Keck School | Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering
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USC’s Yasser Khan Receives DARPA Young Faculty Award to Develop Wearable Sensors for Monitoring Brain Injury

Oct 14, 2026USC researcher Yasser Khan, a 2026 DARPA Young Faculty Award recipient, will develop chemical and physiological sensors to help detect neural damage in patients with traumatic brain injury

A Better Way to Listen to the Brain

Oct 06, 2026USC researchers have developed customizable brain implants that could provide a clearer view of memory, movement, emotion and other complex functions

Building Virtual Tumors to Crack Cancer’s Resistance to Immunotherapy

Sep 18, 2026BME50 - A USC Viterbi bioengineer is building digital tumors, cell by cell, with a goal that could change how oncologists treat breast cancer: knowing in advance which patients immunotherapy will actually help.

What If the Device Changing Brain Medicine Was Free for Anyone to Build?

Sep 17, 2026BME50 - A USC Viterbi bioengineer's implantable device that any researcher can use, modify, and build on is nearly ready for its first animal test. Getting here required reinventing not just the hardware, but how science shares its tools.

There is no “Brain X-Ray.” A USC Neurosurgeon-Engineer is Helping Build Better Ones

Sep 16, 2026BME50 - A USC neurosurgeon and engineer argues that the tools to monitor the brain cheaply and without surgery are within reach - and that getting there requires putting engineers where patients actually are.

Four Innovators Gather at USC to Explore the Devices Changing Medicine

Sep 15, 2026BME50 - At the Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering's 50th anniversary symposium, four researchers showed how far a device can travel: from a laser cutter in a campus lab to a clinical trial, from a lollipop to a diagnostic tool, from a blind eye to restored vision.

50 Years of Engineering Better Health

Sep 11, 2026BME 50 - The Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering at USC Viterbi and Keck celebrated 50 years of excellence and innovation with a two-day gathering

A new way to help CAR-T cells fight solid tumors could change cancer treatment

Aug 13, 2026USC researchers developed a technique that uses focused ultrasound to temporarily "light up" solid tumors, giving cancer-fighting immune cells a target they can finally recognize.

USC Scientists Are Using Quantum Computing to Rethink Cancer Detection

Aug 11, 2026By combining quantum computing with artificial intelligence, USC researchers are laying the groundwork for medical imaging tools that could help doctors diagnose cancer and plan treatments more precisely

Making Medical AI More Reliable

Aug 06, 2026A new NSF-funded project will create an open-source framework that traces AI errors to their source, helping researchers and clinicians build more trustworthy medical AI systems

From Stress-Relief Vibration Patterns to Haptic Emojis, USC Researchers Personalize the Sense of Touch With AI

Jul 27, 2026New study is first to develop algorithm that learns an individual's preferred vibration patterns, opening the door to personalized haptic experiences in gaming, mental health and automobiles

New Stretchable Catheter Could Help Doctors Spot Plaque Before It Causes Heart Attacks

Jul 22, 2026An NIH Trailblazer Award is supporting USC Viterbi Assistant Professor Hangbo Zhao's research on flexible medical electronics designed to give physicians new insights into high-risk artery plaque.

Finding a Tumor’s Soft Spot to Power-up Immunotherapy

Jul 14, 2026USC researchers have developed a new "black box" tool to measure the softness of tumor cells, an insight that could be crucial for more effective cancer treatment.

USC researcher Longwei Liu uses ultrasound and genetic engineering to develop targeted treatments for blindness and other diseases

Jul 08, 2026The ophthalmology researcher and biomedical engineer aims to create cures that remotely trigger cell and gene therapies for conditions ranging from a genetic disorder that can rob infants of their vision to cancer.

The Hidden Cardiovascular Risks of Nicotine-Free Vaping

Jul 08, 2026A study by USC Viterbi researchers indicates that nicotine-free e-cigarettes can disrupt the heart's oxygen supply-demand balance, a key indicator of cardiovascular health.

For America’s 250th, We Created Commemorative Stamps of Trojan Builders

Jun 29, 2026Need patriotic stamps? We've got you covered. Check out our collection of 14 USC computer scientists and engineers who helped build the modern computing world. Also, they're animated.

USC startup receives up to $3.7 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to develop an inner ear imaging device

Jun 24, 2026AO Technologies, founded by USC researchers John Oghalai and Brian Applegate, has secured an ARPA-H small business award to develop a cochleoscope for clinical imaging of the inner ear.

Smarter, Safer Cancer Fighters

Jun 16, 2026USC engineers have developed a new CAR T-cell therapy that can adapt to almost any solid tumor, attack with precision and spare healthy tissue.

USC Researcher to Lead $2.4M AI Core for Raynor Cerebellum Project Treating Cerebellar Disorders

Jun 11, 2026USC Viterbi's Maryam Shanechi aims to develop AI models to improve neuromodulation and enable adaptive treatment for cerebellar disorders

To the Classroom and Beyond: USC Viterbi Students Develop Highly Accurate Spinal Disc Teaching Models

Jun 08, 2026A novel teaching tool built by USC engineering students in collaboration with USC Physical Therapy Professionals enables enhanced modeling and understanding of spinal cord mobility.

A pacemaker without surgery? USC Viterbi’s Qifa Zhou and team’s ultrasound breakthrough could change heart care

Jun 03, 2026A wearable, noninvasive device uses sound waves and gene therapy to regulate the heartbeat, no implants required

Tiny Particles in Urine Could Be the Key to Treating a Deadly Childhood Kidney Disease

May 28, 2026USC Viterbi researchers have discovered that a naturally occurring nanoparticle found in urine shows early promise as a treatment, and potentially a prenatal intervention, for a rare disease that kills newborns and has no approved therapy.

A Robot Hand That Taught Itself to Play Piano Could Change the Future of Machines

May 27, 2026USC researchers built a robotic hand that hears a melody once and plays it back after just two minutes of self-taught practice on a keyboard. They say the implications go far beyond music.

USC Researchers Develop 3D-Printable MRI Coils for Low Cost Improved Dynamic Imaging

May 19, 2026New study introduces silver coils with flexible design and improved signal strength, enabling customized production for patient-specific scans

Class Of 2026 Trojan Engineers Tasked As Trustworthy Problem-Solvers As They Launch Next Chapter

May 17, 2026From 35 countries and equipped with the skills to advance their chosen field of engineering, the Viterbi Class of 2026 gathered to celebrate degrees earned across oceans, languages, and cultures.

Ingenuity and Perseverance: USC Viterbi Master’s Graduates Are Ready For The Toughest Challenges

May 17, 2026More than 3,500 engineering students gathered at the Galen Center on May 15 to celebrate the USC Viterbi School of Engineering's Class of 2026 master's commencement ceremonies, marked by keynote addresses.

At USC Viterbi, 170 newly minted Ph.Ds. stepped forward toward a bright future

May 16, 2026The Class of 2026 gathered at Bovard Auditorium to celebrate years of research, discovery and impact.

First in the Family, 1,500 Miles from Campus, One Hospital Shift at a Time

May 12, 2026CLASS OF 2026 - The first in her family to earn a bachelor's and a graduate degree, this USC Viterbi graduate completed her Master's in Medical Imaging and Imaging Informatics from Dallas, Texas, working full-time and 1,500 miles from campus, with an entire family ready to fly in and watch her cross the stage.

USC Viterbi Startup Showcase Awards $150K to Student Ventures

May 11, 2026From healthcare diagnostics to electric mobility, founders pitched real-world solutions at USC Viterbi’s inaugural Startup Showcase.

NeuroChron: Detecting Dementia Before Symptoms Appear

May 08, 2026CLASS OF 2026 - A graduating team of seniors at USC's Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering have turned a class assignment into a startup - one with the potential to change how doctors assess and treat neurodegenerative disease.

Maggie Johnson: A Winner In The Classroom and In The Pool

May 07, 2026CLASS OF 2026 - From a rivalry win over UCLA to one of the Big Ten's highest academic honors, the USC women’s water polo captain and USC Viterbi graduating senior is redefining what leadership looks like.

From Maui to Medicine, Viterbi Helped Her Chart Her Own Path

Apr 30, 2026CLASS OF 2026 - The daughter of Turkish immigrant physicians, Maui-raised Alara Berkmen is graduating from USC Viterbi with a bachelor's in Biomedical Engineering on the pre-med track, a business club she built from scratch, and a hard-won clarity about who she wants to be and why.

A USC team is targeting the spinal cord to solve paralysis’ most overlooked problem

Apr 28, 2026A new USC study shows that a tiny electrode array can restore coordinated bladder control in rats - proof of concept for a neuroprosthetic device that could transform life after spinal cord injury.

From Backhands to Breakthroughs: USC Viterbi Students Take Bold Biomechanics Research Worldwide

Apr 27, 2026BME students will present their work at the 10th World Congress of Biomechanics this summer.

How Watching Living Cells Could Transform Disease Research and Treatment

Apr 23, 2026USC biomedical engineer Keyue Shen has been elected to the AIMBE College of Fellows for developing tools that measure how living cells signal and interact in real time - without destroying them.

How an unexpected finding turned into a kidney disease startup

Apr 08, 2026USC researcher Eunji Chung spent over a decade learning to steer nanoparticles through the body. Now she's using that knowledge to take on one of the most common inherited kidney disorders.

From Alzheimer’s to PTSD: How a USC Scientist Hopes AI Can Unlock – and One Day Restore – Human Memory

Mar 24, 2026Using AI paired with brain-machine interfaces, Dong Song wants to study how memories form in real life, and eventually help those who have lost the ability to make them.

For the First Time, Scientists Have Mapped the Genetics of How the Brain Ages, Region by Region

Mar 16, 2026USC Viterbi senior Nicholas Kim, a biomedical engineering major, led the landmark study with hopes that it could one day help improve the treatment of dementia and other brain disorders.

Tricking Tumors into Marking Themselves for Destruction

Nov 17, 2025New research from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering harnesses focused ultrasound to reprogram solid tumors, making them more effective targets for immune cells.

When Self-Driving Trucks Don’t Know What They Don’t Know

Nov 11, 2025At the USC Center for Autonomy and AI's fall workshop, participants grappled with a critical question: Can foundation models power the next generation of autonomous systems?

Maral Mousavi Wins Prestigious International Award in Electroanalytical Sciences

Nov 03, 2025Mousavi, an expert in electrochemical sensors for at-home and point-of-care testing, has been honored with the 2026 Royce W. Murray Young Investigator Award.

The Hidden Chemistry of Human Survival

Oct 29, 2025Jeremy Alexander, Doug Peacock Scholar, finds innovation in overlooked spaces - from wastewater microbes to aerospace materials - to protect life on Earth and beyond.

New NIH Project to Model Breast Tumors for Better Immunotherapy

Oct 21, 2025Stacey Finley will co-lead the five-year $2.6 million project that will harness computational modeling to find effective immunotherapy approaches against devastating metastatic breast tumors.

Researchers Invent New AI Tool to Automate Detection of Cancer in Blood Samples

Oct 15, 2025Innovation detects cancer cells in blood samples (liquid biopsies) in as little as 10 minutes and identifies hard-to-find cells without humans in-the-loop

A Sensor Stir Stick to Keep Your Caffeine Hit in Check

Oct 01, 2025USC biomedical engineers have created a low-cost stirrer to precisely measure a drink's caffeine concentration, helping coffee-lovers avoid the pitfalls of over-caffeination.

Medical Electronics that Match the Stretchability of Human Tissue

Sep 29, 2025Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering have developed a novel method for fabricating highly precise and stretchable electronics that conform seamlessly to the body.

USC Viterbi Student Wins Prestigious Astronaut Scholarship

Sep 25, 2025Alara Berkmen, a biomedical engineering student, is recognized for leadership and dedication to cancer research.

New USC Viterbi Eye Study Could Redefine Rules of Tissue Behavior

Aug 28, 2025USC biomedical engineers have shown that tissue stiffness does not always follow fiber orientation - an exception with implications for glaucoma, myopia, and ocular trauma.

Brain’s Blood Flow Could Change How We Understand and Treat Alzheimer’s

Aug 21, 2025New USC Viterbi-led study focusing on brain's vascular dynamics challenges the current prevailing method of dementia diagnosis and treatment.

Vasileios Christopoulos Awarded Brain Research Foundation Seed Grant for Bladder Control Research

Aug 14, 2025The prestigious grant will enable Christopoulos and his collaborators from the USC Neurorestoration Center to map how the brain and spinal cord work together to control the bladder.

New DARPA-Funded Project Aims to Unravel the Brain’s Learning Secrets

Jul 31, 2025A USC Viterbi team will lead the study that could inform future diagnoses for neurological disorders and the development of next-generation bio-inspired AI.

Hangbo Zhao Receives Prestigious NSF CAREER Award for Advanced Manufacturing Research

Jul 30, 2025The $546,713 award will support Zhao’s pioneering work in high-resolution manufacturing of stretchable electronics.

New Discovery Reveals the Spinal Cord’s Role in Bladder Control

Jul 28, 2025A first-of-its-kind study offers hope for future treatments of urinary incontinence caused by neurological disorders, aging and other conditions.

Unlocking the Brain’s Filing Cabinet

Jul 21, 2025USC researchers have discovered how the human brain organizes its visual memories through precise neural timing.

Qifa Zhou Honored for Contributions to the Biomedical Ultrasound Field

Jul 01, 2025The 16th International Conference on Ultrasound Engineering for Biomedical Applications in South Korea recognized Zhou, an expert in high-frequency ultrasound imaging technology.

Could Open-Source Medical Devices Transform Healthcare?

Jun 24, 2025USC Viterbi researchers examine how an open-source approach is changing the game for the medical device sector, accelerating research and bringing benefits to patients.

A Game-Changing Wireless Implant for Personalized Chronic Pain Relief

Jun 23, 2025USC researchers have developed a groundbreaking ultrasound device that could reduce our reliance on addictive painkillers.

New Nanoparticle Weapon in the Fight Against Cardiovascular and Kidney Disease

May 21, 2025The Chung Lab has engineered a new therapeutically enhanced, naturally derived particle for powerful gene therapies to tackle our most significant health challenges.

Excellence, Curiosity, Character: The Graduates of the USC Viterbi Class of 2025

May 19, 2025At the USC Viterbi undergraduate commencement ceremony, the next generation of engineers are encouraged to advance technology that solves the world's grand challenges.

“You Are Agents of Change”: The USC Viterbi Master’s Class of 2025

May 19, 2025At the USC Viterbi master's commencement ceremonies, Dean Yannis C. Yortsos praised graduates on the "singular achievement" of earning their master's degree.

“Building A Better World:” Dean Yannis C. Yortsos Tells Graduates They Will Make A Difference

May 15, 2025The 2025 Ph.D. Hooding and Awards Ceremony honors 150 new graduates and Haotian Hang, winner of this year's best Ph.D. thesis

Leaping Lizards! Class of 2025 Grad Looks to Reptiles to Help ACL Injuries

May 15, 2025Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering graduating senior Alex Kuncz is studying how lizards regenerate their tails to improve orthopedic treatments.

The Student Senator Making an Impact in Women’s Health

May 14, 2025Class of 2025 biomedical engineering graduate Emilia Bletsas reflects on her path at USC Viterbi.

Wearable Smart Lactation Pad Detects Chemicals and Nutrients in Breast Milk

May 12, 2025A BME graduate student having her first baby inspired the research group to work on technology gaps in lactation health.

Engineering Pediatric Rehabilitation

Apr 30, 2025A Winning Innovation at ASBME's Make-A-Thon

The Biomedical Engineer Inspired by her Grandfather to Make a Difference

Apr 30, 2025Class of 2025 graduate Lauren Tomita is driven to support others, taking on a student leadership role as president of the Associated Students of Biomedical Engineering.

USC Viterbi’s CURVE Program Hosts Annual Student Research Showcase

Apr 29, 2025135 student presentations address health, security, sustainability and how to enrich life

New Insight into How the Brain Switches Gears Could Help Parkinson’s Patients

Apr 24, 2025Biomedical engineering research at USC has unraveled a mystery of motor control that could be a game-changer for disorders like Parkinson's and could aid in the development of bio-inspired systems.

USC Researchers Develop Plastic Substitute from Mineral Found in Seashells

Apr 15, 2025Biomedical engineers at USC Viterbi have created a new biocompatible material that is safe for marine life and avoids harmful microplastics.

Nurture More Important than Nature for Robotic Hands

Apr 06, 2025New paper from the ValeroLab shows that tactile sensors are less important than the order of learning experiences for embodied artificial intelligence.

New “Smart” Immune Cells: A Breakthrough for Long-Lasting Tumor Destruction

Apr 02, 2025USC Viterbi researchers have engineered a new immune cell that when activated by ultrasound can continuously sense and destroy cancer cells for extended periods.

Eun Ji Chung Elected as a 2025 AIMBE Fellow

Mar 31, 2025The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering recognized Chung for her extensive body of research in nanobiomaterials for drug delivery, diagnostics, and tissue restoration for disease applications.

The USC Sophomore Whose Algorithm is Helping Pediatric Cancer Patients

Mar 27, 2025New undergraduate research from biomedical engineering student Arjun Karnwal is being used by Children's Hospital Los Angeles to improve cancer radiation treatments.

A Long Sleep for a Long Life

Mar 12, 2025New USC Viterbi assistant professor Yaoheng Yang studies how safely induced artificial hibernation could improve our longevity.

Qifa Zhou to Receive Prestigious Golden Axon Leadership Award

Feb 10, 2025The Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics and World Brain Mapping Foundation will honor Zhou, an expert in high-frequency ultrasound imaging technology.

Revolutionizing Heart Care for Newborns

Dec 17, 2024Ellis Meng's team pioneers non-invasive shunt monitoring to improve survival rates for young patients with congenital heart defects

Three USC Viterbi Professors Named 2024 Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors

Dec 16, 2024Francisco Valero-Cuevas, Wei Wu and Theodore Tsotsis received the prestigious honor in recognition of their exceptional contributions to innovation, invention and technology.

New CRISPR Toolkit to Allow Remote-Controlled Genome Editing

Dec 02, 2024USC Viterbi biomedical engineers harness focused ultrasound to revolutionize CRISPR's capabilities to treat countless diseases.

Turning Memory Loss into a Distant Memory

Oct 30, 2024USC Viterbi and Keck School of Medicine of USC have been collaborating on human trials for a revolutionary brain prosthesis to repair and restore lost memories.

New Maker Space Helping Students Craft Life-Changing Medical Devices

Oct 24, 2024The Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering's new Innovation Space will be an incubator for the future of medical technology.

In Memoriam: George Bekey 1928 – 2024

Oct 18, 2024Legendary roboticist helped spark USC Viterbi’s rise to global prominence.

From Blood Tests to Brain Scans: How AI is Revolutionizing Alzheimer’s Research

Sep 19, 2024How advanced technology offers new hope in the fight against a devastating disease.

How Are Stretch Reflexes Modulated During Voluntary Movement?

Sep 18, 2024New computational theory sheds light on a longstanding question

Safeguarding Mental Health: USC team develops at-home test for lithium toxicity

Jul 17, 2024New low-cost test could be a game-changer for individuals with bipolar disorder and depression who rely on the drug for mental health

Forging Research Partnerships for Future Medical Breakthroughs

Jul 16, 2024New Mann Engineering in Medicine Pilot Grants program will build ongoing research collaborations between USC Viterbi School of Engineering and Keck School of Medicine of USC.

A Sound Revolution: How USC Viterbi Engineers Are Using Ultrasound To Restore Vision

Jun 27, 2024A USC research team utilizes non-invasive technologies to target degenerative visual impairments.

Unraveling the Mysteries of Stem Cells

Jun 18, 2024New research harnesses machine learning and imaging to give unprecedented insight into stem cell behavior that could enable future lifesaving therapies.

Shanechi-led USC Center for Neurotechnology Boosted by Grant From NIH BRAIN Initiative

May 21, 2024$5 million grant will develop multimodal AI and sensing technology for mental state tracking.

From Dreams to Degrees: USC Viterbi Class of 2024 Graduates Shape Tomorrow, Today

May 11, 2024At the forefront of engineering and technology, graduates like Christian Bryan redefine potential with degrees in cutting-edge fields and a commitment to lifelong exploration.

Master’s Class of 2024: “The Best So Far”

May 11, 2024At the USC Viterbi master’s commencement ceremonies, Dean Yannis C. Yortsos praised graduates’ resilience, ingenuity and integrity

Rachel.Amir Chatman’s Mission for Ethical Technology

May 10, 2024The BME Class of 2024 graduate who wants to make medical technology fairer for all patients.

Like Mother, Like Son

May 09, 2024Anthony Mouchawar Hopes to Realize His Mother's Dream And Attend Medical School

No More Needle Phobia: Personalized Medicine Just Got More Flexible

May 01, 2024Hangbo Zhao presents findings on highly stretchable and customizable microneedles for application in fields including neuroscience, tissue engineering, and wearable bioelectronics.

Turning a Tumor’s “Shield” into a Weapon Against Itself

Apr 22, 2024USC Viterbi biomedical engineers have designed a new protein that targets and disables tumor cells' defenses while marking cancer cells for death.

The Rotisserie-Inspired Device That Could Revolutionize Cancer Surgery

Apr 04, 2024USC Viterbi biomedical engineers have built an imaging device that harnesses nanoparticles to ensure a tumor has been entirely removed.

The Future of Health Research and Innovation at Grodins Symposium

Apr 01, 2024The 26th annual showcase featured the latest student research from the Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering.

A Green Light to Build Muscle Cells on Command

Mar 25, 2024USC Viterbi and Keck USC researchers, aided by Chan Zuckerberg Initiative grant, seek to control how cells grow into tissue, with game-changing applications in neuromuscular diseases and more.

New Prototype for Wearable Ultrasound Device to Measure Stiffness Changes in Deep Organs

Feb 15, 2024The device, developed by USC and MIT researchers, could be used to help monitor for prevention of acute liver failure

Nanoparticles “Hitchhike” on Immune Cells to Catch Cancer Metastasis Early

Feb 12, 2024USC Viterbi researchers have designed particles that can light up the lymph node cancer cells otherwise undetectable by MRI.

Being There

Jan 18, 2024While his friends went to high school football games, biomedical engineering student Dominic De La Torre cared for his ailing grandmother. He has no regrets.

Keck School | Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering News

Keck School | Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering
News