2017 News Archives
BME Scientist Dean Johnson receives Fresenius Medical Care Grant
Professor Kuo receives NIH funding
Professor Catherine K. Kuo has received an NIH R01 grant for the project titled, "Tendon Tissue Engineering Informed by Lysyl Oxidase Regulation of Embryonic Tendon Mechanical Properties.” This project includes fellow BME faculty members Hani Awad, Edward Brown, and Mark Buckley as collaborators. This research will investigate the role of lysyl oxidase (LOX) in regulating tendon mechanical property development. The goal is to develop novel LOX-based strategies with stem cells to promote healing of injured tendons, which are unable to heal naturally.
Professor Lalor receives SPIN Grant
Professor Edmund Lalor is co-PI with Professor Rajeev Raizada (Brain & Cognitive Sciences) on a project funded by the Schmitt Program on Integrative Neuroscience (SPIN) titled, "Indexing the dynamic encoding of natural speech at the semantic level." The overarching aim of the present proposal is to combine expertise between the Lalor and Raizada groups in the Departments of Neuroscience, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, and Biomedical Engineering to determine whether or not EEG responses to natural speech can be decoded based on the semantic content of that speech. The work aims at leveraging recent ground-breaking innovations from the Lalor and Raizada labs to develop an inexpensive, interpretable, and easily acquired neurophysiological measure of the semantic processing of natural speech. Such a measure could have enormous impact on research on language development in healthy infants as well as in children with intellectual and developmental disorders in which language processing is impaired. It would also have great potential as a biomarker for presymptomatic cognitive decline in older persons.
Professor Buckley receives CMSR Pilot Grant
Professor Mark Buckley has received pilot funding from the University of Rochester Center for Musculoskeletal Research (CMSR) for his project titled, "The influence of chondrocyte mechano-protective adaptation on the progression of osteoarthritis."
Jacob Kallenbach receives prestigious Edward Peck Curtis Award for Excellence in Teaching by a Graduate Student
Congratulations to PhD candidate Jacob Kallenbach who was awarded the prestigious Edward Peck Curtis Award for Excellence in Teaching by a Graduate Student. Jacob was nominated by Professor Ian Dickerson for his service as a Teaching Assistant for his course, BME411, Cell and Molecular Biology, in the Fall of 2016.
Congratulations to our 2016-2017 graduate student awardees
The following graduate students were recognized at the 2016-2017 Annual BME Graduate Student Picnic earlier this summer:
Professor Ross Maddox receives grant for collaborative project with ECE & CS professors
Professor Ross Maddox (BME and Neuroscience) and collaborators Zhiyao Duan (ECE), Chenliang Xu (CS) have received a pilot grant from the University of Rochester Arts Sciences and Engineering & the Center for Emerging and Innovative Sciences. Their project is titled, "Real-time synthesis of a virtual talking face from acoustic speech."
Professor Seidman receives Wadsworth C Sykes Engineering Faculty Award
Professor Scott Seidman has received the Wadsworth C Sykes Engineering Faculty Award from the University of Rochester Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The award is intended to help in developing a new online course in the Hajim School called "Interfacing Concepts for Microcontrollers."
ORS Upstate New York and Northeast Regional Symposium hosts over 200 at University of Rochester
The Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Upstate New York and Northeast Regional Symposium was held at the University of Rochester July 27-28. ORS Ambassador and Associate Professor Catherine K. Kuo, PhD organized the event which was held in conjunction with the 7th Annual University of Rochester Center for Musculoskeletal Research (CMSR) Annual Symposium. The event was a great success, with approximately 200 people in attendance representing 24 institutions in the regional area. The Department of Orthopaedics and the Department of Biomedical Engineering generously supported the symposium.
Summertime is prime time for undergraduate research
What’s true for many faculty members is also true for college students. There’s no better time than summer—away from coursework and distractions of the school year—to take a deep dive into research.
Professor Hani Awad and collaborators pioneer new gene and stem cell therapies that may help heal fractures
Biomedical Engineering Professor Hani Awad and colleagues at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have collaborated on a study that resulted in a new technique that successfully helps bone regenerate itself across large gaps in severe fractures. This method, which combines gene, stem cell, and ultrasound therapies, has been successfully demonstrated in animals.
Professor Mark Buckley receives NIH funding for research project
Professor Mark Buckley has received an NIH Research Project Grant (R01) for his project, "Modulation of Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy by Multiaxial Mechanical Strains.” Insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) is a common and painful disease that responds poorly to conservative (i.e., non-operative) care. Improved outcomes for IAT patients require interventions that target its fundamental cause. Thus, this study aims to elucidate the patterns of mechanical strain (i.e., deformation) that cause and reverse IAT in vitro, and determine how to induce these strain patterns in vivo through exercise-based physical therapy. The findings of this study will motivate effective, targeted non-surgical therapies for IAT. Collaborators for this project include Alayna Loiselle (Orthopaedics and CMSR), Michael Richards (Surgery), Sam Flemister (Orthopaedics), John Ketz (Orthopaedics) and Tongtong Wu (Biostatistics).
Professor Ed Lalor awarded AR/VR Pilot Funding
Professor Ed Lalor has been awarded AR/VR pilot funding through Arts, Sciences and Engineering and NYS Center for Emerging and Innovative Sciences. Pilot Awards within this program support exploratory projects related to the science, technology, and applications of virtual and augmented reality. Professor Lalor's project is titled, "Characterizing the neurophysiology of multisensory integration in natural and virtual reality environments."
Professor Jong-Hoon Nam receives NSF funding for "Mechanically-facilitated cochlear fluid homeostasis" research
Professor Jong-Hoon Nam has received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for his research project in collaboration with Professor Douglas Kelley, entitled, "Mechanically-facilitated cochlear fluid homeostasis."
Ge Song receives President's Award
Congratulations to BME senior Ge Song who received a President’s Award for “Adaptive Optics Scanning Light Ophthalmoscopy for Retinal Imaging and Vision Disease Detection.” Ge was presented with the award at the University of Rochester Undergraduate Research Exposition, in which students presented work addressing a variety of subjects within the humanities, engineering, natural sciences, and social sciences.
Tristan Ford wins New York State College Health Association’s 2017 Outstanding Student Award
Congratulations to BME senior Tristan Ford who is recipient of the New York State College Health Association’s 2017 Outstanding Student Award for his contributions to the health and safety of college students at our University, and at the state and national level. Tristan led the efforts to gain student support for our University to become tobacco-free.
Andrew Shubin receives commendation for PhD Dissertation
Andrew Shubin, a 2017 PhD graduate in the lab of Professor Danielle Benoit, has been selected to receive commendation in the Outstanding Dissertation Award Competition for Engineering. Andrew's PhD research project is titled, "Poly(ethylene glycol) Hydrogels for Salivary Gland Regeneration.”
Graduate Program Coordinator Donna Porcelli receives Witmer Award for Distinguished Service
BME Graduate Program Coordinator Donna Porcelli has been honored with the Witmer Award for Distinguished Service, which is reserved for staff members who have demonstrated significant and longstanding contributions to the University.
Professor Buckley receives pilot grant from CMSR
Professor Mark Buckley has received a pilot grant from the Center for Musculoskeletal Research for his research project, "The influence of chondrocyte mechano-protective adaptation on the progression of osteoarthritis.” Osteoarthritis (OA) – a painful and complex joint disease characterized by progressive degeneration of articular cartilage and surrounding tissues – is among the leading causes of disability in the United States. Yet, there are no FDA-approved treatments proven to stop or reverse OA and preserve joint health, suggesting that novel targets for OA interventions are needed. Though the complete etiology of OA is unknown, aberrant mechanical loads leading to cell death and catabolic activity are thought play a role in this pathology. To maintain homeostasis when confronted by sustained biochemical stimuli, cells have a well-characterized ability to moderate their response to these signals (e.g., through downregulation of a surface receptor). The Buckley lab's preliminary data suggests that chondrocytes can also rapidly moderate their sensitivity to sustained mechanical stimuli (e.g., during ambulation) to prevent cell death or abnormal (pathological) behavior. Hence, it may be possible to prevent or slow OA by enhancing this adaptive phenomenon, which we refer to herein as cytoprotective adaptation to mechanical stimuli (CAMS).
Professor Rick Waugh named interim dean for arts, sciences & engineering
Rick Waugh, former BME chair, and a biomedical engineer with more than 35 years of academic and leadership appointments at the University of Rochester, will serve as interim dean of one of the institution’s main academic units through June 30, 2018.
Three BME seniors inducted into Phi Beta Kappa honor society
Congratulations to BME seniors Nathaniel Barber, Claire Kaiser, and Justin Schumacher who were recently inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society!
BME Take 5 student wins Fulbright grant to study in Glasgow, Scotland
Congratulations to Jonathan Boualavong ’16/T5’17 BME for winning a Fulbright grant! Boualavong, an Elkridge, Maryland, native, will pursue an MPhil in chemical and process engineering at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland.
Benoit Lab’s Marian Ackun-Farmmer receives newly established ASE Barnard Fellowship
Marian Ackun-Farmmer of the Benoit Lab has been selected for one of the newly established Arts, Sciences and Engineering Donald M. and Janet C. Barnard Fellowships. Marian was recognized specifically for her strong research record as well as her commitment to mentoring, outreach and service to the Department of Biomedical Engineering as well as her field. The fellowship comes with a $3K stipend top-off for the 2017-2018 academic year, as well as a tuition award. Congratulations, Marian!
Next stop for Falling Walls Competition winner: Berlin
Kilean Lucas admits to being uneasy about trying to summarize his research in three minutes, with only three slides.
Professor Laurel Carney delivers seminar titled, "Speech coding in the auditory system: the "view" from the midbrain," at Danish Technical University
Mary Lou Ingram Professor in Biomedical Engineering Laurel Carney recently delivered a seminar at the Hearing Systems, Electrical Engineering, Danish Technical University, where she is currently a visiting professor. The seminar was titled, "Speech coding in the auditory system: the 'view' from the midbrain."
Professor Regine Choe receives NIH funding for project: “Longitudinal monitoring of bone fracture healing using diffuse optical and correlation tomography"
Professor Regine Choe has received an NIH Research Project Grant (RO1) for her project, “Longitudinal monitoring of bone fracture healing using diffuse optical and correlation tomography." Vascularization is a key step in bone fracture healing, but is often measured only once or not at all due to technical limitations or cost. Professor Choe proposes to develop and validate optical instruments for non-invasive, longitudinal monitoring of blood flow, volume and oxygenation in bone fractures and surrounding tissues to predict bone healing. This approach will significantly expedite the development of new bone fracture treatments based on regenerative medicine and the diagnosis of impaired healing, which currently takes at least 3 months. Professor Choe’s collaborators on this project include Danielle Benoit (PhD, Biomedical Engineering), A. Samuel Flemister (MD, Orthopaedics), John Ketz (MD, Orthopaedics), Wing-Chi Edmund Kwok (PhD, Imaging Sciences) and Tong Tong Wu (PhD, Biostatistics).
Professor Ed Brown receives NIH grant for research project, "Using Second Harmonic Generation to Predict Metastatic Outcome in Colon Adenocarcinoma"
Professor Edward Brown has received NIH funding for his research project titled, "Using Second Harmonic Generation to Predict Metastatic Outcome in Colon Adenocarcinoma."
BME student competes in Hult Prize entrepreneurial competition
BME student Omar Soufan was among six finalist teams at the Hult Prize regionals in San Francisco early this month.
CMTI students win 2017 America’s Got Regulatory Science Talent Competition
At the Fourth Annual “America’s Got Regulatory Science Talent” competition, hosted as part of the CTSI Regulatory Science programs, eight teams of students competed for a chance to present their ideas on how to solve regulatory science issues in person at the Food and Drug Administration. Competition organizers Scott Steele, Ph.D., and Joan Adamo, Ph.D., kicked off the event and each team delivered a five-minute presentation proposing novel solutions to address challenges in the nine scientific priority areas outlined in the FDA’s Strategic Plan for Advancing Regulatory Science.
Professor Laurel Carney is a visiting professor at Hearing Systems, DTU Electrical Engineering (Technical University of Denmark)
Laurel Carney, Marylou Ingram Professor in Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, New York, is currently a visiting professor at Hearing Systems, DTU Electrical Engineering. Professor Carney's combined expertise in physiology, behavioral research and computer modeling gives new dimensions to hearing research.
Bones made to order: UR Medical Center attempting to use 3-D printing, stem cells to regenerate bone tissue
This news story appeared in the Democrat & Chronicle on February 27, 2017. It features Hani Awad (Biomedical Engineering primary faculty) and Edward Schwarz (Biomedical Engineering graduate faculty), two University of Rochester scientists who are leading the way in using 3-D printers and stem cells to create bone replacements for patients. The online version can be found here.
New patent issued for Professor Hocking
The patent titled “Chimeric Fibronectin Matrix Mimetics and Uses Thereof” (U.S. Patent No. 9,572,869; awarded February 21, 2017) has recently been assigned to the UR with inventors Denise Hocking, Ph.D. (Pharmacology and Physiology, BME, RCBU) and Daniel Roy, Ph.D. (BME B.S.‘06, Ph.D.‘12). The patent relates to the use of recombinant fibronectin-based peptides for wound healing and tissue regeneration applications. The technology falls under a new and exciting class of therapies known as wound biologics. The primary commercial application for this technology is to promote healing of hard-to-heal or chronic wounds, including diabetic, venous, and pressure ulcers, which impose a significant health care burden worldwide. Topical application of fibronectin matrix mimetic peptides to full-thickness excisional wounds in diabetic mice accelerates wound closure and promotes granulation tissue deposition, remodeling, and re-vascularization. Denise Hocking is a Professor of Pharmacology and Physiology and of Biomedical Engineering. Daniel Roy is a Scientist at KeraNetics, LLC, a biotechnology company located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that develops keratin-based biomaterials for wound healing applications.
Marian Ackun-Farmmer receives AfterCollege Engineering Student Scholarship
Marian Ackun-Farmmer, a biomedical engineering student in the lab of Danielle Benoit, is the recipient of an AfterCollege Engineering Student Scholarship. Founded in 1999, AfterCollege, Inc. ( www.aftercollege.com) is an online professional platform that connects students, faculty, alumni and employers through customized career networks at colleges and professional organizations across the country. AfterCollege has awarded more than $1,000,000 in scholarships and student activities through our program to date. Congratulations, Marian!
Ken Sims of Benoit Lab receives NRSA funding
Ken Sims, a PhD student working in the lab of Danielle Benoit, has received funding from the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (RRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship program (F31).
Professor McAleavey receives grant from Department of Defense office of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
The Department of Defense office of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs has awarded Professor Stephen McAleavey a grant for his research project titled, "Assistive and Autonomous Breast Ultrasound Screening: Improving PPV and Reducing RSI."
University of Rochester cohosts 2017 Mid-Atlantic Region Biomaterials Day
The University of Rochester is joining with City College of New York, Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Rochester, and Rutgers University to host the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Biomaterials Day on February 24 in New York City. The theme for the conference this year is "Biomaterial Frontiers: Emerging challenges creating new opportunities." This all-day research conference will feature local faculty, student, and industry speakers and is designed to provide networking opportunities and foster new collaborations. Professor Danielle Benoit will be speaking on drug/gene delivery at the conference along with other professors with research focusing on biomaterials. The University of Rochester is now accepting abstracts for rapid fire talks and posters, with a due date of January 27. To submit an abstract or to register, please visit https://www.midatlantic-biomaterialsday2017.org/