Ph.D. Research Opportunities

Research Areas

The Cornell BME Ph.D. program offers research opportunities in the following areas: 

  1. Biomechanics & Mechanobiology
  2. Biomedical Imaging & Instrumentation
  3. Drug Delivery & Nanomedicine
  4. Molecular & Cellular Engineering
  5. Tissue Engineering & Biomaterials
  6. Systems & Synthetic Biology

Cornell's commitment to interdisciplinary research allows for a broad range of research opportunities to BME students. Mentored by and collaborating with outstanding faculty, the goal for every BME Ph.D. student is to make an important and long-lasting research contribution in his/her chosen area of expertise. The following three components are the essential pillars of a successful BME Ph.D. degree at Cornell:

  1. Completion of an original research project that makes an important contribution to a field of biomedical engineering and that establishes the student as an expert in his/her chosen area;
  2. Acquiring a broad foundation plus in-depth academic knowledge in a chosen area of specialization, achieved by successfully taking advanced classes in biomedical engineering and two chosen minors throughout the course of the Ph.D. program;
  3. Clinical and teaching experience, obtained through the BME clinical immersion program at Weill Cornell Medicine and a minimum of one semester of service as a Teaching Assistant. 

By far the largest amount of effort will be devoted to research. At the same time, continued learning, in the form of taking advanced graduate classes in areas selected by the student in consultation with his/her Special Committee, will ensure substantial depth of knowledge and academic expertise in the chosen research area. In addition, the Cornell BME Ph.D. program encourages students to participate in the multitude of outreach opportunities offered, including service to local middle and high schools, teaching, and public engagement to serve the broader community.