associate Professor, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Pharmacology
  • Head of the Food and Health Laboratory (FHeL)
• Ted Peltier, Ph.D.
  • Professor, Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering
  • Dean R. and Florence W. Frisbie Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies
• John Ralston, Ph.D.
  • Professor, Physics & Astronomy
• Teruna Siahaan, Ph.D.
  • Aya and Takeru Higuchi Distinguished Professor, Pharmaceutical Chemistry
  • Associate Chair, Pharmaceutical Chemistry
  • Co-Director, NIH Biotechnology Training Program
• Michael Soares
  • Distinguished Professor, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
• Steven Soper, Ph.D.
  • KU Foundation Distinguished Professor, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, and Bioengineering
• Susan Stagg-Williams, Ph.D.
  • Charles E. & Mary Jane Spahr Professor, Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
  • Department Chair, Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
• Belinda Sturm, Ph.D.
  • Professor, Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering
  • Director, Kansas NSF EPSCoR Office
• Candan Tamerler, Ph.D.
  • Track Director, Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering
  • Wesley G. Cramer Professor, Mechanical Engineering
  • Associate Vice Chancellor for Research
• Jay Vivian
  • Research Associate Professor, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
• David Volkin, Ph.D.
  • Ronald T. Borchardt Distinguished Professor, Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Danny Welch, Ph.D.
  • Professor, Cancer Biology
  • Professor, Molecular and Integrative Physiology

Program Location

The program is located at: 1132 Learned Hall 1530 W 15th St. Lawrence, KS 66045

University Statement

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator or using the Title IX online report form, and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or using the Title IX online complaint form.