Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Engineering

The Benninger lab studies the endocrine pancreas (islets of Langerhans) to develop diagnostics and therapeutic interventions to effectively manage, cure and prevent diabetes. Towards this goal, the lab combines novel optical imaging and ultrasound imaging approaches to study the function of the islets of Langerhans over multiple levels of organization, and how function is disrupted in diabetes.

Dr. Hunter's lab applies expertise in theoretical solid and fluid mechanics to improve the analysis and interpretation of medical images for better diagnosis and prognosis of pulmonary and cardiac diseases. They also perform research on biomedical applications of augmented reality and computer vision.

The Jacot Lab focuses on pediatric regenerative medicine, with core expertise in cardiac tissue, biomaterial interactions, and amniotic fluid and induced pluripotent human stem cells.

The Magin Lab engineers 3D models of lung tissue to help the world breathe easier. Specifically, we engineer cell culture platforms that mimic the dynamic and complex architecture, composition and mechanical properties of lung tissue to study lung disease and to screen potential therapeutic treatments.

The Masters Lab uses tissue engineering to model disease risk factors, onset, and progression. We have a particular interest in cardiovascular diseases, gynecological cancers, and neurological disorders, and we apply the knowledge gained from our disease models to inform the design of therapies that can be translated to the clinic.

We are currently exploring applications of nanobiotechnology and bioengineering to the study of heart function and treatment of heart failure and cardiomyopathies. With the use of atomic force microscopy (AFM), we have discovered biomechanical changes at the nanoscale in cardiac cells carrying genetic mutations (lamin A/C, FLNC genes). In addition, using nanobiotechnology, biophysics, cell biology and bioengineering, with a multidisciplinary approach in collaboration with our CU Department of Biomedical Engineering and international collaborators, we have studied 'next-generation' smart biomaterials for tissue engineering and cardiac repair.

Device development and hamodynamic modeling for congenital heart disease.

The Neeves Lab designs, fabricates, and uses microdevices and microbots to diagnose and treat blood disorders.

We are focused on technology development for fundamental study and engineering of connective and cardiac tissues.

The Peña lab leads innovative, translational research that advances cardiovascular therapeutics by integrating biomaterials, nanotechnology, and cardiovascular mechanobiology. Our lab’s success depends on rigorous scientific methodology, ethical conduct, and a shared commitment to generating knowledge that meaningfully impacts both the scientific community and society.

The pulmonary biomechanics laboratory and pulmonary function testing (PuFT) core focus on mechanical ventilation, assessments of lung mechanical function, and quantification of lung structure.