Welcome to the UEIL
Led by Prof. Elisa Konofagou, the Ultrasound and Elasticity Imaging Laboratory works on developing novel, ultrasound-based techniques for both imaging and therapeutic applications. Some of the ongoing research in the UEIL includes:
-
Enabling targeted drug delivery to the brain by opening the blood-brain barrier with focused ultrasound.
-
Mapping the mechanical and electromechanical properties of the heart using myocardial elastography and electromechanical wave imaging.
-
Monitoring High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) ablation therapy with harmonic motion imaging.
-
Using pulse wave imaging to quantify arterial wall mechanics and blood flow dynamics to characterize vascular diseases, including carotid atherosclerosis and hypertension.
-
Modulating neural activity in the central and peripheral nervous system through high-intensity focused ultrasound.
The UEIL is located in the Columbia University Medical Center at the New York Presbyterian Hospital and is part of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University. If you have any additional inquiries, or if you would be interested in collaborating with our laboratory, please feel free to contact us.
Latest Lab Events and Celebrations
Image Carousel with 10 slides
A carousel is a rotating set of images. Use the previous and next buttons to change the displayed slide
-
Slide 1: UEIL at the BME Department Celebration 2026
-
Slide 2: Lab Halloween 2025!
-
Slide 3: First Lady of Greece visits UEIL
-
Slide 4: Solar Eclipse 2024!
-
Slide 5: Jad's Defense Celebration Dinner! Congratulations Jad!
-
Slide 6: Recent and Soon-to-be Alumni Farewell
-
Slide 7: Annual Lab Outing
-
Slide 8: Halloween costume contest
-
Slide 9: 2022 Commencement
-
Slide 10: Grigorios phd defense celebration! Congrats doc!
Latest News
Farewell Celebration for Kaylyne
On September 4, we gathered for a bittersweet farewell celebration for Kaylyne! As our sonographer for both the PWI and Cardiac groups, Kaylyne played an important role in our research, but her support and positive presence were felt throughout the entire lab.
Kaylyne has been such a wonderful part of our lab community, and we are incredibly grateful for all of her help, kindness, and energy. We are so proud of you, Kaylyne, and cannot wait to see all that you will accomplish in this next chapter!
New Publication in Nature Scientific Reports by Jonas Bendig
Jonas Bendig's research has been published in Nature Scientific Reports!
Dr. Melina Tourni's Study Published in PNAS
The study, “Electromechanical Activation and Recovery Wave Imaging for Pediatric Mitral Valve Disease Characterization,” demonstrates how Electromechanical Wave Imaging (EWI) can reveal subtle abnormalities in cardiac activation and recovery associated with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and mitral regurgitation (MR).