Biomedical Engineering: Drug Delivery Innovations

Quick Facts

Ages: 14–17

To participate in the residential experience, students must be at least 15 years old.

Grades: Rising ninth graders through rising 12th graders

Dates: July 7–July 18

Time: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Location: Mies Campus

Format: Overnight and Daytime

Duration: Two Weeks

Cost: $3,000 for Overnight; $2,000 for Daytime

Topic Area

Biomedical Engineering

Program Description

This two-week intensive summer program will allow students to explore areas of biomedical engineering in greater depth and learn how math and science provide a basis for biomedical innovation. Specifically, in the first week, the main objective is to expose students to smart drug delivery systems using hydrogels, beads, and nanomaterials to understand how biomedical engineers interface with the field of pharmaceutical science. In the second week, the focus will shift toward physiological measurements, and students will use electrophysiology laboratory equipment and software to measure and analyze their heart activity, muscle, and brain electrical signals to learn how biomedical engineers interface with the world of physiology.

Schedule

Week	Date	Activity
1	July 7, 2025	In-Class Activities: Introduction to the program and a lecture on safety Practice quiz on lab safety Introduction to quantification methods Lab Activities: Preparation of a standard curve of vitamin B12 and UV quantification
	July 8, 2025	In-Class Activities: Introduction to protein quantification methods Discussion in class of the new terminology heard in the lecture Lab Activities: Testing of protein concentration using Bradford and BCA assays
	July 9, 2025	In-Class Activities: Introduction to biomaterials and hydrogel classification Small group discussion on the application of hydrogels in drug delivery Lab Activities: Preparation of physical hydrogels Preparation of chemical hydrogels
	July 10, 2025	In-Class Activities: Introduction to micro and nanomaterials for drug delivery Data discussion with the instructor Lab Activities: Preparation of alginate beads with different calcium chloride concentrations
	July 11, 2025	In-Class Activities: Introduction to alternative strategies to create formulations for drug delivery Small group discussion on activities and results of the week Lab Activities: Preparation of interpenetrating networks Preparation of nanocomposite materials
Week	Date	Activity
2	July 14, 2025	In-Class Activities: Review of the activities of the previous week Practice quiz on activities of the previous week Introduction to the concept of drug release and key parameters to control the diffusion of drugs Lab Activities: Preparation of vitamin B12 physical vs chemical hydrogels Perform release of vitamin B12 from both formulations
	July 15, 2025	In-Class Activities: Introduction to statistical and data analysis Group work to analyze data Lab Activities: Preparation of vitamin B12-loaded beads Perform release at different pH values
	July 16, 2025	Lab Activities: Group work to analyze data Group work on creating slides in class In-Class Activities: Presentation of the data by students
	July 17, 2025	In-Class Activities: Introduction to physiological measurements Overview of skeletal muscle physiology Lab Activities: Muscle twitch experiment Muscle fatigue experiment Biceps and triceps contraction
	July 18, 2025	In-Class Activities: Overview of cardiovascular and brain physiology Overview of the concepts learned in the second week Lab Activities: EEG recordings Blood pulse recordings ECG recordings Final survey of the course

Activities

Lectures that introduce students to the topic related to the hands-on activities
Discussion activities to help students reflect on the new terms and concepts introduced
Preparation of hydrogels with different polymers and crosslinkers
Quantification of proteins and other model molecules using spectroscopy techniques
Analysis of physiological data using electrodes
Small presentations to showcase their experience

Benefits

Students will gain hands-on experience and learn technical skills by performing experiments in the laboratory
Students will learn how to work in teams and collaborate in data analysis
Students will gain a preliminary exposure to the field of drug delivery applied to biomedical engineering problems
Students will gain a better perspective of what type of careers opportunities are possible by pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering

Eligibility and Program Requirements

No prior experience is required!