TFAM Lab Receives an NIH Grant to Advance Hearing Preservation Research

The Thermal Fluids and Medicine Lab is thrilled to announce that Dr. Fateme Esmailie, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of North Texas, has received her first NIH award — a $535,758 grant from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) for her project, "Development of a Dynamic Hypothermia Protocol for Hearing Loss Prevention."

About the Project

Over the next three years, we will explore a new approach to preventing noise-induced hearing loss through targeted, mild therapeutic hypothermia. By combining computational modeling, experimental validation, and device development, the project aims to create a non-invasive cooling system capable of delivering precise and uniform cooling to the inner ear.

This work could help advance hearing preservation strategies for individuals at increased risk of noise-induced hearing damage, including military personnel, firefighters, and patients undergoing certain medical treatments.

Beyond its scientific goals, the project will provide UNT undergraduate and graduate students with hands-on, interdisciplinary research experience spanning biomedical engineering, computational modeling, and auditory neuroscience.

Join the Lab

With this new project underway, the lab has open positions for undergraduate students interested in contributing to this research. Interested students can reach out to Dr. Esmailie at fateme.esmailie@unt.edu.




[Aug 20, 2026] Ricardo Rodriguez Named UNT EMBRACE Fellow

Ricardo RodriguezThe Thermal Fluids and Medicine Lab is proud to congratulate Ricardo Rodriguez, PhD student in the UNT Biomedical Engineering Department, on his acceptance into the UNT EMBRACE program.

The EMBRACE fellowship provides Ricardo with protected research time and specialized training designed to strengthen his skills as he advances through his PhD and prepares for the next stage of his research career.
Ricardo has been a valued member of the Thermal Fluids and Medicine Lab for the past three years, and this recognition reflects his dedication and growth as a researcher. We are excited to see how this opportunity shapes his continued work and look forward to supporting him through the training ahead.

Congratulations, Ricardo — well deserved!