Department of Biomedical & Chemical Engineering

The Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering at UT San Antonio's Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees with a focus on experiential, hands-on learning that prepares our graduates to excel in our rapidly growing fields of expertise.

Biomedical engineering programs have been offered since 2004 and chemical engineering enrolled its first class in 2017. Our department is rapidly expanding and contributing to the greater academic community, which is a great testament to the quality and dedication of the students, staff and faculty and the interdisciplinary environment at Klesse.

Explore the Department

Learn more about our disciplines, facilities, faculty and student experience.

Student Resources

Latest News

Read All News Stories

Showcase participants and students Michael Mauricio, Zeina Hijazi and Edgar Zamorano with philanthropist Harvey Najim.

January 28, 2026

Students fuel their future with scholarships from experiential learning showcase

Published by UT San Antonio Today

Illustration of nanoparticles created in Dr. Gonzalez Porras’ Lab that transform white fat cells into heat-producing beige fat cells. This technology was first designed for obesity treatment and is now being adapted for cold-injury therapy.

December 4, 2025

Klesse Professor Receives Grant to Advance Her Nanoparticle Therapy Beyond Conceptual

Published by Sean M. Wood

Southwest Research Institute and The University of Texas at San Antonio are funding the development of a smart biosensor coating to enable continuous monitoring and characterization of cells during the production of immunotherapies. Co-investigators Carlos M. Cantu, an SwRI research engineer, and Dr. Gabriela Romero Uribe, an associate professor in UT San Antonio’s Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design, plan to use smart sensors to automate processes to reduce human errors and costs associated with CAR T-cell production. Photo credit: Courtesy of SwRI

October 22, 2025

UT San Antonio, SwRI Collaboration Developing More Affordable Biosensors to Aid Cancer Treatment

Published by Sean M. Wood

Biomedical Engineering & Chemical Engineering Faculty

Nehal Abu-Lail, Ph.D.

Professor, Chair of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering , Chemical Engineering

Mark R. Appleford, Ph.D.

Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs, Department of Biomedical Engineering

Rena Bizios, Ph.D.

Lutcher Brown Endowed Distinguished University Chair Professor, Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering

Eric Brey, Ph.D.

Dean, David and Jennifer Spencer Distinguished Chair , Edward E. Whitacre, Jr. Endowed Chair , Department of Biomedical Engineering

Mario Flores, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering (joint appointment with Department of Biomedical Engineering)

Laura Gaviria, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Instruction, Department of Biomedical Engineering

Hugo Giambini, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering

Maria Gonzalez Porras, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering

Aleksandra Gruslova, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Research, Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering

Teja Guda, Ph.D.

Associate Dean, Graduate School, Jacobson Distinguished Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Professor, Program Director, Biomedical Technology Commercialization, Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering

Gary Jacobs, Ph. D.

Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering

Shalinee Kavadiya, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering

Marzieh Memar, Ph.D., P.E.

Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering

Anson Ong, Ph.D.

Research Integrity Officer Sr. Director Research Integrity, Infrastructure USAA Foundation Distinguished Professor, Biomedical Engineering & Chemical Engineering

Araceli Ortiz, Ph.D.

Professor, UTSA Microsoft President's Endowed Professor 2024/2025 HACU Leadership Academy Fellow, Biomedical Engineering & Chemical Engineering/Interdisciplinary Learning & Teaching