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In the F. Joseph Halcomb III, M.D. Department of Biomedical Engineering, we develop innovative technologies that apply engineering principles to medicine and biology and prepare students for an exciting career in a thriving industry. Within a short walking distance, students can collaborate with experts in our seven engineering departments, the Colleges of Medicine, Design, Dentistry, and Pharmacy and the top-ranked hospital in the state. It’s no wonder that our graduates rise to leadership positions in the medical device industry, academia and medicine.

Only BME program powered by Design Thinking

$7M Gift to the department from alumnus F. Joseph Halcomb III, M.D.

$70,258 Average starting salary (NACE 2023)

BME Research

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Because of the multidisciplinary nature of the biomedical engineering research projects, the faculty of the F. Joseph Halcomb III, M.D. Department of Biomedical Engineering collaborates with investigators in many units across the University of Kentucky campus, including the Colleges of Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Arts & Science; the Centers for Minimally Invasive Surgery, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy and Membrane Science and the Advanced Science and Technology Commercialization Center and Institute For Sustainable Manufacturing.

BME Department News

Ph.D. candidate wins Director's Award in 1-Minute Research Poster Pitch Competition

Pegah Safavi, a Ph.D. candidate in the F. Joseph Halcomb III, M.D. Department of Biomedical Engineering and member of the Biomedical Optics Lab, received the Director's Award in the Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurship (VACE)'s 1-minute Research Poster Pitch Competition at the Clinical Center for Translational Science (CCTS) Spring Conference, held earlier this month.

UK researchers develop groundbreaking microscopy technique to study cancer

Researchers at the University of Kentucky have introduced a novel microscopy technique that could revolutionize cancer research by providing an accessible, cost-effective way to study how cancer cells adapt to treatments. The National Institutes of Health-funded study, published in Biophotonics Discovery and featured on that publication’s cover, underscores its importance and potential impact on the field of oncology

UK Women’s Forum announces 31st annual Sarah Bennett Holmes Award winners

The University of Kentucky Women’s Forum announced the four winners of the 2025 Sarah Bennett Holmes Award at a celebratory luncheon March 26. Award winners, nominees and other invited guests heard remarks from UK President Eli Capilouto and a keynote address titled "Standing Strong — Empowering Women to Define Their Path," presented by Tukea Talbert, D.N.P.

Su awarded James F. Lafferty Faculty Fellowship in Biomedical Engineering

Ni Su, assistant professor in the F. Joseph Halcomb III, M.D. Department of Biomedical Engineering, has been awarded the James F. Lafferty Faculty Fellowship in Biomedical Engineering, effective July 1. 

PRD, Engineering students create products for the future of healthcare and electric mobility

Students from the University of Kentucky College of Design's Department of Product Design and the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering teamed up with UK HealthCare, and other industry professionals, to create innovative medical devices and products addressing critical challenges in other industries.

Outstanding biomedical graduate student featured by SPIE

Faezeh Akbari, a third-year Ph.D. candidate in the F. Joseph Halcomb III, M.D. Department of Biomedical Engineering, recently had her work selected as a featured article by the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).