Biomedical Engineering
Three-Week Summer Engineering Program
This multiple award-winning program covers the fundamental biological knowledge necessary to develop medical technologies and devices. Students go over biochemistry, materials chemistry, and scientific reasoning. Students work with DNA via extraction and transformation into bacteria, as well as practice 3D design and 3D printing. Teens discuss current breakthroughs in, and also the ethics and societal implications of, biophysics, biotechnology, and biomedical engineering. Biomedical engineering is a interdisciplinary field: in order to provide students with specialists in the constituent areas, a different module each week is offered. In past years, modules have included genetic engineering, material science/DNA science, 3D printing and CAD, and engineering/medical devices
Student research groups designed and 3D printed their own prosthetic devices. Students also studied and researched treatments for glaucoma. They proposed a roadside test to determine THC intoxication. Teens also designed a device to deliver insulin to type-I diabetics in a discreet way (via an Apple-watch-like insulin pump), and explored ways to design bioplastics for patients who need straws in straw-free locales.
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Session 1: June 22nd – July 10th, 2026
Babson College | Greater Wellesley, MA
Session 2: July 13th – July 31st, 2026
The Newman School | Boston, MA
Hands-on Activities
Sample activities include:
- 3D print prosthetic devices
- Design a medical device, such as one that delivers insulin to Type-1 diabetics in a discrete way (via an Apple watch-like insulin pump)
- Create goop and slime to see how these methods can be used to create sustainable materials
- Explore DNA science and genetic engineering using BLI’s PCR machines and CRISPR
Field Trips
Examples of past field trips include:
Addgene: A biological resource center where kids would explore the world of genetic engineering through hands-on activities, lab tours, and interactive demos that show how DNA and science help solve real-world problems.
BU’s Biomedical Engineering Department: Students have visited BU’s premier Biomedical Engineering labs to tour, speak to students and professionals about the field, and learned about current cutting-edge research and how it is shaping the future of healthcare.
NOTE: We cannot guarantee any given field trip will run as in past years or at all.
Past Instructors:
Vincent Coljee
Vince Coljee is an accomplished scientist and biotech leader with expertise in biotechnology, biophysics, molecular biology, and immunology. He currently serves as the DNA Core Manager at Addgene and has held prominent roles including CSO of Inovan and Co-Founder/CSO of Excelimmune. Vincent is also a consultant and SAB member for Talix and contributes to NIH review panels on immunology and vaccines.
Lucas Miyazaki
Lucas is a Master’s student at Harvard University studying Design Engineering. He has his Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with a focus in Robotics, Mechatronics, and Automation Engineering from Universidade de Sao Paolo.
Jaleh Jalili
Jaleh received her M.S and PhD from Clemson University in Microbiology. She has conducted extensive research and published in the Journal Advances in Microbiology and the Journal in Immunology. She is a member of the American Society of Microbiology. She currently teaches at the Massachusetts School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Student Comments
‘Our projects were hands on and collaborative so we got to learn how to work together on a variety of engineering design challenges. Our instructors pushed us to think creatively to solve our own problems rather than telling us the answers right away. They gave us helpful advice and were willing to give up their extra time to help anyone who wanted it.’
‘Each lecture and lab helped me understand a new subject. The teachers were both amazing and committed teachers that put in extra time and effort.’
‘I loved the group project. My teacher had an enthusiasm that lit up the room.’
‘The program taught me a lot about biomedical engineering and also a lot about science in general.’
‘This program was really fun and engaging. BME is great to learn about gene editing, mechanical implants and much more.’
Note: This page represents our best expectations for the program. Activities and instructors are subject to change. In such cases, similar activities and a comparably qualified instructor will be sought.
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