Congratulations to Professor Vesna Zderic on being named the next Chair of the Biomedical Engineering (BME) Department! After receiving a Ph.D. from the University of Washington and completing a post-doctoral fellowship at the National Space Biomedical Research Institute, Professor Zderic joined the GW Engineering faculty in 2006, first in the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department and later in the BME Department.
Since then, she has held various roles within the department, school, and university that have provided the knowledge and skills needed for the BME Chair position. Her leadership experience includes serving as the current Chair of the School-Wide Personnel Subcommittee as well as the BME Associate Chair for Research and Graduate Affairs since 2019. The latter is what Professor Zderic says has allowed her to gain insight into the administrative and leadership needs of the BME Department.
On being selected for this position, Professor Zderic said, “I am happy and honored to have the opportunity to contribute to the further growth of the vibrant research and teaching community of our BME Department.”
Professor Zderic is a renowned modeling and experimental expert in the area of ultrasound therapy. In her Therapeutic Ultrasound Laboratory, she is currently working on projects such as the application of ultrasound to enhance drug delivery through different biological barriers and to stimulate insulin release for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. In the classroom, she is noted for her diversity of teaching methods, her ability to sustain active learning, and her overall energy and enthusiasm that helps students engage.
Once she begins her appointment on July 1, Professor Zderic said, “I am planning to continue the great work done by current chair Professor Murray Loew in supporting and expanding our research agenda, our teaching efforts at the undergraduate and graduate level, and our efforts on inclusion of undergraduate students in research projects. I am also hoping to continue building a strong, positive, and welcoming BME community at GW.”