Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons^™

Monitoring Streambank Morphology Using Iphone Lidar Technology, Lily C. Stitt

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Monitoring stream morphology is crucial for maintaining the health and safety of fluvial environments, particularly as these naturally dynamic systems are shifted out of equilibrium due to climate and land-use change. Quantifying changes in stream geometry are useful for infrastructure design, water quality assessment, water resource management, and stream restoration, among other applications. Traditional stream surveying methods contain numerous cost limitations that inhibit affordable and accessible stream surveying needed for evaluating stream geometry with high accuracy and larger spatial scales (>100s of ). In recent years, several advancements have been made in the use of Light Detection and Ranging …

Spectral Characterization Of Colorectal Cancer Using Excitation-Scanning Hyperspectral Imaging, Natalie Hadad

Honors Theses

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common and deadly cancers worldwide, with a lifetime risk of approximately one in twenty-three for men and one in twenty-five for women. Although early detection significantly improves survival, current diagnostic approaches such as tissue biopsy are invasive, reliant on subjective interpretation, have extended turnaround times, and risk missing flat or depressed lesions that are more difficult to detect than raised polyps. These limitations highlight the need for objective, minimally invasive technologies capable of detecting early tissue changes. This study investigates excitation-scanning hyperspectral imaging (Ex-HSI) as a label-free optical approach for identifying colorectal cancer–associated …

Mechanisms Of Synergy Between Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field (Nspef) And Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Discharge (Cap) In Pancreatic Cancer: The Role Of Ros-Mediated Oxidative Stress And Apoptosis, Zobia Minhas

Biomedical Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a highly lethal malignancy characterized by poor prognosis and resistance to conventional therapies. Novel treatment strategies are needed to overcome this resistance. Non-thermal physical modalities, including nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) and cold atmospheric pressure plasma discharge (CAP), have emerged as potential anticancer approaches; however, the mechanisms underlying their combined effects remain unclear.

This study evaluated whether nsPEF enhances CAP-induced cytotoxicity and investigated the associated molecular mechanisms using the murine Pan02 pancreatic cancer cell line. Cell viability was assessed by WST-1 metabolic activity assays and electric cell–substrate impedance sensing (ECIS). Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were …

A New Electroencephalography Electrode Design For Curly And Kinky Hair Types, Elena Butler

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Medical discrimination and implicit bias are present in both societal systems and into the design and validation of medical devices. Traditional electroencephalography (EEG) systems often fail to provide reliable physiological recordings on curly and kinky hair types (3B–4C), associated typically with Black American and others of African descent. EEG on these hair types often results in high electrode-scalp impedance, poor signal quality, and participant discomfort. Consequently, such technical biases contribute to the underrepresentation of these populations in neuroscience research and clinical diagnostics, while simultaneously limiting equitable access to EEG-based medical care.

To address this gap, a novel conductive electrode attachment …

Beyond Local Pathology: Exploring The Role Of Gut Microbiota In Chronic Low Back Pain Using An Integrated Behavioral And Microbiological Approach, Adan L. Redwine

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Chronic low back pain (LBP) affects millions worldwide, often originating from intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. While the gut microbiome modulates musculoskeletal pain, prior studies of the gut-disc axis have focused entirely on structural changes. This leaves a critical gap: does the microbiome influence the experience of discogenic pain? To answer this, an integrated approach using longitudinal gut microbiome profiling, machine learning-based behavioral phenotyping, and structural disc assessments in a rat model of discogenic LBP was utilized.

Female Sprague Dawley rats underwent one of four conditions: sham surgery, IVD injury, antibiotic-mediated microbiome depletion + IVD injury, or IVD injury + treatment …

Preclinical Animal Modeling To Investigate Redox-Mediated Molecular Dysfunction In Traumatic Brain Injury, Brandon Z. Mcdonald

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Impacts associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) induce a multitude of neurological morbidities mediated by a spread of biochemical dysfunction. Redox stress is a significant contributor to TBI pathophysiology and several redox stress markers have substantial evidence to support their role in diagnosing preclinical and clinical TBI. However, there is a critical need to verify their translational utility through correlations with behavioral, imaging, and molecular modalities. In chapter two, we examined the therapeutic efficacy of an antioxidant treatment (NPC3) using a controlled cortical impact (CCI) mouse model of TBI. NPC3 alleviated glial expression and reactivity while influencing the expression of …

An Experimental Study Of The Morphology Of Dna-Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Structures In Direct Dna Sequencing, Avery P. Davis

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Hybrid structures formed between single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) have emerged as promising components in future direct DNA sequencing technologies due to their unique morphological and electronic properties. The nanoscale configuration of these hybrids, including the DNA wrapping angle, pitch, and contour behavior, directly influences their potential for stable electronic readout. This thesis presents an experimental study of DNA-SWCNT hybrid morphology using a fixed, reproducible wrapping protocol designed to minimize environmental variability and isolate the influence of DNA nucleotide sequence on hybrid structure. As described in prior work, this protocol produces well-dispersed hybrids suitable for high-resolution imaging. …

Effects Of A Passive Assistive Hamstring Device On Overground Running Kinematics And Hamstring Activation., Quinn Castner

All Theses

Hamstring strain injuries are among the most common and recurring injuries in sports, occurring most often during the terminal swing phase of gait. Despite progress in rehabilitation, the incidence of injury has only increased, suggesting a need for a novel intervention. We designed a passive, assistive, wearable device with two specific criteria in mind: to offload the hamstrings during running, and do so without hindering normal kinematic patterns. The device consists of an adjustable elastic band anchored proximally at the waist and distally just above the ankle joint center. It stretches and shortens with the hamstrings, providing passive hip extension …

Fluorescence-Based Quantification Of Hepatic Ldl Uptake And Donor Hepatocyte Engraftment Using Atto 700–Labeled Ldl, Victor Agustin Cortes Flores

All Theses

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited disorder characterized by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) that increases the risk of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In severe FH, including low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), hepatic LDL clearance is profoundly impaired and many lipid lowering treatment strategies have limited effectiveness. Current advances in ex vivo CRISPR–Cas9 hepatocyte gene editing in vivo and ex vivo approaches for treatment of FH are under development.

However, a central barrier to translation is the ability to quantitatively measure the percentage of healthy gen edited hepatocytes in the liver while simultaneously assessing functional hepatic LDL handling. This thesis establishes …

Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage As A Model For Exploring The Effects Of Pain On Gait, Sydney Savage

All Theses

Persistent gait asymmetry following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is a recognized contributor to post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis, yet the independent role of pain in driving altered movement patterns remains poorly understood due to confounding factors inherent to clinical populations. This study used exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) as a controlled experimental model to isolate the effects of musculoskeletal pain on gait, independent of kinesiophobia, structural damage, and proprioceptive disruption. Eighteen healthy adults underwent unilateral eccentric calf-raise protocols to induce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), with gait assessed at baseline, 48 hours, and 168 hours post-exercise using bilateral inertial measurement units. Outcomes …

Design And Development Of A Perfusable Hydrogel Platform With Bioprinted Human-Endothelialized Microvascular Channels, Calvin A. Chernyatinskiy

All Theses

We developed an integrated bioprinting and perfusion platform to generate vascularized hydrogel constructs that support perfusable microchannel networks. Multiple hydrogel formulations, sacrificial ink systems, device geometries, and perfusion conditions were systematically evaluated to optimize print fidelity, mechanical stability, and cellular compatibility. Internally gelling alginate–calcium carbonate hydrogels were identified as a robust matrix, providing tunable gelation kinetics and structural stability during embedded printing. In parallel, Pluronic F-127 fugitive ink enabled reliable fabrication of continuous hollow channels due to its shear-thinning behavior and efficient post-print removal.

The finalized platform integrates stereolithographically fabricated perfusion chambers with extrusion-based bioprinting to produce three-dimensional, perfusable vascular …

Baseline Cervical Intervertebral Disc Biomechanics And Implications For Allograft Preservation, Nathan F. Buchweitz

All Dissertations

Neck pain has become an increasingly common orthopaedic healthcare issue. Evidence shows that degeneration of cervical intervertebral discs (the cartilage between the spinal vertebrae in the neck) may be associated. While disc degeneration in the lumbar spine has been extensively studied in relation to low back pain, it has received less attention in the cervical spine. Biomechanically, the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) regions of the spine differ in function. Lumbar discs resist a greater burden of body weight, whereas cervical discs are adapted for mobility to aid flexible head orientation. Despite these key differences, disc injury and degeneration …

Retrospective Analysis Of Implemented Project Management Within A Small-Scale Student Engineering Project: Beng Fountain Wars Team Case Study, Holli E. Jenkins

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

This honors thesis provides a retrospective analysis of how the 2025 inaugural University of Arkansas’s ASABE Fountain Wars Student Team could be improved through project management. Project commitment, early stakeholder influence, rich communication, and a detailed project plan are all attributes of successful projects, and the team’s strengths and weaknesses within these categories were determined through a team poll. After the poll was conducted, three methodologies, Agile, Hybrid, and Waterfall, were assessed to determine how they would effectively address the team’s weaknesses. A weighted objectives table was created to compare each methodology’s effectiveness across the management categories. The analysis revealed …

Multiscale Architecture Governs Stability In Suction-Actuated Variable Stiffness Catheters, Sheridan Lee

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Endovascular procedures require devices with widely varying mechanical properties: flexibility for navigating tortuous vessels and rigidity for stable therapeutic delivery. Suction-actuated variable stiffness sheaths address this challenge by incorporating axial wire string arrays that mechanically couple under suction to increase flexural rigidity. However, prototype devices achieve stiffening ratios below theoretical predictions, suggesting that interlayer mechanics and string positioning play a critical role. This study investigates whether interweaving polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape within the string array enhances flexural rigidity modulation and curvature stability. Prototype devices with varying wrap configurations were fabricated and evaluated using flexural testing, curvature stability testing, and mathematical modeling. …

Investigation Into The Effects Of Moderate-Dose Radiation On Ligament Biomechanics, Andrew Landefeld

All Theses

Recent advances in arthritis treatment pin ionizing X-ray radiation as a useful tool in reducing joint pain and immune response. However, due to a lack of fundamental research in the effects of low-dose ionizing radiation on tendon and ligament biomechanics, the safety of these studies is rather unknown. While most related studies investigated cellular response to low dose treatment, surrounding tissue physiology is left out of the picture. Additionally, moderate range doses of irradiation are rarely studied, as most uses of radiation on tendons and ligaments are for sterilization of cadaver tendons for allografts. This study provides a preliminary investigation …

The Impact Of Dipeptides On Product Quality In Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells, Louise C. Herman

All Theses

Biopharmaceuticals are medicines produced in cells which are used to treat diseases such as cancer. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) represent the majority of approved biotherapeutics. MAbs are mostly produce using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. CHO cells are favored for resiliency, scalability, and established safety, and are considered the “workhorse” organism for biopharmaceuticals.  Amino acids are a key component of cell culture media, however several amino acids have solubility limits, such as cysteine, cystine, and tyrosine.  At neutral pH, these amino acids are poorly soluble.  However, dipeptides, such as N,N'-di-L-Alanyl-L-Cystine (ACCA) have been reported to increase cysteine and cystine availability. Further, …

Development Of Low-Cost Triaxial Force Sensor For Measurement Of Human-Exoskeleton Interaction Forces, Hamdan Khan Sarvathullah

All Theses

Contemporary research suggests that shear force is a major contributor to discomfort and pressure injury. However, the variation of shear forces during human-exoskeleton interaction dynamics is a highly unexplored field. The high cost of commercial triaxial force sensors may be a major factor in the notable lack of research in this field. Therefore, in this paper, we present a low-cost, 3D-printed triaxial force sensor designed specifically to measure the triaxial interaction forces between an exoskeleton and its user. The triaxial force sensor uses Carbon-Black/Silicone Rubber (CB/SR) strings to measure shear forces, whereas the normal force is measured with a Force …

A Webcam Eye Tracking Infrastructure For Software Engineering Tasks, Zachary M. Kozak

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Performing eye tracking utilizing commodity webcams has been explored for over a decade, but limited camera quality and sensitivity to head movements have hindered its adoption in research settings. Recent advances in consumer-grade webcams and machine learning methods present an opportunity to improve the accuracy of webcam eye tracking and extend the feasibility of studies beyond controlled laboratory environments.

Current popular webcam eye tracking methods restrict implementations to the browser and rely on continuous user interactions for calibration, limiting the kinds of studies that can be conducted. This thesis presents a feature-based gaze prediction system that incorporates eye geometry and …

Picc-Pal: A Support Band For Independent Picc Line Use, Kylie Luker

Honors Theses

This project presents the design and evaluation of PICC-PAL, a wearable assistive device intended to improve independence and usability for patients managing peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC lines) at home. Current at-home PICC line management often requires help due to the fine motor skills needed to connect and secure tubing. This increases reliance on caregivers and introduces potential risks such as infection and dislodgement. Through stakeholder analysis, prior art evaluation, and iterative prototyping, a device was developed to stabilize the PICC line lumen and enable one-handed connection of medical tubing. Throughout the project, multiple design concepts were explored, with the …

Quantitative Fluorescence Imaging Using A Paired Agent Approach For Improving Surgical Decision Making, Sanjana Pannem

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Surgical resection remains to be the cornerstone of treatment for most solid tumors, where the primary objective is to remove all visible and microscopic disease. However, the extent of tumor resection is inherently limited by the surgeon’s ability to distinguish tumor from normal tissue, intraoperatively. As a result, positive surgical margins (PSM), where residual tumor remains after surgery, are a common occurrence and are associated with increased recurrence, need for adjuvant therapies, dismal patient outcomes, and high healthcare costs.

Fluorescence guided surgery (FGS) has emerged as a promising technique to enhance intraoperative visualization of tumors and may help reduce the …

An Evaluation Of Total Navicular Implants: A Scoping Review, James Mcclure Hughes, Nicholas Belardo Obias, Amanda Killeen

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety profile of total navicular implants based on current literature.

Navicular insults such as high-energy trauma, osteonecrosis, and Muller-Weiss syndrome may result in avascular necrosis or a critical sized bone defect, conditions that are highly difficult to manage given current treatment modalities. Total navicular implants may offer a solution to these problems. While 3D printing of implants remains investigational, its use in highly individualized cases involving the talus has had promising results with conditions like avascular necrosis, tumors, trauma, and arthritis. The navicular is unique in its attachments to …

Vitasense: Noninvasive Physiological Signal Measurement From Video Data, Ava Dorow, Justin Mcparland, Ashley Schindler

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Student Publications

• Heart rate monitoring enables proactive patient care
• Imaging Photoplethysmography (iPPG) enables noncontact measurement 
• Improves access to remote and virtual care

Biopulse: Split Hopkinson (Kolsky) Bar, Andrew Carr, Sebastian Deniz, Rachel Hizon, Stefan Paton

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Student Publications

A Split Hopkinson (Kolsky) Bar is a device used to find a material’s mechanical response under high strain rate loading scenarios (10² – 10⁴ s⁻¹) [1]. It is commonly used to simulate vehicle crashes or ballistic impacts. The novelty of the device is its size and cost of its components compared to other SPHBs on the market. The motivation is to further the capabilities on campus by providing the first dynamic material testing device.

Biostress: An Engineered Platform For Detecting Cellular Damage Upon Mechanical Impact, Lindsay Avila, Nina Fiordaliso, Mai Tran

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Student Publications

Mechanical impact stimuli are commonly associated with cellular damage and lower cell survival rates. However, mild impacts can promote responses that are adaptive. The heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is a stressinducible protein that serves as an early biomarker for cellular stress. The relationship between impact severity and cellular response remains unclear.

Clear Aligner Overcorrection To Reduce Incisor Tipping | In Vitro, Benjamin Losch, Eddie Wawrzycki-Stein, Kylie Stong, Niko Burger

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Student Publications

Quantify the biomechanical effects of overcorrection angles on tipping angle and periodontal moment during incisior retractions using both in vitro experiments and finite element analysis (FEA).

C-Side: Concussion Sideline Injury Detection And Evaluation, Emily Acampora, Emma Angelo, Kyle Burden

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Student Publications

Concussion are a form of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), affecting an estimated 3.8 million Americans anually. Athletes are particularly susceptible to incurring concussions. Current diagnostic methods are timeconsuming and rely primarily on subjective measures.

Cardio Clarity -Wearable Cardiac Monitoring, Kaitlyn Dunn, Matthew Kotze, Emily Matheson, Caroline Moore

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Student Publications

Purpose: Develop a low-cost wearable system for an accessible cardiac monitoring platform

Cardiosync: Real-Time Pid Control Of Lvad Hemodynamics, Brendan Bouchard, Morgan Brenner, Panagiotis Vasileiadis, Michaela Wittman

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Student Publications

Goals:

Develop a real-time, closed-loop control system for autonomous LVAD RPM adjustment. Minimize clinician reliance, reducing hospital visits and healthcare costs. Improve patient independence and quality of life. Maintain stable hemodynamic performance and reduce complications. Reduce patient mortality

Ocusensus: Real-Time Force Detection Strabismus Hook, Asa Barnhart, Niko Burger, Patricia Carrelo-Creque, Kristie Fonseca

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Student Publications

Strabismus affects approximately 2–5% of the general population [1]. Primary treatment is (strabismus) surgery but current methods result in approximately 36% of patients undergoing reoperation within 5 years [2]. One factor proposed to contribute towards reoperation is insufficient force applied to extraocular muscles during surgery. Excessive force triggers the oculocardiac reflex (OCR) which lowers heart rate by >20%[3]

Plant Growth Promoting Phenotypes Of Fungal Isolates From The International Space Station, Shane Doyle, Frances A. Edmonson

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

• In situ (on site) space crop production is vital for sustainability and dietary health of astronauts. 
• We hypothesize that International Space Station (ISS) derived fungal isolates will stimulate plant growth and express PGP phenotypes.
• Eleven space-viable fungi were screened via phenotypic testing to identify plant growthpromoting (PGP) activity.
• Prior research has been conducted solely with ISS derived bacteria, while ISS fungi are unexplored, which could reveal new or improved symbiotic relationships and growth factors.