We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Byeol “Star” Kim, USF’s newest Assistant Professor of Medical Engineering! Her arrival marks a bold addition to our vibrant research landscape, one that promises to yield new breakthroughs across bioengineering, AI‑enabled healthcare, and surgical simulation. She brings her expertise in Extended Reality (VR/AR), Human-Centered Medical Systems, Machine Learning and 3D Printing. With roles in USF Medical Engineering, Morsani College of Medicine and USF CAMLS (Center for Advanced Medical Learning Simulation), we look forward to the impact she will make in Tampa and beyond. Dr. Kim earned her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and M.S. and B.S. from the University of Maryland, College Park, in Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering (with a minor in International Engineering).
At USF, Dr. Kim is developing battery‑free, electronic‑free, 3D‑printed VR/AR controllers and goggles for smartphone‑based simulations. These devices aim to make immersive medical training and therapy tools affordable, accessible, and adaptable, helping reduce health disparities worldwide. Her current and future research directions include:
- Building AI‑powered, clinician‑friendly interfaces for diagnosis, treatment planning, and skill development.
- Creating immersive, low‑cost simulation platforms for surgical education and behavioral health therapy.
- Applying human‑centered design and rapid prototyping to translate engineering innovations into practical healthcare solutions.
Her previous work at Johns Hopkins includes CorFix, a VR-based cardiac surgical planning system that supports 3D diagnosis, design custom vascular grafts, and assess predicted hemodynamic performance for informed surgical decision.
Dr. Kim’s appointment fortifies USF’s commitment to multidisciplinary innovation, advancing technology that empowers medical practitioners to deliver more precise and personalized care. We are honored to have her aboard and her journey is already off to a shining bright start.