Biomedical engineering research tackles critical gaps in diagnostics and screening

When Dr. Richa Pandey was in high school, she once found herself applying physics concepts to solve a biology problem.

She had never heard of “biomedical engineering,” yet that experience sparked an interest that has carried her forward to her research passion today.

“At that point in time, I didn’t know that I could combine these two disciplines,” says Pandey, PhD. “Since then, it’s been a constant that I’ve been applying interdisciplinary approaches and concepts to engineering technologies that can solve biomedical problems.”

Through the multidisciplinary Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pandey collaborates with researchers from across the University of Calgary to develop technologies aimed at providing services for women dealing with cervical cancer, preeclampsia, post-partum depression and anxiety.

One of the most collaborative departments on campus, the department works with more than 300 scholars and six faculties to address pressing health challenges and improve quality of life. 

This work is further propelled by the generous philanthropy of Taylor Family Foundation, which has donated $5 million to enable the creation of state-of-the-art teaching and learning labs. 

“I cannot underscore enough how the gifts from the Taylor Family have transformed the University of Calgary, transformed our campus, enriched our students in ways that are beyond belief, and have helped propel the University of Calgary to become one of Canada’s truly great research universities,” says UCalgary President Ed McCauley. 

A shift in mindset to solve critical health challenges

The newly opened Taylor Family Biomedical Teaching Labs are designed to foster hands-on learning, teamwork, and interactive experiences for the next generation of biomedical engineers. 

The adjacent research labs, slated to open soon, will create a shared space for collaboration across disciplines to enable groundbreaking work in biomaterials, wearables, point-of-care diagnostics, biomechanics, and much more. 

“We’re breaking down barriers between disciplines, accelerating discovery and fostering real-time collaboration,” says department head Dr. Michael Kallos, BSc (Eng)’95, PhD’99. “These new shared collaborative facilities will enable researchers to work together to solve these really big health challenges.” 

Advancing women’s health by breaking down barriers

Pandey’s work exemplifies the department’s mission to bridge engineering and health. 

For far too long, researchers believed reproductive health was the only major difference between men and women, creating critical gaps in diagnostics and screening technologies needed for women’s health.

“There are many existing biomedical technologies that are not designed to meet the complex female biology or the emerging health-care models,” says Pandey, who is the principal investigator and UCalgary Research Chair in the Wearable and Bio-Integrated Technologies Lab. “As a result, women aren’t able to properly take care of themselves or their families.”

By working with partners including the Faculty of Nursing, Faculty of Science and Cumming School of Medicine as well as Innovate Calgary, among others, Pandey aims to develop cost-effective solutions that are accessible to everyone.

Pandey is among the instructors and researchers benefiting from newly renovated teaching and research labs in the Calgary Centre for Innovative Technologies (CCIT) building. 

The unveiling of the Taylor Family Biomedical Teaching Labs on Nov. 18 marked an exciting milestone for the University of Calgary, signaling a new era of innovation and collaboration in biomedical engineering.

“We are so grateful and humbled, but most of all excited, by the promise that this gift will allow,” says Kallos.

This donation is the latest in more than 40 years of extraordinary generosity from the Taylor Family, whose support for UCalgary now surpasses $100 million.

Learn more about the Department of Biomedical Engineering.