I am excited to share with you two ways in which our College of Engineering and Computing is reaching new heights.
This spring, we are literally and figuratively “building up” – putting finishing touches on our state-of-the-art Innovation Complex while simultaneously elevating our reputation in critical fields like biomedical engineering.
I’m proud to share that our Biomedical Engineering graduate program is now ranked among the top 50 public universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, coming in at #45 and climbing! This recognition reflects the innovative work happening across our college as we tackle the pressing challenges affecting our community and our world.
I would like to give you a detailed look at the first building of the Innovation Complex, a brand new, 120,000-square-foot facility, which is set to open very soon. I am also excited to share with you a few of the impactful programs that our Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) is driving.
Here are just a few examples that demonstrate how the College of Engineering and Computing is building on its gains.
The Innovation Complex: A Hub for Collaboration and Discovery
The Innovation Complex represents a transformative leap forward in our ability to foster cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and experiential learning.
This facility will serve as a powerhouse of innovation with:
- collision spaces designed to invite cross-disciplinary teamwork,
- emerging technology and computer labs to spark big ideas, and
- expanded research facilities to continue our groundbreaking work.
Teaching labs will encourage our students to think like scientists, while active learning classrooms will ensure participatory education that prepares them for real-world challenges.
The building is designed with student success at its core, featuring:
- integrated academic advising to drive timely completion of education,
- dedicated student study spaces to complement hands-on learning, and
- career advising areas to enhance the process of matching employers with our talented students and graduates.
Additionally, the complex will include collaborative spaces for student clubs, maker spaces, and programs that support the formation of startup companies and other entrepreneurial activities.
Our vision for the Innovation Complex is bold and forward-looking: to brand it as the destination for Miami Tech talent and innovation. We aim to drive Miami’s technology innovation and economic growth by creating thematic Solution Centers which will focus on multidisciplinary research and training in AI, cybersecurity, robotics, automation, health, and materials.
All the while, we will collaborate with our esteemed colleagues at other colleges at FIU as well as with professionals in Miami’s leading industries.
We expect to begin occupying offices in the Complex in a matter of months, with many of our impressive departments and programs readying to call it home. Today, I want to share some information about just one of those departments and some of their exciting initiatives.
Advancing Frontiers in Biomedical Engineering
Center for Innovation in Cardiovascular Health
Our researchers’ incredible work propelled us to new heights in national graduate program rankings in biomedical engineering this month. I am delighted to share with you that there is much more to come.
For example: Our new Center for Innovation in Cardiovascular Health is set to expand South Florida’s footprint as a leader in health and research. Housed inside our new Innovation Complex, the center represents a significant advancement in our commitment to interdisciplinary research with real-world impact.
This center will foster collaboration between our BME researchers, Baptist Health, the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences, the Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, and the College of Arts, Sciences & Education. Together we will tackle cardiovascular health challenges and develop innovative solutions.
Associate Professor Joshua Hutcheson will serve as the founding director, bringing his expertise and vision to this important initiative.
The center’s reach will extend beyond research, supporting undergraduate and high school research programs and nursing scholarships to nurture the next generation of biomedical innovators.
This ambitious undertaking has generous support from the Florida Heart Research Foundation, which is providing $11.5 million to advance these efforts. This investment highlights the significance and potential of our work in cardiovascular health and underscores the trust placed in our ability to make meaningful contributions to this critical field.
Personalized Cancer Medicine
In addition to Dr. Hutcheson’s leadership, we are proud to spotlight the impactful work of Dr. Anamika Prasad, a leading faculty member whose research focuses on personalized cancer medicine—an area of growing importance in today’s healthcare landscape.
Dr. Prasad’s work receives support from the Casey DeSantis Florida Cancer Innovation Fund and integrates principles from mechanical and civil engineering to develop targeted, individualized approaches to cancer treatment. Her cross-disciplinary expertise is emblematic of the collaborative and innovative spirit that drives the College of Engineering and Computing forward.
AI-Powered Healthcare Collaboration
Our BME investigators are also embarking on an exciting collaboration with Dr. Tom Nguyen, chief of the Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, to harness the power of artificial intelligence for earlier cardiovascular disease diagnosis and improved monitoring in patients.
This partnership exemplifies how we’re leveraging cutting-edge technology to address pressing healthcare challenges and improve patient outcomes through innovative approaches to medical diagnostics and treatment.
Expanding Neuroscience Research
The college is excited to announce the recruitment of Dr. Mohammed Abdul Muneer to the BME faculty, which will expand our neuroscience-related research efforts. Dr. Muneer will be joining at the beginning of the Summer 2025 semester.
His research interests include studying the underlying mechanisms of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and alcohol-mediated neurovascular inflammation and neurodegeneration, with the goal of developing effective therapeutic strategies to improve recovery from TBI or alcohol-induced neurological dysfunctions.
I look forward to sharing more success stories with you as we continue building up our physical spaces, our academic reputation, and our impact on the world around us.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Inés R. Triay
Interim Dean, FIU’s College of Engineering and Computing