Biomedical Systems history

In 1990, the Biomechanics and Biomaterials Research Center (BBRC) was founded to promote multidisciplinary, inter-institutional research that crosses the traditional division between biomechanics and dentistry/medicine.

In 1996, the department received a multimillion-dollar Whitaker Development Award, which helped shift focus to biomedical engineering at the cellular and molecular levels.

By 1997, the student body had grown to more than 200 undergraduate students and 120 graduate students.

In 1999, the Cleveland Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) Center launched.

In 2000, the department was awarded a continuation and extension of the Whitaker Development Award.

In 2002, the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society celebrated its 50th Anniversary.

With continued growth, including the addition of an undergraduate degree program and the start of a new state-of-the art facility, and the generous support of the Weldon family, the biomedical engineering department became the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering in November 2004.

The National Foundation for Cancer Research Center for Molecular Imaging at Case Western Reserve was launched in 2006.

The Department of Biomedical Informatics was founded in the summer of 2009 with support from UC San Diego's Department of Medicine, Medical Center, and the Dean of the School of Medicine.

In 2011, the concentration in biomedical informatics was approved for the programs leading to (1) a master’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering and (2) a Ph.D. degree in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, and the first students were enrolled.