Umut A. Gurkan, Ph.D.
Wilbert J. Austin Professor of Engineering
Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case School of Engineering, Case Western Reserve University
Professor Gurkan is the Director of the Case Biomanufacturing and Microfabrication Laboratory at Case Western Reserve University. He holds faculty appointments in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (primary), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Orthopedics, and Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Gurkan’s research is focused on microcirculation, vascular biology, red blood cells, hemoglobin, and the design, development, and translation of microfluidic systems, point-of-care diagnostics for blood disorders, infectious diseases, and cancer. His research program aims to achieve global equitable access to diagnostics and personalized medicine for all.
Professor Gurkan received his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Purdue University in 2010 and completed his postdoctoral training in the Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology in 2012. Dr. Gurkan has authored over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and holds over 14 US Patents. His research and patents have led to four biotechnology companies with products in global markets. Dr. Gurkan has industry roles in start-up companies as the Director of Technology at BioChip Labs Inc. and Senior Scientist at Hemex Health Inc. BioChip Labs Inc. offers commercial clinical microfluidic biomarker assays for blood disorders and cell/gene therapies. Hemex Health Inc. offers affordable point-of-care diagnostics for hemoglobin disorders, anemia, and infectious diseases.
Professor Gurkan has led international clinical studies on technology translation in the United States, Africa, Southeast Asia, and India. His group invented the Gazelle Hb Variant technology, an affordable point-of-care screening test for sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and other common hemoglobin disorders. More than 870,000 Gazelle Hb Variant tests have been sold since its launch by Hemex Health Inc. in more than 30 countries to screen newborns, babies, and children.
Professor Gurkan’s national and international honors include the National Science Foundation CAREER Award, the American Society for Engineering Education Curtis W. McGraw Research Award Finalist, Translational Research Featured New Investigator Award, the Biomedical Engineering Society Rising Star Award, MIT Technology Review Innovator under 35 Award, the Doris Duke Innovations in Clinical Research Award, NHLBI feature in Today’s Faces of Sickle Cell Disease, NHLBI Hope for Sickle Cell Disease Challenge Award, NIH Technology Accelerator Challenge Award, the Wiederhielm Award from the Microcirculatory Society, National Academies US-Africa Frontiers Symposium invited attendee, National Academies Arab-American Frontiers Symposium co-chair, USPTO Patents for Humanity recognition, and USFDA Breakthrough Device Designation.
Professor Gurkan’s institutional honors at Case Western Reserve University include the Faculty Distinguished Research Award, Research Innovator of the Year Award, Faculty Innovator Award, Excellence in Device Innovation Award, Ingenuity Award, International Activity Award, Case School of Engineering Research Award, and Belcher-Weir Family Pediatric Innovation Award.
Professor Gurkan is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Bioengineering Division (Biotransport Committee), the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), the American Society of Hematology (ASH), the Microcirculatory Society, and the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS). He was the Publications Chair of the Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering, and Biotransport Conference (SB3C) 2016.
Professor Gurkan is a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), a member of the New Voices in Science, Engineering, and Medicine Program by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), and a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE).