Biomedical Engineering Project Team

Engineering solutions
that matter.

Cornell DEBUT is an undergraduate project team that develops innovative biomedical devices — from initial concept through prototype — and competes in VentureWell's national DEBUT competition.

Cornell DEBUT Full Team Photo
30+
Active Members
15+
Majors Represented
5
Colleges at Cornell
7
Years Competing

Developing innovative solutions to biomedical needs.

We are a team of undergraduates from across Cornell's colleges who come together to develop novel solutions for real biomedical problems. After two years of research and development, our project is submitted to VentureWell's DEBUT competition — judged on innovation, feasibility, marketability, and patentability.

More than twenty universities — including Columbia and Johns Hopkins — compete annually for up to $20,000.

Learn About DEBUT →
01
Phase I — Year One
The first year focuses on research, concept development, and design. Teams validate the problem, explore technical approaches, and prepare the initial proof-of-concept work that becomes the foundation for Phase II.
02
Phase II — Year Two
The second year emphasizes prototyping, testing, and refinement. Phase II teams build on the Phase I concept with lab work, iterative design improvements, and competition-ready demonstration of the final solution.
03
Business
Patent searches, market analysis, economic feasibility, budgeting, sponsorship, and team operations.
About Us

Who We Are.

We develop innovative biomedical technologies driven by real‑world needs, leveraging the diverse expertise of undergraduate engineers across disciplines.

DEBUT team at work
DEBUT lab work

What is DEBUT?

DEBUT — Design by Biomedical Undergraduate Teams — is a national competition that recognizes undergraduate excellence in biomedical design and innovation. Hosted by VentureWell, it challenges students to solve real-world healthcare problems through a complete biomedical product development process.

Strong submissions demonstrate analytical and design mastery, effective teamwork, and clear technical communication. Projects are judged on problem significance, clinical impact, innovative design, working prototype, market potential, economic feasibility, and patentability.

Venturewell.org →
20+
Universities competing annually
$20k
Top prize awarded by VentureWell
7
Years Cornell DEBUT has competed

What will you work on?

R&D

Research & Development Analyst

R&D analysts are the primary drivers of project brainstorming and development. They analyze gaps in biomedical innovation to generate ideas, then work with CAD and other tools before moving into the lab to develop and test prototypes.

R&D Team
Business

Economic / Business Analyst

Business analysts work alongside R&D to bring each project to life. They conduct patent searches, research regulatory pathways, generate market analyses, determine per‑unit costs, and lead the final competition submission.

Business Team
Operations

Operations Analyst

Ops analysts ensure the efficiency and continued operations of the team. They manage the budget, lead fundraising, negotiate sponsorships, run recruitment, and oversee the website and social media presence.

Operations Team

Our members come from across Cornell.

Students from 5 colleges and over 15 majors and minors, all years, from around the world.

Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Biological Engineering
Biological Sciences
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Operations Research
Information Science
ILR
Applied Economics
…and more

Two years from concept to competition.

01
Year One

Phase I — Research & Design

Teams conduct literature reviews, identify unmet clinical needs, generate and evaluate design concepts, and produce comprehensive design reports. The year concludes with selecting one final concept to advance into Phase II.

Literature Review
Idea Generation
Concept Selection
02
Year Two

Phase II — Prototype & Compete

Teams develop a working prototype, conduct testing and iteration, complete the business case with patent searches and market analysis, then submit the final package to the DEBUT national competition in late spring.

Prototype Development
Testing & Iteration
Competition Submission
Biomedical Engineering Project Team

Our Team.

30 engineers and scientists across six subteams, working on real biomedical devices from concept to competition.

Recruitment

Join DEBUT.

We recruit new members every semester. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Reach out to debut@cornell.edu with any questions.

Applications currently closed

Open Positions

When applications open, positions are available across R&D (Phase I & II) and Business subteams. Both the DEBUT-specific application and the Cornell General Project Team Application must be submitted together.

R&D Analyst — Phase I
Work on brainstorming and early-stage design. Open to all years. CAD experience helpful but not required.
Application link (when open) →
R&D Analyst — Phase II
Prototype development and lab testing. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors preferred.
Application link (when open) →
Business / Econ Analyst
Patent research, market analysis, economic feasibility, report writing, and operations. All majors welcome.
Application link (when open) →
Also required for all applicants
Cornell General Project Team Application →
Questions?
Reach out at debut@cornell.edu

Frequently asked questions.

Do I need to be a BME major to join?
Not at all. Our team includes students from over 15 majors across 5 colleges at Cornell — from Computer Science to Industrial & Labor Relations. Passion for biomedical innovation and a willingness to learn are what matter most.
When do applications open?
We recruit at the beginning of each semester — typically in September for fall and January/February for spring. Follow our Instagram or sign up for our newsletter to be notified when applications open.
What year do I need to be?
We welcome students of all years. Freshmen are encouraged to apply for Phase I and Business roles. Upperclassmen can apply to any subteam. Phase II tends to require more prior experience in the team's two-year cycle.
How much time does DEBUT require per week?
Expect around 4–6 hours per week including team meetings, subteam work sessions, and independent project work. Time commitments can increase closer to the competition submission deadline in late spring.
What is the application process?
You'll need to complete both the DEBUT-specific application and the Cornell General Project Team Application simultaneously. Shortlisted applicants may be invited to a brief interview with team leads. We aim to notify applicants within two weeks of the deadline.
Do I need prior research or engineering experience?
It's helpful but not required, especially for Business and Phase I R&D roles. We provide training and mentorship within the team. For Phase II R&D, some hands-on lab or design experience is a plus.
Sponsorship

Partner with us.

Help bring together a team of incredible minds developing novel biomedical innovations at one of the nation's top engineering universities.

Cornell DEBUT sponsors directly fund undergraduate biomedical research and development — giving students the resources to turn ideas into working prototypes and compete on a national stage.

Sponsors gain visibility within Cornell Engineering, access to talented students, and the opportunity to support the next generation of biomedical innovators. All contributions are tax-deductible.

Sponsorship tiers.

Bronze
$250+
  • Logo on website
  • Social media mention
  • Tax deduction
Silver
$500+
  • Logo on website
  • Social media feature post
  • Newsletter mention
  • Tax deduction
Platinum
$2,500+
  • Premier logo placement
  • Regular social features
  • Event sponsorship credit
  • Team presentation opportunity
  • Tax deduction
Research & Development

Past Projects.

Innovative biomedical solutions developed by DEBUT teams and submitted to copmetition.

HemBrace
2025

HemBrace (Postpartum Hemorrhage Monitoring and Response System)

DEBUT developed HemBrace, a low-cost, reusable system for real-time detection and management of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). The device combines a calibrated flow sensor with a responsive compression belt to measure blood loss and automatically apply graded uterine pressure when excessive bleeding is detected. Data is displayed through an LCD interface with color-coded indicators, while embedded sensors provide feedback to ensure safe and effective compression. Powered by Arduino-based control, the system operates autonomously and adapts to hemorrhage severity. Prototype testing demonstrated high accuracy in both blood loss measurement (96.8%) and pressure response (100%), and when used with existing non-pneumatic anti-shock garments (NASG), HemBrace offers a scalable, cost-effective solution for under-resourced settings.

MeyeAttention
2025

MeyeAttention (Pupillometry-Based Attention Diagnostic System)

DEBUT developed MeyeAttention, a low-cost, wearable diagnostic support device designed to improve ADHD screening through objective measurement of attention dysregulation. The system uses infrared pupillometry during a brief visual oddball task and applies machine learning algorithms to analyze pupil responses associated with cognitive attention states. By reducing assessment time from hours to under 15 minutes, MeyeAttention enables faster and more accessible screening. The platform also has potential for broader neurological applications, including traumatic brain injury, migraines, and photophobia.

NanoLIST
2024

NanoLIST (Non-Invasive Lead Detection in Saliva)

DEBUT developed NanoLIST, a low-cost, rapid saliva-based test kit for detecting lead exposure. The system uses gold nanoparticles that aggregate in the presence of lead ions, producing a visible colorimetric shift. The test consists of a multi-chamber vial system containing reagents including deionized water, hydrochloric acid, gallic acid, and chloroauric acid. The user activates the reaction by mixing saliva with the reagents, initiating nanoparticle synthesis and enabling visual detection of lead contamination within 30 seconds.

SteadyStride
2024

SteadyStride (Self-Stabilizing Cane for Parkinson’s Disease)

DEBUT developed SteadyStride, an assistive cane designed to reduce tremor-induced instability in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The device integrates a tuned mass damper (TMD) within the cane shaft to attenuate tremor amplitude and a shock-absorbing thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) base with textured rubberized treads to enhance ground stability. Experimental testing demonstrated an average 12.25% reduction in cane tremors, with 75% of users reporting improved stability and usability.

MobiLab
2023

MobiLab (Early-Stage Pancreatic Cancer Detection Platform)

DEBUT developed MobiLab, a lab-on-a-disk diagnostic platform for early detection of pancreatic cancer. The system utilizes microfluidic channels on a rotating disk platform operating at 2000 RPM to drive analyte transport via centripetal force and capillary action. Detection is achieved through gold nanoparticle-based colorimetric assays targeting biomarkers such as miR-143, miR-223, and miR-30e, enabling rapid and sensitive visualization of cancer-related signals.

BPLP
2023

BPLP (Block Phantom Limb Pain System)

DEBUT developed BPLP, a sense-and-response system designed to mitigate phantom limb pain (PLP) in amputees. The device uses a gyroscope-based motion tracking system to determine the amputated limb's position within the gait cycle. At critical points—specifically when peak pain would normally occur—a TENS unit delivers targeted electrical stimulation to disrupt pain signaling. This coordinated system reduces perceived phantom pain by counteracting aberrant neural firing associated with limb absence.

Intelli-Patch
2022

Intelli-Patch (Early Driveline Infection Detector)

DEBUT developed Intelli-Patch, a diagnostic adhesive patch for early detection of driveline infections in left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). The device functions as a "bullseye" sensor that monitors discharge levels and produces a colorimetric change when S. aureus concentrations exceed infectious thresholds. This early detection capability enables patients to seek timely medical intervention, with the potential to reduce infection-related mortality, reimplantation rates, and overall healthcare costs.

CABG
2020

CABG (Coronary Bypass Artery Graft Device)

DEBUT developed CABG, a device designed to improve the efficacy and reliability of coronary artery bypass grafting procedures. The device enhances ease of insertion and reduces postoperative complications, particularly blood leakage at the surgical site. It incorporates a novel attachment mechanism to improve arterial sealing while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

SeptuClip
2019

SeptuClip (Intranasal Treatment for Allergic Rhinitis)

DEBUT developed SeptuClip, an intranasal drug delivery device designed as an alternative to traditional allergy medications. The device uses inhalation-facilitated transport to provide continuous, all-day symptom relief. SeptuClip is a disposable, clip-in device that attaches to the nasal septum, enabling locally targeted drug delivery while minimizing drug loss from exhalation.

TUBLOX
2018

TUBLOX (Reversible Tubal Contraceptive Device)

DEBUT developed TUBLOX, a reversible tubal occlusion device designed as an alternative form of long-acting contraception. The system utilizes a minimally invasive catheter-based procedure in which a balloon catheter is inserted through the vaginal canal, uterus, and into the fallopian tube. The balloon is then inflated with a saline-dye solution and secured in place using a fast-acting adhesive to achieve tubal occlusion. The catheter is subsequently removed below the occlusion site. TUBLOX is designed to prevent fertilization for a minimum of six months and can be reversed upon patient request through surgical deflation and removal, with the option for replacement if desired.