Understanding the complex mechanics of biological systems is essential for advancing both clinical treatments and medical device design. We combine advanced computational modeling to address two critical areas: voice production and stent optimization. For voice production, we simulate the interaction between airflow and vocal folds to gain deeper insights into the biomechanics of sound generation, enabling more effective treatments for voice disorders. By developing novel simulation techniques, we capture the dynamics of airflow, tissue vibration, and acoustic wave propagation, enhancing our understanding of both normal and disordered voice function with applications in medical diagnostics and vocal health. For stents, we focus on design and performance optimization for cardiovascular applications. Using simulations, we study how stents interact with blood flow and arterial walls, accounting for material properties, blood flow dynamics, and mechanical stresses, particularly during restenosis caused by tissue regrowth.

Lead PI: Dr. Lucy Zhang