Marie Muller is working on making biomedical ultrasound devices that could give us new information about patient health, be accessible to a broader range of institutions and ultimately save lives.

“This could make advanced imaging available at the bedside, in rural or low-resource settings and during critical care when rapid, portable tools are essential,” she said.

Muller’s research has taken her to universities near and far, including Institut Langevin in France; Erasmus MC, a university medical center in Holland; and Duke University. Through these experiences, she’s seen the critical impact the university ecosystem has on innovation.

“The ability to travel, visit multiple research groups and collaborate across countries is essential for developing new knowledge and innovative solutions to complex problems,” she said.

This interview with Muller is part of an ongoing series in which we ask NC State faculty about their academic research, their motivations and their advice for students.

What is your area of expertise, and what motivated you to pursue it?

My expertise is in biomedical ultrasound, especially developing new ways to extract quantitative information about changes in tissues and characterize complex tissues like bone and lung. I am motivated by the potential of ultrasound to provide safe, real-time and accessible information about tissues, and by the challenge of integrating physics, engineering and medicine to solve clinically relevant problems.

What kind of larger issues do you think your research could solve?

My work supports more remote accessible healthcare. By improving ultrasound’s ability to characterize complex tissues, we can provide high-quality diagnostic information without reliance on large, expensive imaging systems that require a highly trained user.

Why is university-based research important?

University research teaches us how to think – how to question assumptions, recognize what we don’t yet understand and approach problems with curiosity and rigorous critical thinking. It provides the intellectual space to explore ideas without predetermined outcomes and to train students in the process of discovery. This environment is essential for developing new knowledge and innovative solutions to complex problems.

Describe your research in five words or less.

Ultrasound characterization of human tissues.

What advice do you have for a student who wants to pursue similar research?

Build a strong foundation in physics, signal processing and computation, and stay curious about how these tools apply to real biological problems. Get hands-on experience early through labs, internships or research projects. Be curious and explore interdisciplinary fields. Be willing to learn and adapt, because research moves quickly.