# The Unified Medical Ultrasound Technology Development (UNMUTED) Predoctoral Training Program

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2024 · $187,980

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Ultrasound is one of the most widely used medical imaging modalities worldwide, with recent usage growth
attributed to swift technology advancements in complementary subdisciplines. Ultrasound technology
development continues to advance at lighting pace, with new capabilities rapidly maturing as the latest
contributions from a wide spectrum of interdisciplinary fields converge. In concert with ultrasound’s inherent
safety, cost efficiency, and portability (which make it the only accessible imaging modality to much of the
world’s population), the potential for advanced ultrasound to dramatically impact patient care is enormous.
However, to fully realize this potential, such exciting innovations must become commercially available.
Therefore, it is vitally important to prepare the next generation of ultrasound engineers to develop ultrasound
innovations that are clinically meaningful and commercially relevant. To meet this critical need, the Unified
Medical Ultrasound Technology Development (UNMUTED) pre-doctoral training program combines clinically-
oriented, world-class instruction in the physics and engineering of medical ultrasound technology development
with preparation for commercial translation. Importantly, training is done in the context of The Research
Triangle Park region of North Carolina, a prominent biotechnology hub and home to an unrivaled consortium of
ultrasound technology experts. By participating in the UNMUTED predoctoral training program, trainees
will uniquely gain the collaborative, technical, and commercialization skills necessary to transition
their work from advanced research and development to commercially available products that
meaningfully impact patient care. Specific Aim #1 is to give trainees first-hand experience communicating
and collaborating with physician scientists to identify new ultrasound applications that meet clinically important
needs. Specific Aim #2 is to provide trainees an unparalleled foundation in the physics and engineering of
medical ultrasound to move from initial ideation, to feasible implementation, to clinical validation. Specific Aim
#3 is to prepare trainees to commercially translate advanced ultrasound technologies through a combination of
didactic training and mentorship by ultrasound entrepreneurs and industry experts. Additional professional
skills development, including in effective written and oral communication, scientific rigor, and the responsible
conduct of research, will be a highlight of the training experience. UNMUTED will be administered by the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) and North Carolina State University (NCSU) Joint
Department of Biomedical Engineering and directed by Dr. Caterina Gallippi, a Professor in the UNC, NCSU
Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering and a seasoned expert in medical ultrasound technology
development with extensive experience in doctoral education. Dr. Gallippi will be assisted by two Associate
Directors and a Seni...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10828772
- **Project number:** 5T32EB034214-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Caterina M Gallippi
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $187,980
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-05-01 → 2028-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10828772

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10828772, The Unified Medical Ultrasound Technology Development (UNMUTED) Predoctoral Training Program (5T32EB034214-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10828772. Licensed CC0.

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