BME Students Gain Hands-On Research Experience Through 2026 SPUR Program
This summer, six undergraduate students in the Biomedical Engineering Program participated in the CU Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR), conducting research alongside faculty members and graduate students in laboratories across campus.
Three students conducted research in Dr. Frank Barnes’ lab. Brendan Connors, Joshua Fields and Gabriel Shelton studied how weak, low-frequency electromagnetic radiation affects cancer metabolism. Their research examined how electromagnetic fields may influence biological processes such as oxidative stress and glycolysis in healthy and cancerous cells. Through the project, the students gained hands-on experience with cell culture, imaging, assay processing and experimental planning.
In Dr. Wyatt Shields’ lab, Wesley Cheung worked on a project titled “Laponite-Loaded Cellular Backpacks for Therapeutic Protein Delivery.” His research explored a hydrogel-based system that uses immune cells to transport therapeutic proteins to areas of inflammation. The project focused on controlling the release of these proteins and evaluating how the cellular backpacks interact with immune cells.
Anagha Varada continued her work in Dr. Wei Tan’s lab, building on research she began through the UROP program. Her project evaluated multilayered vascular implants made from electrospun coaxial nanofibers and examined how different manufacturing parameters influence their physical and biological properties. The research included biomechanical, cellular and in vivo evaluations of the newly developed implants.
Lorielle Vincent conducted research in Dr. Joel Shirts’ lab, where she investigated the effects of polymer brushes on enzyme behavior. Her project explored whether polymer brushes could help enzymes maintain their stability and activity under challenging conditions. The research combined molecular dynamics simulations with experimental data analysis to examine how these polymers affect enzyme function.
CU SPUR is open to undergraduate students in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. The program connects students with faculty members and graduate student mentors, allowing them to gain valuable research experience in campus laboratories. SPUR is one of several undergraduate research opportunities offered through the college, alongside programs such as CU DLA and FUTURE.
Participating in research gives students the opportunity to apply concepts learned in the classroom to real-world scientific and engineering challenges. Through these experiences, students can strengthen their technical skills, explore potential career paths and build meaningful relationships with faculty members, graduate students and other researchers.
BME Students Share Their Experiences
“My research looked at the effects of electromagnetic fields on the process of glycolysis in cancer cells. In my opinion, the SPUR program is a fantastic introduction to research, and for me personally, every aspect of it was enjoyable.”
—Brendan Connors
“My work in Dr. Frank Barnes’ lab this summer focused primarily on the effects of static hypomagnetic field exposure on wound-healing characteristics within healthy fibroblast and cancerous PC3 prostate cells. This research was part of a broader effort to understand cellular behavior observed in humans while in orbit.
“We analyzed these trends by performing scratch-wound and NucBlue DAPI stain assays to identify differences in cellular division stages and migration. Research this summer provided significant growth for me as a student, including gaining laboratory experience and developing technical skills in cell culture and imaging analysis.
“Most importantly, summer research gave me opportunities to overcome adversity and adjust to difficulties that are common when conducting research. Thank you to the SPUR program for providing me with a path to this opportunity!”
—Joshua Fields
“As a quick description of the research we conducted over the summer, we worked on visualizing radiofrequency and magnetic field emissions produced by cancerous cells. We then used the data we collected to deepen our understanding of how cells communicate with one another.
“The experience I gained working in the lab was extremely valuable because it helped me understand what working as a biomedical engineer looks like in a research setting. It has also encouraged me to apply to graduate school so I can continue conducting research that interests me.”
—Gabriel Shelton
“My research focuses on using a hydrophilic polymer formulation to fabricate drug-loaded microparticles that attach to the surface of macrophages and travel with them to sites of inflammation for targeted drug delivery. We are investigating how this hydrophilic polymer affects the properties and performance of these microparticle ‘backpacks.’ Once the backpacks reach the inflamed tissue, the polymer network degrades, releasing the therapeutic payload locally to maximize efficacy while minimizing off-target effects.
“Engaging in research has challenged my academic mindset when it comes to resilience. Research is an iterative process where you can repeat experiments and spend a lot of time in different directions. It has helped me develop a more adaptive mindset and taught me to approach each day knowing that it may involve a different challenge.
“Professionally, this research experience will be invaluable for career advancement. SPUR provides students with an excellent opportunity to conduct research with faculty members, build connections and gain experience that can support graduate school and future employment opportunities.”
—Wesley Cheung
Anagha Varada continued her previous UROP research in Dr. Wei Tan’s lab, evaluating multilayered vascular implants. Learn more about what they found.
Lorielle Vincent conducted research in Dr. Joel Shirts’ lab, where she investigated how polymer brushes affect enzyme behavior. Although enzymes can enable efficient and selective chemical reactions, many lose activity under industrial conditions, including high temperatures and exposure to organic solvents. Lorielle’s project used molecular dynamics simulations to examine how attaching enzymes to polymer brush scaffolds may improve their stability and activity under these challenging conditions. Specifically, the research explored the molecular interactions between polymer brushes and LipA, along with other lipase enzymes, in both water and organic solvents. Through this work, Lorielle gained experience performing protein simulations and analyzing how polymers can influence enzyme function.