“Biomedical Engineering has so much potential to grow,” said Otto. “Our undergrad population could double over the next few years.”

Otto has big plans for the Weldon School and its expansion to Indianapolis.

“I look forward to establishing centers for translational excellence in Indianapolis,” said Otto. “With a vision of the school to be adjacent to the campus of the IU School of Medicine, there is so much potential to enhance local collaborations with clinical partners.”

Another area Otto sees growth for BME is through Purdue Computes—a new major initiative by Purdue consisting of four dimensions that will connect faculty and students from across the institution and enable the university to advance to the forefront with unparalleled excellence at scale.

Otto was born and raised in the Mountain West, earning his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Colorado State University, and his master’s and PhD in bioengineering from Arizona State University. He was a research fellow in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan. His work focused on brain-machine interface systems and implantable devices. He was a post-doctoral fellow in the Central Systems Laboratory in the Kresge Hearing Research Institute in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Michigan where his work focused on cochlear implants.

In 2006, Otto began his faculty career at Purdue before being recruited away by the University of Florida in 2014, which had strong proximity and connections to the UF Health Center. This spring, Purdue recruited him back to Indiana.

“Being here before helps me understand the excellence, culture and opportunities of Purdue,” said Otto. “The strength and draw of Purdue centers on its commitment to excellence, students and community. As a preeminent land grant university—Purdue does it better than most.”

Otto’s research focuses on engineering neural interfaces for both research purposes as well as treatment options for neurological injuries or diseases. His research focuses on multi-channel implantable microdevices in the central and peripheral nervous systems. These interfaces are being investigated for many applications including sensory replacement, cognitive functional therapy and neuromodulation for autonomic therapies.

Otto met his spouse as a student at ASU. They worked in the same lab at ASU and again when the lab moved to the University of Michigan. After graduation, she wanted to pursue Vet school at Purdue, which strengthened his decision to become a faculty member.  Today she works for Charles River as the Executive Director of Global Animal Welfare.

The couple have two children, a 6-year-old son August and a 2-year-old daughter Magnolia. They also moved their two dogs from Florida, which embarks on the question of how they will fare in an Indiana winter.  

Read the official press release on Kevin Otto.