Biotechology and Human Health

Biotechnology and Human Health

Biotechnology and Human Health

Our faculty apply chemical engineering principles to biological problems in human health, energy, environment, agriculture and food processing. We aim to understand the fundamentals of how biological and biomimetic systems function and create tools, methods and processes that provide new functionality or scale. Recent research efforts by our faculty include synthetic biology and bioprocess design of plant-based biopharmaceuticals, energy and materials (Jeoh, McDonald, Nandi, Sun); formation, mechanics, adsorption and rheology of biological membranes and cells (Heinrich, Kuhl, Longo, Parikh), transport related to viruses, blood cells, the brain and food surfactants (Dungan, Ristenpart, Wan); development of systems that enable measurement and control of proteins, membranes, cells, tissues, organs and plants (Block, George, Kuhl, Longo, Marcu, McDonald, Nandi, Seker, Shah, Silva, Tan, Wan); large-scale and high-throughput characterization of host-pathogen interactions (Shah); modeling of biological and biomimetic systems on the molecular and larger scales (Block, Boulton, Faller, Ristenpart, Tan); optimization of cultured meat processing (Block, McDonald); and coffee and wine process modeling, optimization and sustainability (Block, Boulton, Ristenpart, Runnebaum).

Faculty, research associates or staff.

Biotechnology and Human Health


Portrait Image

Tonya Kuhl

Position Title
  • Professor and Chair
Portrait Image

Priya Shah

Position Title
  • Assistant Professor
Portrait Image

Jiandi Wan

Position Title
  • Associate Professor
Portrait Image

Tina Jeoh

Position Title
  • Associate Professor
Portrait Image

Gang Sun

Position Title
  • Professor
Portrait Image

Somen Nandi

Position Title
  • Adjunct Faculty: Founder & Managing Director, Global Healthshare Initiative