Every year, members of GW Engineering’s Biomedical Engineering (BME) Department travel to the Biomedical Engineering Society’s (BMES) Annual Meeting to connect with peers for networking, education, and continued growth in the field. Attracting over 5,100 attendees and featuring more than 140 colleges, universities, and institutes nationwide, GW Engineering will be well represented at this year’s BMES meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, from October 23 through 26, including poster and oral presentations by BME students and conference leadership by Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Grace Zhang.
The meeting theme, “Synergizing Research and Cultural Excellence,” aims to encourage the exploration of how facilitating diverse perspectives strengthens biomedical research and innovation. This mirrors GW Engineering’s belief that diversity drives innovation and is crucial for addressing complex societal challenges, with Zhang’s leadership as Co-Chair exemplifying this dedication.
“This central theme highlights the symbiotic relationship between diverse academic and industry perspectives and cultural inclusion while striving for educational and research excellence,” Zhang stated.
As Co-Chair, Zhang is responsible for supporting all aspects of the conference, from determining program tracks and shaping the agenda to providing progress updates to the Board and fostering relationships with diverse communities to enhance conference support. During the technical program, GW Engineering students will contribute to the knowledge shared at the meeting by showcasing their innovative research in poster and oral presentations.
For example, three BME doctoral students and two undergraduate students studying biology, all working in BME Prof. Matthew Kay’s lab, will attend BMES to present their research results. Emily Cheung and Rebekah Russo will present posters on their studies examining heart failure and the nervous system’s influence on heart health. Additionally, Bridget Alber will give an oral presentation on her findings demonstrating the cardioprotective effects of the hormone oxytocin during heart failure.
Undergraduates Lilly Carter and Sarah Shectman will also present a poster on their studies exploring the effect of heart rate on the progression of hypoxia during ischemic heart disease. Furthermore, Alexis Carmine from BME Prof. Vesna Zderic’s lab will give an oral presentation on utilizing therapeutic ultrasound to stimulate melatonin release as a potential treatment for sleep disorders.
Through these presentations and a booth to engage with prospective graduate and undergraduate students and potential faculty members, the BME Department is sharing the groundbreaking research conducted at GW Engineering, demonstrating their commitment to fostering the next generation of biomedical engineers who will continue to advance the field. The next BMES Annual Meeting is scheduled for October 8 to 11, 2025, in San Diego, California. Don’t miss this opportunity to network, learn, and contribute to this vital professional development event for the BME community!