Dr. Kaiming Ye, associate professor of biomedical engineering, began teaching at the University of Arkansas in 2004. He earned a bachelor’s of science, master’s of science and a doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Shanghai.
Intro to engineering
Ye didn't forsee becoming a biomedical engineer. He began as a nuclear physicist. Originally from China, he took interest-based tests there and made one of the highest scores possible, which gave him the freedom to study anywhere and anything he wanted.
Upon entering the workforce, he was drawn to the petroleum industry, and enjoyed it. “I liked industry very much…it’s rewarding because you see the product actually work,” he said. But soon, Ye turned to the field of medicine. “Molecular biology became important at the time…to the quality of life and the impact of DNA technology, DNA modified genetics and how to practice medicine,” he said.
Engineering Influences
Ye’s first research endeavor was a bio-fermentation project. “Working with Penicillin, we designed a bio-reactor fermentation system that was 300 tons, four-stories high,” he said. “As an on-site engineer, I participated in vitamin C design bioreactor control system. This research experience was a crucial because it brought his career to where it is today.
Ye never chose a scientific role model or tried to emulate any of his advisors; a quality that he says has driven and molded him. “I’m self-determined,” he said. “I convinced myself that I could be a chemical, biomedical engineer by doing that first research project.” And that was all the direction he needed.
University of Arkansas
Ye became a part of the University of Arkansas because he was excited about the opportunity to be a part of a budding biological engineering program.
In addition to teaching and researching, Ye advises several students and spoke very highly of them. “They work very hard, are very intelligent, very active, very involved in classroom discussion, smart…” he said. “When I ask hard questions, they answer quickly. It’s encouraging.”
“Communicating with them is rewarding. They make a difference.”
Research
Ye is working on a number of biomedical research projects at the moment. His main research focuses on turning a Beta Cell differentiation into a bio-function cell treatment to improve the glucose sensor, which he spent a couple of years developing and improving.
“Diabetes patients are constantly monitoring glucose levels because they have no beta cells in the pancreas that can fend off disease,” he said. This dependence is a severe impediment, in many ways because everyday tasks are made difficult by the disease when, perhaps, they don’t have to be. “These patients cannot go to the beach, they have holes in them everywhere (from monitoring,)” he said.
Ye’s research could lead to the end of diabetes. By recreating beta cells and transplanting them into patients’ bodies, the cells could create insulin in the body and eliminate the disease. If this is successful, it could bring hope to similar treatments for other diseases.
Off the Clock
When Ye isn’t conducting research or advising students, he spends a lot of time watching sci-fi movies and other genres, a habit he developed to counter the hours of consecutive problem-solving. “I like to go hiking and also like to travel a lot on holidays,” he said.
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