Tamara Kinzer-Ursem

Tamara Kinzer-Ursem is the Marta E. Gross Professor of Biomedical Engineering and the Associate Dean for Graduate and Professional Education at Purdue University. She holds administrative roles in the Engineering Leadership Team, Graduate Education Office, and Engineering Cabinet. Her research interests span biomedical engineering, neuroscience, and biotechnology, with a focus on neurodegenerative disease mechanisms, microfluidics, and diagnostic tool development.

Prof. Kinzer-Ursem's work integrates experimental and computational approaches to study protein aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases, such as alpha-synuclein's role in Parkinson's. She pioneers microfluidic technologies for biomolecular interaction analysis and rapid pathogen detection. Her innovations include smartphone-based platforms for point-of-care diagnostics, leveraging particle diffusometry for ultra-sensitive detection of pathogens like Vibrio cholerae and SARS-CoV-2.

Her interdisciplinary contributions also extend to computational modeling of drug delivery systems and cell-matrix interactions during tissue development. She is actively involved in educational leadership, advocating for graduate education excellence and first-generation student success through initiatives like the First-Generation Success Team.

Her research has been disseminated through high-impact articles on neurodegeneration mechanisms, microfluidic diagnostic systems, and computational biophysical models. She serves on key committees such as the Engineering Curriculum Committee and contributes to institutional awards and recognition programs.