Center for Neurovascular Engineering Research and adVanced Education (NERVE)

The imperative for biomedical engineering research and education is underscored by the widespread prevalence of brain diseases and disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). This emphasizes the urgent need for innovative technologies to advance our understanding, treatment, and prevention efforts. Recent technological convergence, encompassing organoids, drug delivery, imaging, machine learning, and regenerative medicine, positions biomedical engineering and imaging to pioneer groundbreaking solutions, ushering in a new era for human brain health. Organoids and nanodevices hold significant importance on understanding, diagnosing, and treating neurological diseases/disorders. Amid these advancements, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of cultivating a skilled workforce, in the field of biomedical engineering. The proposed establishment, the "Center for Neurovascular Engineering Research and AdVanced Education (NERVE)," aims to: 1) propel research and education in biomedical engineering concerning organoid and nanoparticle technologies, 2) enhance capabilities in advanced imaging/machine learning, and small animal testing, 3) pioneer the first PhD Bioengineering Program at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), 4) cultivate a talented workforce encompassing PhD, BS, and MS levels, and 5) foster a sustainable and innovative ecosystem in engineering and imaging technologies. This center is built on the strong track record of 1) research on organoid, nanoparticles, advanced imaging, and neuroscience, 2) education on pioneering BS and MS in Biomedical engineering, and 3) seamless collaboration across multiple departments, including Bioengineering, Biology, Psychology, and Electrical Engineering at NC A&T State University (NCAT), in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh and Washington University in St. Louis with nationally recognized labs and industry. Benefiting from robust institutional support, including the Interdisciplinary Bioengineering Center (IBEC) and the PhD Program plan from NCAT, NERVE aims establish a sustainable hub that transforms brain science and technologies into a lasting ecosystem, charting a course for the development of the next generation of the bioengineering workforce.