Markia Bowe, Ph.D.
Instructional Assistant professor
With a dedication to higher education, Bowe completed her Ph.D. in biomedical engineering at the University of Florida in 2023. Guided by Dr. Kyle Allen, her research exemplifies her commitment to advancing the field. Her educational journey began at Kettering University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Biological Engineering in 2017. Her research focuses on understanding the relationship between subchondral bone remodeling, gait changes, and pain in osteoarthritis.
During her undergraduate years, Bowe actively contributed to the educational ecosystem by tutoring fellow students through the National Society of Black Engineers and the Black Unity Congress. Her enthusiasm for teaching grew as a graduate student, where she served as a teaching assistant for two undergraduate courses and delivered guest lectures for the biomedical engineering department. Recognizing the significance of merging education with outreach, she co-founded the Bahamian Collegiate Advancement Society, dedicated to increasing international student representation in universities through precollege programs.
Additionally, Bowe served as a mechanical engineering stream instructor for the Bahamas Engineering Technology Advancement group, promoting STEM education among high school students. Her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is evident in her leadership roles. She played a pivotal role in the University of Florida’s BME Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access committee, spearheading initiatives to cultivate an inclusive environment within the department. Her advocacy includes planning events that celebrate diversity, fostering open communication between students and faculty, and collaborating with various organizations on impactful STEM outreach efforts.
Chris Geiger, Ph.D.
Instructional Associate professor
Dr. Geiger earned his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University in 2003, studying under the guidance of Dr. Matt Glucksberg and Dr. Chris Waters. His doctoral research demonstrated his early dedication to advancing our understanding of critical biomedical phenomena. His academic journey also includes a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, both from Northwestern University.
As one of the founding faculty members of the Bioengineering program at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), Geiger has played an instrumental role in its growth and development. Having witnessed the continued growth and success of the UF BME program over the past 15 years, Geiger is excited to contribute to the further growth and excellence of the department’s undergraduate curriculum. He views his appointment as a natural progression of his career, aligning perfectly with his skills and passions. Dr. Geiger’s extensive experience as a faculty member at FGCU includes the development of the initial Bioengineering curriculum and the teaching of various engineering courses.
Over the past 15+ years, he has nurtured a diverse range of students, bringing expertise in areas such as engineering design, cellular and tissue engineering, and engineering fundamentals.
In his new capacity, Geiger will spearhead the Senior Design Program, a pivotal initiative that empowers students to devise solutions to real-world challenges. This role will equip them with a robust foundation in intellectual property, engineering economics, federal regulations, reimbursement principles, and business planning, positioning them for success in a dynamic engineering landscape.
Kuang Gong, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Gong brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in medical imaging, deep learning, and data science, which is expected to significantly contribute to the advancement of research and education in the department.
Prior to joining UF BME, Dr. Gong served as an assistant professor in the Department of Radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, where he conducted research in the field of medical imaging. He obtained his M.S. degree in statistics and Ph.D. degree in biomedical engineering from the prestigious University of California at Davis. Furthermore, he pursued postdoctoral training in the Department of Radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, solidifying his expertise in the intersection of medicine and engineering.
Dr. Gong’s research interests are centered around the convergence of deep learning, medical imaging, and data science to enhance the diagnosis and treatment monitoring of various diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cancer. His work involves developing novel methodologies in medical physics-informed deep learning, leveraging prior information-guided network design, and applying clinical task-driven network training for more accurate and precise results.
During his academic career, Dr. Gong has an impressive track record of scholarly accomplishments, with 32 published journal papers and multiple research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He was also recognized with the prestigious Bruce H. Hasegawa Young Investigator Medical Imaging Science Award from the IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society in 2021. This award acknowledges his outstanding contributions to machine learning-based PET image reconstruction, denoising, and attenuation correction, which have significant implications for the field of medical imaging.