Research Centers and Laboratories
The Department of Biomedical Engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology has a number of multi-disciplinary research centers and specialized laboratories that focus on cutting-edge technologies with applications in biomedicine and the life sciences.
At CIBM3, our goal is to help soldiers and citizens by understanding how blasts and blunt forces cause concussions and traumatic brain injuries. Our objectives are to study the effects of blast waves or pressure pulses on a human head without a protective helmet (experiments and simulation). To develop a multi-scale constitutive model of helmet. skull, and brain-based on experiments and modeling. Further we simulate the effect of pressure and impact loading on deformation and damage.
Current Research is focused on:
- Characterization of Shock Tubes
- Neurophysiology and Behavioral Outcomes
- Biomedical and Molecular Characterization
- Blood-Brain Barrier Damage
- Animal injury models
- Blast and Blunt Injury studies
CIBM3 is located at CHEN & GITC, on the NJIT campus.
The long-term goal of the Center for Brain Imaging is to better understand human brain functioning using integrative neuroimaging and statistical and computational modeling methods. We believe it is essential to understand the complexity of brain function and its development in order to develop effective treatments. We have four research themes: human brain functional patterns and their development; reliable neuroimaging measures; functional patterns in animal models; the links between specific psychological processes and brain function and the means by which mental and neurodegenerative diseases disrupt brain function. We use modern neuroimaging techniques (MRI, fMRI, PET, fNRIS) to map the three levels of intrinsic functional brain architecture – regions; subnetworks; and the entire brain. We then direct our investigations to brain development within different stages of life, to computational simulation of the brain’s neural connections and to clinical psychology and psychiatry guided by our neuroimaging results. We are working on several disease models, including Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia and autism, as well as on the effects of aging and spinal cord injury.
Current Research is focused on:
- Human brain functional patterns and their development
- Reliable neuroimaging measures
- Functional patterns in animal models
- Links between specific psychological processes and brain function and the means by which mental and neurodegenerative diseases disrupt brain function.
The Center for Brain Imaging is located on the 6th floor of Fenster Hall, NJIT.
Dr. Alvarez's team is the first to quantify how vision rehabilitation evokes neuroplasticity for people with convergence insufficiency, a visual dysfunction presented in almost 50% of individuals living with TBI (traumatic brain injuries). Our team conducted a study and quantified changes from vision rehabilitation through improvements in oculomotor behavior and functional MRI.
Current Research is focused on:
- Vision Rehabilitation
- Studying visual dysfunction in individuals living with TBI
- Treatment to regain oculomotor function
Director Vision and Neural Engineering Laboratory
Distinguished Professor, Biomedical Engineering
The Vision and Neural Engineering Laboratory is located on the 6th floor of Fenster Hall, NJIT.
The main focus of our group is to study neural control of movement in health and disease and to design, develop, and test novel systems and technology-based approaches to neurorehabilitation. We are currently running two clinical trials where we use robotics and computer games to facilitate the recovery of arm and hand function after stroke. My long-term objective is to translate principles of neuroscience into evidence-based interventions that clinicians can use to rehabilitate patients with brain disorders. We are focusing on various brain imaging modalities (EEG, fNIRS, fMRI) and non-invasive brain stimulation (electrical and magnetic, including paired associative stimulation) to investigate the patterns of brain reorganization in response to therapeutic interventions.
Current Research is focused on:
- Neurorehabilitation after stroke
- Neural mechanisms of human motion
- Magnetic and electrical brain stimulation
- Paired associative stimulation
- Virtual and augmented reality
- Robotics and gaming in rehabilitation
- EEG as a tool to predict brain reorganization after stroke
- Neural mechanisms of dual-tasking
Director, Center for Rehabilitation Robotics
Director, Neuromotor Behavior and Neurorehabilitation Engineering Lab
Professor, Biomedical Engineering
The Neuromotor Behavior and Neurorehabilitation Laboratory is located on the 6th floor of Fenster Hall, NJIT
The goal of the CNN Lab directed by Dr. Li is to fill the gaps in the field of Neurobiology and Neuroimaging, especially the lack of systematic construction of models for quantitative neurobiological criteria that can aid clinical diagnoses of cognitive dimensional deficits associated with severe brain disorders.
The research of the CNN Lab focuses on development and implementations of analytic and statistic models for providing quantitative biological criteria that help diagnosis of cognitive deficits, by integrating high-dimensional multi-modal MR neuroimaging, clinical and behavioral data and refined imaging analysis and machine learning techniques.
Director Computational Neuroanatomy and Neuroinformatics Laboratory
Professor, Biomedical Engineering
The Computational Neuroanatomy and Neuroinformatics Laboratory is located on the 6th floor of Fenster Hall, NJIT
The primary research thrust in NPL is to develop novel neuromodulation and translational neural prosthetic approaches to help restore function in disabilities resulting from an injury to the CNS, such as spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, or stroke. The accompanying neuroscience motivation is to increase our knowledge about the role of the cerebellum and the spinal cord in motor coordination and sensory-motor integration.
Current Research is focused on:
- Neuromodulation of the Cerebellum
- Transcranial AC Stimulation (tACs)
- Focused Ultrasound (FUS) Stimulation
- Sensory-Motor Content of Cerebellar Signals
The Neural Prosthetics Laboratory is located on the 6th floor of Fenster Hall, NJIT.
The AI, Imaging, and Medicine (AIM) Lab focuses on developing novel imaging and AI technologies for brain diseases. These technology improve detection and outcome predictions for brain injuries. We also focus on designing medical devices to make brain surgeries safer and easier.
Current Research is focused on:
- The intersections of AI, Imaging, and Medicine
- Detection and outcome predictions of brain injuries
Director AI, Imaging, and Medicine (AIM) Lab
Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering
The AI, Imaging, and Medicine Lab is located at EDC2 Building, NJIT
The Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Laboratory focuses on understanding the fundamental mechanisms and mechanics of cardiovascular development and disease and translating these insights into therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular repair. We develop in vitro human cardiovascular tissue models through the integrated use of stem cells, biomaterials, and biomimetic bioreactors. These models recapitulate physiological development as well as pathological conditions, such as myocardial infarction and diabetic cardiomyopathy, enabling us to investigate how cellular, molecular, and biophysical cues regulate cardiac and microvascular function. By examining the dynamic interactions between cells and their extracellular environment, we seek to uncover mechanisms of disease progression and identify potential targets for repair.
Current Research is focused on:
- Cardiovascular tissue engineering
- Crosstalk between cardiovascular cells and immune cells
- Cardiac senescence
Director Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Lab
Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering
The Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Lab is located on the 3rd floor of the York building, NJIT
Development of novel biofabrication tools for microfluidic organs-on-chips and regenerative medicine.
Current Research is focused on:
- Fabrication of hydrogel microfluidic chip
- Bioprinting
- Medical devices to deliver drug-loaded hydrogels
Director Advanced Biofabrication Laboratory
Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering
The Advanced Biofabrication Laboratory is located on the 3rd floor of the CHEN building, NJIT
The Life Sciences Motion Capture Lab is a collaborative space to study human movement, neuromusculoskeletal disorders, sports performance, and robotic technology. The lab is a hub for interdisciplinary research, with teams of engineers, scientists, and clinicians conducting a broad range of experiments using motion capture techniques to address important societal needs. The lab provides state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to train the next generation of engineers and scientists through hands-on research and education.
Current Research is focused on:
- Aging and motor control
- Cerebral palsy gait
- Human performance database
- Exoskeleton assisted locomotion
- Spinal cord injury rehabilitation
- Biomechanics of baseball pitching
The Life Sciences Motion Capture Lab is located on the 3rd floor of Life Sciences and Engineering Center, NJIT
The BioDynamics Group focuses on wearable robotics and exoskeletons, computational biomechanics, digital human modeling, and personalized medicine. Our research aims to develop intelligent wearable assistive technologies that enhance human mobility, rehabilitation, and physical performance. We design and evaluate robotic exoskeletons and human-centered assistive systems through the integration of biomechanics, computational modeling, and AI. In parallel, we develop advanced computational methods and software to simulate and analyze biomechanical loading in biological systems under normal, extreme, and injury-related conditions
Current Research is focused on:
- Wearable robotics and exoskeletons
- Computational biomechanics
- Digital human modeling
- Personalized medicine
The BioDynamics Lab is located on the 6th floor of Fenster Hall, NJIT
The Buffone Cellular Motion Lab is based in the Biomedical Engineering department at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Our research lies at the intersection of Glycobiology, Cell Migration, Mechanobiology, and Engineering. Our lab utilizes a combination of CRISPR genetic engineering, microfluidics, and models of acute inflammation. We study how both cancer and immune cells interact and move in their environment. By disrupting the cell surface, mechanosensitive receptors, and glycocalyx composition, our ultimate goal is to fine-tune and precisely control cell migration for therapeutic benefit during disease states.
Current Research is focused on:
- Mechanosensitive receptors
- Cell migration
- CRISPR genetic engineering
Director Buffone Cellular Motion Laboratory
Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
The Buffone Cellular Motion Laboratory is located on the 3rd floor of the CHEN building, NJIT
Our lab is focused on the interfacial design of self-assembling colloids and nanostructures for a variety of medical applications. There are two major sides to the lab. On one side, we make functional particles (microbubbles and nanodroplets) that can both be imaged under clinical ultrasound, bind to specific receptors, and deliver therapeutic agents to areas of interest in the body. Examples include delivery of therapeutic gases to treat traumatic brain injury and detection of cancer and other biomarkers. We are interested in exploring different ultrasound-controlled colloidal delivery mechanisms through the blood brain barrier to treat different forms and levels of brain injury. On the other side, we design and express recombinant proteins to assemble into micelles and vesicles for use as antimicrobial therapeutics. For instance, we have demonstrated the inactivation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus using such recombinant nanostructures. We are interested in generating libraries of multifunctional proteins to fight a variety of microbes and microbial toxins.
Current Research is focused on:
- Ultrasound contrast agents
- Recombinant protein self-assembly
- Brain injury
- Viral infectious disease treatment
- Nano-bio-interfaces
Director Bio-Colloids and Interfacial Engineering (BIEN) Laboratory
Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
The Bio-Colloids and Interfacial Engineering (BIEN) Laboratory is located on the 3rd floor of the CHEN Building and in GITC, NJIT
Our research objective is to better elucidate the mechanisms behind tissue innervation and soft tissue reconstruction. Specifically, we focus on fabricating tissue systems from a variety of biopolymers to generate neurovascular and skeletal muscle tissue mimetics to enhance regeneration and innervation in incidents of traumatic injury, neuropathy, or genetic disorders both in in vitro systems and in vivo.
Current Research is focused on:
- Neural Engineering and Neurovascular Interactions
- Skeletal Muscle Tissue Engineering
- Biomaterial Customization
Director Tissue Innervation and Muscle Mimetics Laboratory
Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
The Tissue Innervation and Muscle Mimetics Laboratory is located on the 2nd floor of the CHEN building, NJIT
Our research focuses on the design, synthesis, and characterization of innovative theranostic nanomaterials and their applications in sensing, imaging, drug delivery, and therapy. We develop both organic and inorganic nanostructures and investigate their unique physicochemical and optical properties to address unmet challenges in biomedical research and develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Current Research is focused on:
- Complex metal nanoparticles for biofilm diagnosis and treatment
- Plasmonic nanoparticles for biomedical imaging and sensing
- Bacteriophage-nanomaterial theranostic platforms
- UV-absorbing bacteriophages for sustainable UV protection
- Brain-targeted nanomedicine for neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders
Director Nanotechnology, Imaging, and Infectious Diseases Laboratory
Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
The Nanotechnology, Imaging, and Infectious Diseases Laboratory is located on the 2nd floor of the CHEN building, NJIT
The Brain Stimulation Laboratory develops and applies noninvasive brain stimulation technologies to measure and modulate human brain function. Our work combines transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), and other physiological measures to build biomarkers of brain health and to create personalized, closed-loop neuromodulation approaches. We also develop AI-guided neurotechnologies that automate and personalize brain stimulation. Our research addresses several clinical conditions including chronic pain, traumatic brain injury, alcohol use disorder, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Current Research is focused on:
- TMS-EEG and TMS-EMG methodology
- Closed-loop and brain-state-dependent neuromodulation
- AI-guided neurotechnology
- Multimodal biomarker development
Director Brain Stimulation Laboratory
Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
The Brain Stimulation Laboratory is located on the 4th floor of VentureLink (105 Lock St)
The CNAlab at NJIT is to address the question of "How can we improve reduced motor function in older adults and in individuals with central nervous system injuries?" To address this long-term question, we focus on three key areas: 1) Investigating neuromuscular mechanisms of motor impairments; 2) Developing non-invasive, more practical tools for an objective assessment of neuromuscular properties and of motor functions; and 3) Exploring neuromuscular adaptations to sensorimotor stimulations to develop more targeted intervention strategies. Ultimately, our discoveries will provide fundamental knowledge that will be helpful for researchers/clinicians to quantify neuromuscular properties and motor impairments in a more practical manner and to design more effective rehabilitation interventions in clinical practice that can prevent the development of motor impairments and help them improve motor function and thus quality of life.
Current Research is focused on:
- Muscle weakness
- Neuromuscular adaptation
- Motor unit behavior
- Ultrasound imaging
- Rehabilitation engineering
- Artificial intelligence
Director Clinical Neuromuscular Adaptation Laboratory (CNAlab)
Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
The Clinical Neuromuscular Adaptation Laboratory (CNAlab) is located on the 6th floor of Fenster Hall, NJIT
The MI2 Lab focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, biomedical imaging, and healthcare. The lab is particularly interested in brain-inspired AI, which seeks to bridge biological and artificial intelligence and explore the fundamental nature of intelligence itself. We leverage the latest AI techniques, e.g., world model and large-scale foundation models, to tackle real-world biomedical and clinical challenges, such as data/annotation scarcity, model reliability and interpretability. Another key area of interest is biomedical image and signal analysis. We develop data driven methods to analyze and interpret these complex signals, with applications in brain function mapping, computation neuroscience, cancer and neurological disease research.
Current Research is focused on:
- Brain-inspired AI
- World model and large-scale foundation models
- Biomedical image and signal analysis
Director Machine Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (MI2) Lab
Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
The MI2 Lab is located on the 4th floor of Fenster Hall, NJIT
This center assists researchers in building micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) devices for a variety of applications.Bio-MEMS is an important focal point for the department.
Current Research is focused on:
- Bio-sensors and Microfluidics
- MEMS
- Material & device characterization
- Cell-based assays
Microfabrication Innovation Center is located in Microelectronics Center, NJIT, Newark, NJ 07103