Research Labs

The research laboratories described below comprise over 20,000 square feet of facilities in five buildings that contain more than $2 Million of state-of-the-art equipment and instrumentation related to Biological Engineering projects that are funded by federal and state agencies, and the private sector. Research addresses fundamental and applied aspects of integrating the science of biology with the problem solving tools and strategies of engineering. Research areas, as described by the various laboratories, include biomedical, bioenergy, bioenvironmental, and public health sectors. The goal of research conducted in the laboratories described below is the production of new bio-based products, technologies, and services that support current bio-based industries, as well as the creation of new industries and jobs in Utah and nationally.

All of our students are invited into our research labs. The Department of Biological Engineering leads the University in undergraduate research. A schedule of weekly Biological Engineering Research Lab meetings is below.

Attending a lab meeting that interests you is an ideal way to begin your undergraduate research.

Research Laboratory Meetings Information

Early involvement in research laboratories is encouraged. Interested students are invited to attend any or all research laboratory meetings. Feel free to contact the respective faculty members with any questions.

Research Laboratory Faculty Day Time Location
Bioenergy Center, Thermochemical Research Lab Dr. Foster Agblevor n/a n/a Contact Dr. Agblevor for details and times.

Brain Micro-Engineering Lab Dr. Yu Huang Monday & Wednesday n/a Contact Dr. Huang for details and times. 

CMV Antivirals Dr. David Britt
Dr. Elizabeth Vargis
Mondays 12:30-1:30pm ENGR 402C
(Biological Engineering conference room)
Fungal BIotechnology & Engineering Lab (FBE) Dr. Erika Espinosa-Ortiz Thursdays 10:30-11:30am ENGR 402C
(Biological Engineering conference room)
Gene Therapy Vector Lab, and
Infectious Disease and Public Health Lab
Dr. Keith Roper Mondays 2:30pm SER 113. This is a working meeting that includes hands on.

Undergrad students need to complete lab safety and biosafety training to join.

Metabolic Engineering Dr. Jixun Zhan Monday
(every other week)
2:00-3:00pm Email jixun.zhan@usu.edu
Molecular and Cellular Sensing and Imaging Lab Dr. Anhong Zhou n/a n/a Contact Dr. Zhou for details and time.

Nanoparticles in plants, soils, and biofilms Dr. David Britt Tuesdays 4:30-5:30pm ENGR 402C
(Biological Engineering conference room)
SWBEC
(Sustainable Waste-to-Bioproducts Engineering Center)
Dr. Ron Sims Monday 5:30–6:30pm Zoom

Tissue Engineering Lab Dr. Elizabeth Vargis Thursdays 1:30-3:00pm ENGR 402C
(Biological Engineering conference room)
Microbial Electrochemical Technology Lab Dr. Luguang Wang Wednesday 5:15-6:30pm ENGR 402C
(Biological Engineering conference room)