Message from the Department Head

Thank you for visiting the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT). As one of the most rapidly growing disciplines, biomedical engineering provides new knowledge and innovative solutions to better diagnose, treat, and cure diseases, ultimately improving human health and longevity. It is an important and exciting field with unlimited potential.

BME at UT enjoys rapid growth with strong institutional support, including new faculty hires and updates to the curriculum and facilities. This strengthens our commitment to educating engineers who will lead in medical devices, biomechanics, imaging, biomaterials, and precision health.

As the department continues to grow, our research momentum has accelerated. Faculty and students are advancing projects supported by new and ongoing funding, such as NSF-supported work on a “smart” surgical camera, NIH-sponsored biomaterials research, and industry-sponsored studies using in vivo fluoroscopy and advanced computational modeling to improve our understanding of joint mechanics and orthopedic implant performance. These efforts build on long-standing partnerships that help move innovation closer to clinical impact.

Equally important, we are deeply committed to mentorship and student success. Our goal is to prepare biomedical engineers who thrive in academia, healthcare, and the medical technology sector, and who reflect the Volunteer spirit through innovation, service, collaboration, and real-world impact.

Whether you are a prospective student, an alum, or a potential collaborator, I encourage you to explore our programs, stay connected, and help shape what UT biomedical engineering becomes through scholarship, partnership, and engagement.

Warm regards,

Dacheng Ren, PhD

Zeanah Professor and Department Head