The Bioengineering & Life Sciences Initiative at Notre Dame advances human health and wellness through interdisciplinary biomedical research and training — from fundamental discoveries through detection, prevention, and treatment of disease. Emphasizing accessible healthcare solutions, BELS brings together researchers across fields to create transformative solutions in bioengineering and life sciences.
“The Bioengineering & Life Sciences Initiative is already accelerating the pace of multidisciplinary biomedical research on campus and laying the foundation for the future growth of innovative collaboration across campus and around the world," said Paul Bohn, director of the Initiative.
To date, the Bioengineering & Life Sciences Initiative has awarded nearly $1.25 million in seed funding to faculty, academic units, and postdoctoral scholars advancing the frontiers of biomedical research.
To strengthen research infrastructure, the initiative began the acquisition of a Glacios 2 Cryo-TEM microscope — the first of its kind at Notre Dame. Complementary efforts to restructure flow cytometry resources will ensure the campus has the advanced tools needed to remain at the forefront of bioengineering and life sciences.
The Initiative’s first two postdoctoral fellows and the inaugural graduate fellow have been appointed, and BELS launched global partnerships, particularly with the Institute of Biological and Medical Engineering at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, to explore joint research and training opportunities.
The Initiative is also actively recruiting a new permanent director whose leadership will anchor long-term growth.