Research

CoMet Lab

Laboratory for Computational and Mathematical modeling in Medicine Engineering and Technology

CoMET Lab is an interdisciplinary research group that promotes mathematical and computational methods as virtual laboratories to address problems in medicine, engineering and technology.


Illustrator: M.T. Aulisa



Current team

Giovanna Guidoboni, Director

Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Mathematics

University of Missouri

Riccardo Sacco

Associate Professor, Mathematics

Politecnico di Milano, Italy

Roberto Nunez

Post-doctoral fellow, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Missouri

Mohamed Zaid

PhD Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Missouri

Rajat Rai

PhD Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Missouri

Daphne Zou

PhD Student, Computer Science

University of Missouri

Brent Koogler

PhD Student, Mathematics

University of Missouri

Kenya Massey

PhD Student, Sociology

University of Missouri

Lily Ikoh

MS Student, Applied Mathematics

University of Missouri

Aaron Beckwith

MS Student, Applied Mathematics

University of Missouri

Ryan Sellers

Undergraduate Student, Computer Science

University of Missouri

Maggie Lin

High School Student, Rock Bridge High School

Columbia, MO

Max Litton

High School Student, Rock Bridge High School

Columbia, MO

Major Ongoing Projects

The eye and the body

The eye is the only place in the human body where blood vessels are accessible to noninvasive measurements down to the capillary level. Our research aims at disentangling systemic and local factors that contribute to ocular hemodynamics in order to enable nonivasive measurements in the eye as a window on the status of the eye, the brain and the whole body.

Mathematical and numerical aspects of multiscale and multiphysics models

Problems arising in engineering, medicine and the applied sciences are naturally multiscale and multiphysics. Our research aims at developing mathematical and computational techniques that are necessary to address the complexity of life.

Combining Mechanism-Driven and Data-Driven models to unlock organ function

What is we could build a whole organ simulator by using mechanistic models for what we know and letting a machine learn what we do not know? Our group has joined forces with scientists from 4 other US institutions to make this vision come true for the lower urinary tract.

Noninvasive cardiovascular monitoring

While it is very clear that the "one size fits all" approach is not effective in many areas of medicine, there are so many factors that vary from person to person that it remains very challenging to pin down those that are most relevant in each one of us. Our group is addressing this question by combining mathematical and computational methods with clinical and experimental studies.

Understanding the impact of COVID-19 in rural and urban areas in Missouri

How are rural and urban areas affected by the current pandemic? How can we better address the diverse needs of the people in the state of Missouri and assist them during this time? Our group has joined forces with an interdisciplinary group of scientists to address these issues.

Microvascular exchange and lymphatic function

Why are cardiovascular diseases affecting men and women in different ways? How is the fluid and protein balance achieved within the tissue, and is it different in males and females? What is the role of the lymphatic system in achieving this balance? Our group is addressing these challenging questions by combining experiments and simulations.

National and International Collaborations

Our activities are conducted in collaboration with many institutions, offering numerous opportunities for both faculty and students.


Major partner institutions include:


- Florida International University (FL)

- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (NY)

- North Carolina State University (NC)

- Northeastern University (MA)

- Politecnico di MIlano (Italy)

- University of Strasbourg (France)

- University of Paris-Descartes (France)

- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)

- US Military Academy (West Point, NY)

- Washington State University (WA)

PhD Graduates

[06/2020] Farah Abdelhafid

Mathematics, University of Missouri

Thesis: Mathematical and computational modeling of fluid flow with applications in ophthalmology and geoscience


[09/2019] Lorenzo Sala

Mathematics, University of Strasbourg (France)

Thesis: Modélisation mathématique et simulation de flux sanguins oculaires et leur interactions


[11/2016] Daniele Prada

Mathematics, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

Thesis: A Hybridizable Discontinuous Galerkin method for nonlinear porous media viscoelasticity with applications in ophthalmology


[05/2016] Lucia Carichino

Mathematics,, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

Thesis: Multiscale modeling of ocular blood flow and oxygenation and their relevance to glaucoma


[05/2016] Simone Cassani

Mathematics, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

Thesis: Blood circulation and aqueous humor flow in the eye: multi-scale modeling and clinical applications

MS Graduates - Thesis

[07/2021] Paolo Ranieri

Civil Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Politecnico di Torino, Italy

Thesis: Multiphysics modeling based on nonlinear partial differential equations and finite element simulations: applications to ocular pharmacology and physiology


[12/2020] Nicholas Mattia Marazzi

Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Missouri

Thesis: Ballistocardiography: physically-based modeling to bridge physiology and technology


[04/2019] Francesca Bellucci

Mathematical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy

Thesis: Reduced modeling of ballistocardiograms for passive sensing of cardiovascular health


[12/2018] Giulio Bonifazi

Mathematical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy

Thesis: Electrochemical and fluid dynamical characterization of ciliary epithelium physiology: a multiscale approach


[12/2018] Greta Chiaravalli

Engineering Physics, Politecnico di Milano, Italy

Thesis: A virtual laboratory for retinal physiology: a theoretical study of retinal oxygenation in healthy and disease


[12/2018] Nicholas Mattia Marazzi

Civil Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy

Thesis: An engineering approach to the multiscale modeling of the lymphatic system


[12/2017] Francesca Stefanoni

Biomedical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy

Thesis: The role of ocular biomechanics and hemodynamics in determining intraocular pressure dynamics: a mathematical approach


[12/2017] Fabrizia Salerni

Bioengineering, Universitá degli Studi di Genova (Italy)

Thesis: Design and development of a mathematical model to analyse visual impairment in astronauts


[06/2016] Bassel Haydar

Mathematics, University of Strasbourg (France)

Thesis: Lumped parameter models for cerebrospinal hydrodynamics during the cardiac cycle


[04/2016] Lorenzo Sala

Mathematical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy

Thesis: A cellular scale model of aqueous humor production


[12/2015] Alessandra Cardani

Mathematical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy

Thesis: Theoretical analysis of neurovascular mechanisms contributing to retinal blood flow regulation

MS Graduates - Projects

[05/2021] Rajani Kanth Yempalla

Computer Science, University of Missouri

Project: Mechanism-driven mathematical modeling to study organ function: applications to the cardiovascular system and the lower urinary tract


[07/2020] Snighda Pasham

Computer Science, University of Missouri

Project: Comprehensive software platform for analyzing physiological data and Utilization of a closed-loop mathematical model to characterize cardiovascular implications of sex differences in biophysical parameters


[05/2020] Jessica Wellington

Applied Mathematics, University of Missouri

Project: Development of a mathematical model to investigate iron allocation in plants


[05/2020] Emily Lichtenegger

Applied Mathematics, University of Missouri

Project: Modeling the three main vascular beds in the eye and their connections