Diné College Students present at IEEE Biomedical Imaging Symposium.
April 25, 2025
Tsaile, Ariz. Two Diné College students recently had the honor of presenting their innovative research at the 22nd IEEE International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging (ISBI 2025) in Houston, Texas. This prestigious event, known for showcasing cutting-edge developments in biomedical imaging, provided a prominent platform for the students’ work.
Graduate student Alana Benally, who will receive her Master of Science (MS) in Biology this May, and Honors Scholar Sheldon Chee, who is pursuing both a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biomedical Science and an MS in Biology, presented their respective first-author research papers at the conference. Their contributions exemplify the caliber of work emerging from Diné College.
Benally’s research, titled “Effect of using suboptimal coefficients for Laplacian estimation with t-Lead electrodes on human electroencephalogram data and via finite element method modeling,” explored ways of enhancing noninvasive electrophysiological signals for current commercial solutions. Her efforts earned her a highly competitive travel grant, a testament to her outstanding academic achievement.
Chee, who is on track to complete his BS by Fall 2025 and MS by Spring 2026, presented a paper entitled “Normalized mutual information in phantom model and human electroencephalogram data for emulation of conventional disc electrode via the outer ring of tripolar concentric ring electrode.” His work explores ways to emulate different commercial electrode modalities through one another further demonstrating Diné College’s commitment to advancing biomedical science research.
“These accomplishments highlight the exceptional talent of our students,” said Oleksandr Makeyev, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School of STEM, who is their thesis advisor and head of the Diné College’s Mathematics for Engineering Applications (MEA) laboratory: “Their hard work and innovation not only represent our institution but also contribute meaningfully to the broader scientific community.
As always, we are very grateful for the support from the National Science Foundation’s Tribal Colleges and University Program whose recent award 2415867 allows our students to present their work at flagship conferences like ISBI.”
The ISBI conference attracts top researchers and provides a critical forum for discussion and collaboration in biomedical imaging. Participation in this prestigious event underscores Diné College’s dedication to academic excellence and advancing opportunities for its students.
Diné College is a tribally controlled institution serving the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities. It is committed to providing quality higher education while promoting Diné values, innovation, and academic achievement.
