Research_RB

Research

Our collaborative ecosystem accelerates research into transformative outcomes

From human health to 3D printing and gene therapy, our community of researchers and entrepreneurs advances bioengineering breakthroughs into meaningful solutions.

Knight Campus Research Focus Areas

The Knight Campus has 15 independent, bioengineering faculty-led labs, ranging in focus from 3D printing and laser microfabrication to gene therapy, tissue regeneration, and polymer chemistry. Many of our faculty are also entrepreneurs and assist in the development of numerous startups. Researchers at the Knight Campus have access to state-of-the-art facilities for their research and a collaborative environment with expert mentors.

Biomaterials

We work at the interface of materials chemistry and biomedical engineering. We determine what is missing from the engineer's toolbox and design new functional materials, 3-D structures, tools and devices that address key challenges in the clinic.

Medical Sensors & Devices

We push the envelope of implantable and wearable medical sensors and devices to change the ways we study and treat diseases and injuries, by tapping advances in materials and data science, as well as device architecture.

Protein Engineering & Synthetic Biology

We develop new bio-inspired methods to build biological parts (proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids) and systems with designed properties and predictable behaviors. We repurpose biological cells as factories allowing simple large-scale low-cost manufacturing of complex macromolecules.

Neural Engineering

We develop novel implantable interfaces to the brain and peripheral nervous system to advance fundamental science and improve human lives through therapeutic neuromodulation.

Biomedical Artificial Intelligence

We develop models of complex biological systems using carefully curated datasets and the latest advances in machine learning. These AI systems are trained to make automated, repeatable, data-driven decisions, which ultimately leads to better patient outcomes.

Regenerative Rehabilitation & Human Performance

We develop and integrate engineered technologies to measure, model, regenerate and enhance the performance of tissue systems. The overall goal of this focus area is to improve human performance throughout all aspects of life, from young to old, healthy to injured and novice to elite.

Bioengineering Research Faculty

Bala Ambati

Bala Ambati

Research Professor, Bioengineering

Danielle Benoit

Danielle Benoit

Lorry Lokey Chair of the Department of Bioengineering

Bill Creeks

Bill Cresko

Lorry Lokey Chair Professor of Bioengineering

Paul Dalton

Paul Dalton

Bradshaw and Holzapfel Research Professor in Transformational Science and Mathematics

Associate Professor, Bioengineering

Felix Deki, Knight Campus courtyard

Felix Deku

Betsy and Greg Hatton Assistant Professor in Neuroengineering, Bioengineering

Tim Gardner

Tim Gardner

Associate Professor, Bioengineering

Robert Guldberg portrait

Robert Guldberg

Vice President and Executive Director

Marian Hettiaratchi

Marian Hettiaratchi

Lary Simpson Professor Associate Professor, Bioengineering

Parisa Hosseinzadeh

Parisa Hosseinzadeh

Assistant Professor, Bioengineering

Sara Keller

Sara Keller

Assistant Professor, Bioengineering

Gabby

Gabriella Lindberg

Assistant Professor, Bioengineering

keat ghee ong

Keat Ghee Ong

Professor, Bioengineering

David Peeler

David Peeler

Assistant Professor, Bioengineering

Calin Plesa

Calin Plesa

Assistant Professor, Bioengineering

headshot of nick willett

Nick Willett

Associate Professor, Bioengineering

Research Grants, Gifts and Funding

The Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact supports research through a combination of large philanthropic gifts, competitive fellowships, and externally funded grants that aim to accelerate scientific discovery and its translation into real-world applications. By combining philanthropic funding with grants and industry partnerships, the Knight Campus provides financial support that allows students and faculty to pursue long-term research projects, develop new technologies, and move discoveries from the laboratory to commercialization more rapidly.

75.8* Million

in cumulative research awards (known full award amounts, with awards anticipated out to FY31).

50% 

of our Bioengineering graduate students are supported by external fellowships and awards, including NSF Graduate Research Fellowships, NIH T32 training grants and F31 fellowships.

$1 billion +

of funding for Knight Campus made possible by two $500 million gifts from Penny and Phil Knight, $80+ million in directed state funds and gifts from hundreds of donors.

$11.7M

total funding received in FY25

Recent Faculty Grant Highlights

✓

NIH UG3 Award

Granted to Danielle Benoit for the project "Bone-Targeted Nanoparticles to Accelerate Fracture Healing in Aging Populations".

✓

Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation (AMRF) Award

Granted to Tim Gardner for advanced neural interfaces for chronic electrophysiological studies of brain injury and repair. 

✓

NSF Pathways to Enable Open-Source Ecosystems Award

Granted to Paul Dalton for the project "POSE: Phase I: MEW Ecosystem for Transformative Research (METR)".

✓

CZI Scaling Up Synthetic Biology Award

Granted to Calin Plesa to support scaling up DropSynth’s capacity by more than sixfold.

Collaborative Research Centers

The Knight Campus connects discovery and innovation through our leading research centers, each driving progress in human performance, biomedical data science, and advanced technology.

wu tsai human performance alliance icon logo

Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance

A collaborative research initiative accelerating discovery in human performance and recovery — spanning genetics, physiology, and engineering.

Learn More About The Oregon Human Performance Alliance →

CBDS icon logo

Center for Biomedical Data Science

CBDS bridges biology and computation to advance data-driven insights in genetics, imaging, and biomedical innovation.

Learn More About CBDS→

Core facilities

Knight Campus Core Facilities

Learn about the Knight Campus facilities that offer rapid prototyping, 3D printing, clean Room, and X-Ray imaging.

Learn More About Knight Campus Core Facilities →

Knight Campus Faculty Associates

Knight Campus faculty associates are University of Oregon tenure-related or research professor faculty members with primary appointments outside the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact who actively collaborate, engage in, and support the center's scientific research and innovation mission.

News and Events

Explore the latest stories, events, and scientific advancements.

headshot of a woman with long brown hair, in a green and white sweater
Chasko Receives an F31 Fellowship

Bioengineering Ph.D. candidate DeShea Chasko has been awarded a competitive National Institutes of Health (NIH) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (F31) to support her research creating 3D bioprinted bone marrow models.

semiconductors research
University of Oregon Receives $1.5 Million State Grant to Expand Semiconductor Workforce Programs
The University of Oregon has been awarded $1.5 million from Oregon's Semiconductor Talent Sustaining Fund (STSF) to expand immersive learning experiences, grow industry internship opportunities, and develop semiconductor courses in collaboration with partner universities.
Riverfront bistro, open in progress - with employees working behind the counter.
New dining spot opens in Knight Campus 2 building

The new café opened April 20 and operates Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is designed to be a flexible, comfortable space for students, employees and campus visitors alike.

More News and Events » 

Explore the Knight Campus

Discover programs designed to accelerate scientific impact—from doctoral research to applied master's programs to hands-on innovation training for undergraduates.