“BME Design Day in Indianapolis is an opportunity to recognize the technical accomplishments of each design team and to celebrate the individual growth of each biomedical engineering student,” said Sharon Miller, Assistant Vice Provost for Purdue University in Indianapolis and Associate Professor of Engineering Practice. “It was extraordinary to see the Weldon community support student teams at this culminating academic experience.”

From Concept to Prototype: The Senior Design Journey

The path to Senior Design begins in the third year, when students identify unmet needs through clinical immersion and professional interviews. Working alongside faculty and external mentors, they craft a Product Development Proposal (PDP) that lays the foundational skills teams then apply during their final-year capstone project.

As seniors, student teams use their biomedical engineering design training to approach new and challenging problems. As they work toward functional prototypes, they maintain comprehensive design history files (DHFs), conduct rigorous testing and refine their solutions. Some teams even go further—pursuing patents, entering national design competitions or enrolling in an optional spring course focused on product translation and commercialization.

Showcasing Innovation: 2025 Senior Design Projects

Design Day is the culminating event of the Senior Design experience, where students present their solutions to peers, faculty and mentors. This year’s standout projects included:

TieTech: Surgical Methods Practice and Assessment Device
Team: Zach Knauss, Renee Miller, Geoffrey VanSickle, Lexi Whittinger
Sponsor: Nick Anton, MS, Indiana University School of Medicine

Drop Tower Device for Investigating Biological Response from Mouse Intervertebral Disc Injury
Team: Phillip Brock, Shagunpreet Kaur, Ben Romig, Gavin Strickland
Sponsor: Diane Wagner, PhD, Purdue University School of Mechanical Engineering

NeoPace Adapter: Pacemaker Device Compatible with the Smallest Pediatric Patients
Team: Pearl-Marie Andoh, Caleb Manring, Anna Schroeder, Makenzie Sheehan
Sponsor: Adam Kean, MD, MPH, FHRS, Indiana University School of Medicine, Riley Children’s Hospital

Dynamic Spondylolisthesis Model for Patient Education
Team: Gavin Burtch, Katelynn Gallagher, Kelci Malloy, Logan Shomaker
Sponsor: David Stockwell, MD, FAANS, Indiana University School of Medicine

The NeoPace Adapter was honored as the Best Senior Design Project, recognized for its creativity, technical excellence and potential impact in pediatric cardiology.

“What an incredible way to wrap up the semester!” said Caleb Manring, BME’25. “It has been a privilege to work with Pearl-Marie, Makenzie, and Anna. I am grateful for the dedication, creativity and unique skills each teammate brought to the table.”

Preparing the Next Generation: Junior Design Posters

Design Day also featured a poster session from students in BME 302, the junior-level course that prepares students for the capstone experience. In this course, students explore key design principles and complete collaborative team projects that simulate real-world engineering challenges.

Partnerships Drive Innovation

Our program is fueled by strong partnerships with clinicians, industry leaders, and academic experts. These collaborators provide critical mentorship, access to specialized facilities, and material support—empowering students to tackle real problems and create meaningful solutions.

With Gratitude

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the mentors, sponsors and partners who make Senior Design possible. Your guidance, generosity, and enthusiasm inspire the next generation of biomedical engineers to innovate, lead and improve lives.