PhD in Biomedical Engineering - Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials in Ithaca United States | Cornell University

The program offers extensive interdisciplinary research and educational pathways culminating in a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. It blends engineering principles with life sciences to equip graduates for academic, industrial, and governmental careers. The curriculum spans molecular to macroscopic biomedical engineering, covering five key research domains: biomedical instrumentation, drug delivery systems, metabolic design, biomaterials, computational biology, and medical biomechanics. Students access cutting-edge facilities such as the Cornell Nanofabrication Facility, NSF Nanobiotechnology Center, CHESS synchrotron, Cornell Theory Center, Biotechnology Advanced Technology Center, and the Biomechanics Department at Hospital for Special Surgery.

Prospective Biomedical Engineering students should possess an engineering background. The program provides rigorous research training while requiring minors in both engineering and life sciences. Core coursework includes a year-long Foundations of Biomedical Engineering sequence, advanced biological systems analysis, additional bioengineering electives, and mandatory seminars. Ph.D. candidates complete a six-week clinical rotation at Weill Medical College and a teaching requirement. Master's students take the Foundations course, two seminar terms, and typically four to five supplementary engineering and life science courses. Note that requirements may change.

Cornell's biomedical engineers develop innovative biomaterial systems for tissue regeneration, disease modeling, and pharmaceutical testing. These engineered platforms also enable targeted drug delivery, medical imaging enhancement, and gene therapy applications. The university's tissue engineering initiatives benefit from collaborative expertise across materials science, cellular biology, biochemistry, and biomechanics. Supporting infrastructure includes the Materials Research Center, NanoScale Facility, Nanobiotechnology Center, and the NIH Physical Sciences Oncology Center focused on cancer metabolism. Numerous projects involve collaboration with Weill Cornell Medicine faculty.