About the center
Goals and Objectives
The BioMedical Innovation Center (BIC) conducts research and educational activities focused on developing innovative applications of 3D printing, hyperspectral imaging, intrinsic technology, and 3D image segmentation, among others, with an impact on biomedical research while contributing to the training of the next generation of inventors in Puerto Rico.
This goal is achieved by…
- Enrolling K-12 and undergraduate students in projects applying 3D printing, hyperspectral imaging, and intrinsic technology to the development of biomedical educational and research tools,
- Identifying potential biomedical applications for advanced technologies available at BIC, and
- Conducting seminars and workshops (virtual) to promote biomedical research among high school, undergraduate, and graduate students in collaboration with other research programs and institutions.
Description of Facilities
The Biomedical Innovation Center (BIC) is housed in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico Campus Medical Sciences. The Center was established in 2016 to introduce new technologies and stimulate biomedical innovation among students and faculty by providing opportunities to help develop existing patents and generate new patents. The BIC team has an impressive collection of practical skill sets in science, innovation, programming, and educational innovation activities. In addition to the principal investigators, the BIC staff includes engineers and professional programmers. A group of collaborators within and outside Puerto Rico also participates in the research and educational activities.
The physical facilities of BIC are distributed in three specialized research areas, all with internet access:
- A316 – Dedicated to 3D design and printing, and Segmentation of medical images (CT and MRI Scans) houses Dell and Apple computer systems, file cabinets and modular working areas.
- A317 – A dedicated instrumentation facility that includes light and fluorescence microscopes, a spectrophotometer, and a hyperspectral imaging system.
- A318—Electronics setups with an advanced soldering station and digital oscilloscope, a high-resolution 3D scanner, a prototype construction section, wireless streaming video cameras, and a video conferencing area.
Meet Our Team
The BioMedical Innovation Center has a team with a wide range of innovation skill sets and experience in 3D design, 3D printing, mechanical engineering, materials science, electrical circuit design and fabrication, product production, intellectual property protection, and general technology business skills.
Emma Fernández-Repollet, Ph.D.
Professor and Executive Director
BioMed Innovation Center
email: e.fernandez@upr.edu
Abe Schwartz, Ph.D.
Associate Professor – Ad Honorem
Scientific Director
BioMed Innovation Center
email: abraham.schwartz@upr.edu
Ricardo Nieves, BS
Bioinformatics Specialist
BioMed Innovation Center
email: bic.rcm@upr.edu
