Gladfelter, a Duke Health Distinguished Professor of Cell Biology and Biomedical Engineering, is a quantitative cell biologist interested in fundamental mechanisms of cell organization. Learn more about her interdisciplinary research, which encompasses obstetrics & gynecology, biomedical engineering, and cell biology. 

Dear Colleagues,

With graduation behind us and the summer ahead of us, I'd like to take a moment to reflect on the stellar achievements of our community over the spring semester. First, I'd like to congratulate our recent graduates on their outstanding work. Duke BME celebrated 59 PhD graduates this year, which was the largest of any program in Duke's history! I know these students will continue their impressive work as they move into the next phase of their careers. 

I'd like to draw attention to Amy Gladfelter's recent election to the National Academy of Sciences! Amy was recognized for her cross-disciplinary approach to investigate how cells that have multiple nuclei organize and function, such as the cells formed in the placenta during pregnancy. 

I'm also thrilled to celebrate other members of our community, including Emma Chory, who recently received the prestigious Hartwell Grant, and several of our current graduate students who earned prestigious fellowships. 

I hope you enjoy reading about their success. 

Sharon Gerecht, PhD
Chair of Biomedical Engineering, Paul M. Gross Distinguished Professor

In research that appeared in Cell Biomaterials, Ashutosh Chilkoti and his team showed that a new oral drug delivery approach could protect GLP-1s from destruction in the stomach. Find out how. 

Tuan Vo-Dinh and researchers at the Duke Cancer Institute are exploring a faster, less invasive way to detect and analyze head and neck cancers using light and machine learning. Learn more about this collaborative research. 

Chory will use robotic platforms to synthesize molecules capable of reaching key proteins affiliated with “undruggable” pediatric cancers. Read about the exciting possibilities of this work.

Gerecht was recognized for her trailblazing stem cell and vascular bioengineering research, and her steadfast mentorship to young scientists. Learn more about this impressive recognition.

Whether it was developing low-cost health technologies or working on overdose prevention efforts, Pranav Mukund was able to explore all that Duke BME had to offer. Read more about his student experience. 

The highly competitive national and university-based awards will help graduate students conduct impactful biomedical research. Click through to see the full list of awardees. 

Check out this conversation with Daniel Reker, where he chats about his research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, chemistry, nanomedicine, drug delivery, and personalized medicine.

Duke BME had 59 PhD graduates this year–the largest graduate class of any program! 

Follow @DukeEngineering on Instagram for more!

“Duke has been a place that has given me the drive I needed to chase my own goals. I’m leaving here with so many connections and support systems to help me succeed, and I think that’s the value of a Duke BME degree.”

—GRADUATING SENIOR PRANAV MUKUND

on how his time in Duke BME gave him the support and confidence to pursue work capable of making a global impact 

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