Biomedical Engineering Fall 2023 Update
Finding gratitude in the wake of a medical scare
Dear BME community,
Life-threatening events have a way of urging us to be grateful for what we have.
Our department was poignantly reminded of this in recent weeks, when one of our faculty members, Dave Odde, suffered a stroke. Fortunately his family acted quickly and called 911, and the medical team had the proper biomedical engineering technology to rapidly remove the clot. For these reasons Dave has already realized a swift and smooth recovery.
The scare has magnified my deep appreciation for our faculty, the pillars of our department. They work tirelessly to advance our understanding of healthcare and disease, improve peoples’ lives with their ingenuity, and train the next generation of biomedical engineers.
In the past few months alone, our faculty have proven the life-saving potential of long-term organ preservation, published a clinical trial that saw restored mobility in patients with paralysis, and helped secure a $16 million grant to uncover the brain’s “wiring diagram.” Read on for these and other highlights.
In support of these efforts, I am pleased to announce our first faculty impact fellowship, recognizing the monumental impact of our faculty and a commitment to their growth and wellbeing.
I thank them for their commitment, passion, and drive, and for reminding me how good we have it.
Brenda Ogle
Professor and Head
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Feature Story
Alexander Opitz receives Boston Scientific Faculty Impact Fellowship
The three-year appointment will provide Prof. Opitz with additional resources for his lab, allow him to hire students, and seed fund projects that help advance his research on diseases that impact the brain.
Research Highlights
Researchers perform first successful transplant of functional cryopreserved rat kidney
A research team that includes Prof. John Bischof has proven the life-saving potential of long-term organ preservation at ultra-low temperatures by successfully transplanting a rewarmed kidney in a rat and restoring full kidney function.
Giving patients with paralysis a way to move again
20 out of 20 patients saw significant effects after receiving a spinal cord implant — one woman even began moving her legs again after 23 years. Results are from a clinical trial that includes Prof. Tay Netoff.
Study shows metformin lowers the risk of getting long COVID
A simulator developed by Prof. David Odde and his team was used in a large, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
New center for optimizing neuromodulation therapies
A new grant to Profs. Tay Netoff and Alex Opitz and their Mayo Clinic collaborators aims to advance neuromodulation therapies such as deep brain stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and vagal nerve stimulation.
Funding Highlights
BME co-leads $16M grant to uncover the “wiring diagram” of the brain
To reveal the connectivity of the brain, the research team will use a serial optical coherence scanner developed by Prof. Taner Akkin, a PI of the grant.
Kyoko Yoshida receives NSF CAREER award
Prof. Kyoko Yoshida has received one of the nation’s most prestigious early-career research grants, which will support her work to advance the health of pregnant patients and babies.
Student Highlights
BME PhD students’ start-up receives highly competitive NSF award
“We're one step closer to disrupting the industry and bringing about affordable and clinically valuable MRI technology,” says Efraín Torres, the grant’s PI and a recent graduate of our PhD program.
Efraín Torres named Student Entrepreneur of the Year
Through his start-up, Adialante, Torres is working hard to bring better, cheaper MRIs to patients.
BME students and postdoc receive high honors at 2023 SB3C
BME community members received multiple honors — including a first place, two second place, and three finalist positions — in the student paper competition during the 2023 Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering, and Biotransport Conference (SB3C).
BME PhD student wins top prize in national research pitch competition
BME PhD student Tate Shannon bested 46 contestants in a pitch competition hosted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Award Highlights
Hubert Lim honored with Award for Excellence in Academic Unit Service
A letter nominating Prof. Lim praised his strong work ethic, positive attitude, advocacy for junior faculty, and willingness to take on and succeed in team science.
BME recognized by Insight into Diversity magazine for second year in a row
Our high school internship program has received the "Inspiring Programs in STEM" award from Insight into Diversity magazine for the second year in a row.