Biotechnology and pharmaceutical engineering

Through research at the interface of chemical engineering, molecular biology, and medicine, we can better understand the molecular and cellular contributions to human disease and tissue regeneration. By applying transport, thermodynamics, pharmacodynamics, and kinetics concepts to modern chemical and biological techniques, students:

develop safe and effective drug and gene delivery systems
improve cellular production systems and analytical detection
collaborate with clinicians for biomedical applications
partner with industry and across interdisciplinary lines for machine learning-driven drug discovery and pharmaceutical assay development

Biotechnology and pharmaceutical engineering faculty

Tagbo H.R. Niepa

Arthur Hamerschlag Associate Professor
Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering

Full profile

Anne Skaja Robinson

Trustee Professor
Chemical Engineering

Full profile

James Schneider

Professor
Chemical Engineering

Full profile

Derin Sevenler

Assistant Professor
Chemical Engineering

Full profile

Robert Tilton

Chevron Professor
Chemical Engineering

Full profile

Kathryn Whitehead

Professor
Chemical Engineering

Full profile

Huaiying Zhang

Assistant Professor
Biological Sciences

Full profile

Related news

Student spotlight: Bilal Chaudhry

During his summer research internship at a top-ranked cancer center, undergraduate Bilal Chaudhry is drawing from his engineering courses and his research with Professor Jim Schneider.

Looking beyond the lab to scale bioprocess productivity

The Ken Meyer Doctoral Research Award recognized Leran (Lynn) Mao’s (‘23) work to produce valuable materials, like antibodies for vaccines, from cells. She is now a senior scientist at AstraZeneca.

Derin Sevenler joins ChemE faculty

In August 2024, the Department of Chemical Engineering will welcome Derin Sevenler as an assistant professor.

Taking microbial research from nano to global

Tagbo Niepa presented at symposia in Colombia and Morocco to facilitate international collaboration and apply innovations from his lab to global health challenges in different contexts.

Designing nanoparticles for pregnancy-safe treatments Opens in new window

Researchers identify lipid nanoparticles that safely deliver mRNA to the placenta and non-reproductive organs during pregnancy without harming the fetus.

Research paper Opens in new window

Two ChemE seniors selected as Andrew Carnegie Society Scholars

Tal Dassau and Anais Del Rosario Martinez are recognized for leadership, service, and academic success.

Student spotlight: Ian Gimino

From Lab I to his undergraduate research with a nanobioelectronics group, Ian Gimino is learning to solve problems.

Arral honored as one of AIChE’s 35 Under 35

Ph.D. student Mariah L. Arral is honored in the education and outreach category of AIChE’s 35 Under 35.

See More Stories

Studying microbes in marine environments and microcapsules

Ph.D. student Huda Usman is applying her experience at the prestigious Marine Biological Laboratory to her research miniaturizing the culture system.

Student spotlight: Yunfei Niu

Yunfei Niu shares how the MS in Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering program is preparing her for job and research opportunities in both biological sciences and chemical engineering.

Student spotlight: Divyam Shah

In his summer internship, master’s student Divyam Shah is optimizing and developing new formulations and drug delivery systems. He’s preparing for a career in pharmaceutical research and development.

Student spotlight: Ashni Arun

Ashni Arun’s support system spans the globe. The close community within the MS in Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering program is one part of it.

Tagbo H.R. Niepa joins ChemE faculty

In fall 2023, the Department of Chemical Engineering will welcome Tagbo H.R. Niepa as an associate professor.

Delivering mRNA therapeutics to the pancreas Opens in new window

Kathryn Whitehead is at the forefront of the mRNA delivery field, changing the chemistry of nanoparticle delivery vehicles to enable them to reach organs beyond the liver.

Microneedles unlock curcumin’s therapeutic potential Opens in new window

Researchers engineer a hybrid system that stabilizes curcumin to target skin diseases.

Research paper Opens in new window

Jackman engineers solutions to biology problems

Carnegie Mellon Chemical Engineering Postdoc, Corine Jackman, is using her interdisciplinary toolbox to engineer the future of medicine.

Mother’s milk cells key to novel infant disease therapy Opens in new window

Kathryn Whitehead is exploring ways to utilize the unique properties of breast milk to develop a novel approach to infant disease therapy.

Watch the Video Opens in new window

New data set accelerates search for renewable energy sources

As part of the Open Catalyst Project collaboration, Meta AI and Carnegie Mellon University’s (CMU) Department of Chemical Engineering have announced an entirely new data set focused on oxide catalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER), a critical chemical reaction used in green hydrogen fuel production via wind and solar energy.

Whitehead featured on CBS Evening News

On Sunday, February 28th, CBS Evening News featured Carnegie Mellon Chemical Engineering Professor Kathryn Whitehead, who sat down with CBS’s Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Jon LaPook, to discuss the future of mRNA drug delivery.

A cure for Alzheimer’s is taking longer than expected; here’s why

Anne Robinson, Head of Carnegie Mellon's Department of Chemical Engineering, explains why understanding the progression of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease, and its eventual treatment, is much more complex than researchers have previously thought.

Uncovering a promising use case for exosomes Opens in new window

New research from Carnegie Mellon University and UPMC explores an innovative case for exosomes: delivering growth factors like bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) for bone healing.

Research paper Opens in new window

Whitehead featured on NPR’s TED Radio Hour Opens in new window

Following her recent TED Talk, Katie Whitehead sits down with NPR’s TED Radio Hour Host, Manoush Zomorodi, to discuss lipid nanoparticles and how RNA drugs are revolutionizing modern medicine.

Optimizing pharmaceutical development Opens in new window

Chrysanthos Gounaris, in partnership with Eli Lilly and Company, has developed an automated decision support system for planning the R&D activities within Lilly’s Synthetic Molecule Design and Development organization.

COVID-19 creates opportunities for international research

Collaborative research through CMU’s Portugal Program provides insight into how fibrosis can start and become so devastating in different body tissues.

Commonalities found between viral infections and ovarian cancer Opens in new window

Apparent similarities between latent DNA viral infections and quiescent cancer cells could lead to new treatments for ovarian cancer.

Foundation for the future Opens in new window

Zachary Blonder’s experience conducting research on processes relevant to pharmaceuticals synthesis with Nisha Shukla as an undergraduate steered him toward a position in the pharma industry after graduation.

Discovery of naturally chiral surfaces for safer pharmaceuticals Opens in new window

Nisha Shukla and Andrew Gellman have developed a number of new, easier methods for making naturally chiral metal surfaces.

Watch the Video Opens in new window

Research paper Opens in new window

Engineering ways to keep doctors safe from COVID-19 Opens in new window

When Allegheny Health Network and Magee Plastics needed help perfecting their simple intubation boxes, they turned to Carnegie Mellon engineers Ryan Sullivan and Coty Jen.

Calcium helps build strong cells Opens in new window

Research from Kris Dahl marks the first definitive look at how cells maintain structural integrity under mechanical strain.

Research paper Opens in new window

Safety top of mind for Baranowski Opens in new window

As an integral member of the “Rethink the Rink” team, Joanna Baranowski is working to make hockey safer.

Related Article Opens in new window

Watch the Video Opens in new window

The future of human healing lies in the brain of a starfish Opens in new window

Stem cell therapy is about to get a whole lot cheaper, thanks to the incredible regenerative powers of starfish.

Salting down the cost of protein-polymer drugs Opens in new window

Alan Russell and Stefanie Baker have developed a novel method to purify the protein-polymer conjugates used in pharmaceuticals to ensure they perform properly.

Research paper Opens in new window

Anne Robinson receives Trustee Professorship

Congratulations to Chemical Engineering Department Head Anne Skaja Robinson on being awarded the Trustee Professorship in Chemical Engineering.

Andrew Gellman Receives Kaufman Foundation Award

Lord Professor of Chemical Engineering Andrew Gellman and Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Huaiying Zhang have received awards from the Charles E. Kaufman Foundation.

Are strawberries the key to developing an insulin pill? Opens in new window

Katie Whitehead and her team have now shown that the development of a safe insulin pill is possible.

Watch the Video Opens in new window

Elizabeth Wayne joins ChemE/BME faculty

Beginning in Fall 2019, Dr. Elizabeth Wayne will be joining the faculty of Carnegie Mellon University as an assistant professor of Chemical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering.

Protein cuisine Opens in new window

Alan Russell has earned the Pittsburgh Business Times’ 2018 Innovator Award as co-founder of startup BioHybrid Solutions.

Watch the Video Opens in new window

Related Article Opens in new window

Engineering breast milk to treat sick infants Opens in new window

Kathryn Whitehead has been awarded a 2018 NIH Director’s New Innovator Award for her project to genetically engineer the human cells in breastmilk.

Watch the Video Opens in new window

Explore Other Research Topics