David Umulis

David Umulis is the Dane A. Miller Head of Biomedical Engineering and Professor of Agricultural & Biological Engineering at Purdue University. His research focuses on systems biology, particularly the mechanisms of Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling and its role in development. He leads the EMBRIO Institute, exploring emergent mechanisms in biological robustness and organization. His work integrates experimental and computational approaches, including finite-element modeling, quantitative microscopy, and data-driven analysis to study BMP regulation in organisms like Drosophila and zebrafish. Key areas include understanding BMP pathway dynamics, tissue-scale patterning, and systems-level interactions.

Research interests span interdisciplinary topics such as morphogen gradient formation, developmental patterning, and computational tools for biological data analysis. His lab develops innovative methods like wavelet-based 3D nuclei segmentation (WaveletSEG) and neural network models to accelerate biological simulations. Collaborations bridge engineering, biology, and medicine, addressing challenges in regenerative engineering and disease mechanisms linked to BMP signaling abnormalities, such as cancer and congenital disorders.

Publications emphasize computational models of BMP signaling, tissue morphogenesis, and systems biology. His work highlights the importance of geometry and scale invariance in developmental processes, with applications in biomedicine and synthetic biology. Umulis also contributes to educational initiatives, exploring computational thinking in engineering curricula and student learning outcomes in interdisciplinary contexts.