Keller Lab

Department of Bioengineering

The Keller Lab

Building better ultrasound tools for the diagnosis and treatment of disease 

Ultrasound doppler in green

OUR mission

Our mission is to understand and control how sound waves interact with living systems to enable new ways to diagnose and treat disease. 

Ultrasound is widely used to create images of the body. In our lab, we go beyond imaging: we use carefully controlled sound waves to interact with tissues in targeted and measurable ways. These interactions can help clear infections, map tumor environments, deliver therapeutics, or stimulate immune responses. By integrating biological experiments, advanced imaging, and computational modeling, we study how mechanical forces generated by sound affect cells and tissue. This foundation in physics allows us to design ultrasound-based tools that are safe, precise, and adaptable across a wide range of medical applications.

Research

The Keller Lab develops image-guided ultrasound technologies to measure and control acoustic bioeffects in living systems. By combining ultrasound system design, cavitation imaging, contrast agent engineering, and biologically relevant models, we develop quantitative tools for applications ranging from drug delivery and biofilm treatment to tumor microenvironment sensing and super-resolution imaging.

Learn more about our therapeutic ultrasound research →

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People

We are always looking for intellectually curious, self-driven trainees who are eager to develop tools to understand and control how ultrasound interacts with biological systems. We foster a collaborative environment that empowers students and trainees from all backgrounds to learn, innovate, and develop the skills needed for successful careers as scientists and engineers. 

Meet the team and learn how you can join the Keller Lab →

 

Keller Lab News

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Sara Keller
Keller Receives Baxter Foundation Award
Sara Keller has received an award from the Donald E. and Delia B. Baxter Foundation supporting her research developing new techniques and applications for ultrasound to treat medical device-associated infections.
Two people standing at a bench, with some electronic equipment
Keller Lab Moves into Building 2!

Building 2 of the Knight Campus is now open, and we are unpacking the lab! 

People standing in front of a banner that reads 'Bioengineering' wtih tables that have monitors and handouts
Bioengineering at the Week of Research and Innovation

Members from the department of bioengineering tabled an event at the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation's week of research and innovation, to showcase bioengineering research for undergraduate students. 

The Keller Lab 

Founded in 2026, the Keller Lab is a therapeutic ultrasound research group within the University of Oregon's Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact. Based in the Department of Bioengineering in Eugene, Oregon, the Keller Lab develops image-guided ultrasound technologies for targeted diagnosis and therapy.