Prof. Saliterman teaches in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. He develops medical device technology, consults to industry and teaches the courses below. His lectures, projects and other resources can be accessed from the menu items above. Curriculum Vitae NIH Bio-Sketch
Present Courses
BMEN 5151 Introduction to BioMEMS & Medical Microdevices (2 cr.) - Spring 2027
This course is open to senior and graduate students in BME and others during spring semester. Junior students may take this course if they feel prepared. (Prof. Saliterman is author of the textbook, Fundamentals of BioMEMS and Medical Microdevices.) The course content is largely based on current literature, and topics include:
- Micro- & nanofabrication of silicon & polymers.
- Microfluidics - design, transport, and electrokinetics.
- Lab, organ and body-on-a-chip systems.
- Biosensors
- Nanotransducers - Quantum dots and nanoparticles.
- Micro- & nanosensors.
- Biomedical micro- & nanorobotics.
- Actuators & Drug Delivery
- Biocompatibility, FDA & ISO 10993.
PHSL/BMEN 3701 Physiology Lab - Fall Semester
Exercise physiology, fall semester. Lectures on standard & cardiopulmonary exercise testing.
BMEN 4001W and 4002W Senior Design - Fall and Spring Semesters
Senior Design Advisor
Moon Base Student and Faculty Opportunities
The Moon Base is humanity’s first lunar outpost, a place where astronauts will live, work, and explore near the Moon’s South Pole. Through a series of crewed and uncrewed missions, NASA and its partners will build the infrastructure needed to support an enduring human presence on the lunar surface while advancing science, technology, and exploration for the benefit of all. (Images courtesy of NASA) NASA Moon Base Website Moon Base Student Project Suggestions Thriving in Space - NASA BPS Decadal Survey 2023-2032
Past Courses
Prof. Saliterman founded, but is no longer teaching the courses below. Please see your Academic Schedule Builder to learn more about their availability, who is teaching them, and the curriculum content.
BMEN 2151 Introductory Medical Device Prototyping - Traditionally Spring
This course is for BME sophomore students in the spring semester, and may be taken by other students in the College of Science & Engineering or Health Sciences by request.
- Design opportunities in medicine.
- Engineering drawing with SolidWorks.
- 3D printing (FDM, polyjet and bio), and laser cutting.
- Modeling anatomical structures from imaging data.
- Lathe, mill, and other shop instruction.
- Biomaterials & biocompatibility.
- Digital and analog electronics, simulation software & test equipment.
- Programming microcontrollers in C.
- Microcontroller, sensor and actuator hardware.
- Medical device innovation and regulation.
- Industry tour.
BMEN 3151 Medical Device Practicum - Traditionally Fall
This course is for junior students who already have basic skills in shop, engineering drawing, electronics and programming, and now wish to build a medical device prototype. Having taken BMEN 2151 (or similar course in ME or EE) is a prerequisite. You may work in teams of 1 to 4 students, and will have access to physician and nursing advisors from the medical school and the BME department as needed. You may select any project you wish, or from a list of projects. Devices may also incorporate molecular and cellular biology, and neuromodulation based on your interests. Facilities include the EBMDC and Anderson Labs. Prof. Saliterman will provide technical and clinical support for every team.
The course also includes a seminar series on medical device innovation with guest speakers from industry. Refreshments are served at every session. The seminar series occurs in the Brainstorming room of the EBMDC.
Grading is based on your participation, projects, and small poster (or optionally a paper). There are no examinations. Seminar topics include:
- Physician lead discussion of design opportunities in medicine.
- Device discovery and ideation, product life cycle, and design controls.
- FDA regulations, including premarket (510k and PMA) and post-market requirements.
- Intellectual property, including patents, trademark, copyright and trade secrets.
- Technology transfer and commercialization.
- Risk management and human factors engineering.
- Entrepreneurship in the medical device industry.
Prof. Steven Saliterman is a VentureWell™ Faculty Grant recipient and has served in the Department of Biomedical Engineering for over 24 years. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and a Senior Member of SPIE (International Society for Optics & Photonics).
A graduate of Mayo Medical School and Mayo Internal Medicine, Prof. Saliterman also worked at the NASA Johnson Space Center as an intern in the Life Sciences Division, and later as a Research Fellow in the Cardiovascular Laboratory at NASA Ames Research Center. He is a past Chair of the Department of Medicine at Methodist Hospital and a co‑founder and past president of the Mayo Medical School Alumni Society.
Selected to attend the renowned National Youth Science Camp (NYSC) in West Virginia, Prof. Saliterman has spent a lifetime engaged in science, volunteerism (having never accepting compensation for teaching), and efforts to reduce social strife. After receiving a congratulatory telegram from Neil Armstrong five days prior to to his journey to the moon, he and two other NYSC campers traveled directly to the cape to observe the launch of Apollo 11.
His early engineering foundations included designing and building a functioning computer and remote terminal at age 14 (1965–1969). At just 18 years old, he became the youngest person ever appointed to a Minnesota State Board of Education committee — the 'Computers in the Classroom' task force, resulting in landmark changes for Minnesota students.
While he has authored peer‑reviewed publications he considers his students’ accomplishments far more important than his own. Students and colleagues are welcome to meet and discuss classes and projects at his office in NHH (see below) or for assistance with meeting curriculum new accessibility requirements.
He co‑chaired the 2026 Design of Medical Devices (DMD) Medical Education Training Contributing Papers Topic (continuing a role held since 2023). He also served as moderator for the Advances in Medical Devices session in 2025 and was co‑chair and moderator of the COVID‑19 session in 2021.
Prof. Saliterman was been selected to the Executive Committee of the Lunar Exploration Advisory Group (LEAG) as the Biological and Physical Sciences Community Liaison. He is also a member of the University of Minnesota Accessible STEM Content Advisory Group.
Set Up a Meeting
Student office hours this Fall semester are on Tuesday mornings at 10:00. Please email the day before or sooner to schedule a time. Faculty, industry, and community may schedule time this Fall semester on Thursdays. Please call, text or email at least the day before.
WCCO Minnovators Video
This webpage contains archived content created before April 26, 2027 that remains here for reference, research, or record containing purposes only, and may not meet accessibility standards. Please email Prof. Saliterman for further assistance at [email protected].