Project Using 4D Ultrasound to Study Heart Function and Blood Flow in Murine Models of Cardiovascular Disease Program DUIRI - Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship Term Fall 2026 Status Accepted Research Area Global Health Description Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, yet many changes in heart function occur long before they can be detected using traditional measurements. This project will investigate a novel imaging approach that combines high-frequency ultrasound, 3D image reconstruction, and computational analysis to better understand how blood moves through the heart. The student will work with murine (mouse) models of cardiovascular disease and use 4D ultrasound (3D + time) datasets to study cardiac structure, function, and blood-flow-related forces known as hemodynamic forces. These measurements may provide new insights into disease progression and treatment response. This interdisciplinary project combines biomedical engineering, cardiovascular physiology, medical imaging, and data science. Students will gain hands-on experience analyzing real research data while contributing to the development of next-generation tools for cardiovascular research. Supervisor Craig J Goergen Mentor Bruno Tesini Roseguini Type of work required The student will:
- Organize and process high-frequency ultrasound datasets from murine cardiovascular studies
- Assist with 3D cardiac image segmentation and reconstruction
- Perform quantitative analysis of cardiac function and hemodynamic force measurements
- Generate scientific figures and data visualizations
- Participate in weekly research meetings and present findings to the research team
The project will provide training in biomedical imaging, image analysis, scientific programming, cardiovascular physiology, and scientific communication. Websites https://engineering.purdue.edu/cvirl Qualifications Preferred qualifications: - GPA of 3.0 or higher - Undergraduate student in Biomedical Engineering, Engineering, Data Science, Computer Science, Biology, Physiology, Physics, Mathematics, or a related field - Interest in biomedical imaging, cardiovascular research, or data analysis - Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn new skills - Basic programming experience (MATLAB, Python, or similar) is helpful but not required - Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team - No prior research or ultrasound experience is required. Credit Hours 0 Weekly Hours 8 (estimated)