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Mississippi State University |
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State University is off to a strong, active start.
The Student Chapter for the Society For Biomaterials
at Mississippi State University received its charter
during the summer/fall semester of 1999 and currently
has five members. To get the student chapter rolling,
Dr. Joel D. Bumgardner, the chapter's faculty advisor,
organized visits to regional biomedical facilities.
These visits included the University of Mississippi
Medical Center (UMMC), the University of Alabama at
Birmingham (UAB), a tour of Wright Medical Technology,
Inc., and a tour of Birmingham Polymers, Inc.
At UMMC, Dr. Lyle Zardiakus and Dr. Aaron Puckett
hosted a tour of the orthopaedic and dental biomaterial
laboratories, highlighting research into alloys and
polymers used in orthopaedics and dental clinical applications.
Dr. Venugopalan guided members through UAB's biomedical
implant center, and discussed metal and alloy systems
used in cardiovascular stints and catheters. At Wright
Medical Technologies, Inc., Dr. Warren Haggard organized
a tour of the company's manufacturing and testing facilities,
allowing observation of how implants are manufactured
from start to finish - including the making of wax
patterns, casting of cobalt-chromium devices, and machining
of titanium devices. Wright Medical specializes in
the manufacture of joint implants for the hip, knee,
shoulder, elbow, hand, wrist, and foot; as well as
biologic products, including bone graft substitutes.
At Birmingham Polymers, Inc., Dr. Middleton discussed
biodegradable polymers in controlled-delivery applications,
and Ms. Stacey Sullivan directed a tour of BPI's facilities.
Chapter members have interests in biomechanics, biomaterials,
and orthopaedics fields. Through the Society For Biomaterials,
the chapter hopes to gain insight into industrial aspects
of biomaterials and orthopaedics, develop strong liaisons
and contacts that will promote research at MSU, and
establish future employment opportunities for students.
Goals of the chapter include recruiting more members
and increased interactions with MSU's Student Chapter
for the Institute of Biological Engineering. Please
contact Kori Brabham at kvb5@msstate.edu for
more information about the MSU Society For Biomaterials
student chapter and/or coordinating joint Society For
Biomaterials chapter activities. (by Chad Winter)(Excerpt
for Biomaterials Forum V22)
Chapter Contact
c/o Kori Brabham
Dept. of Agriculture & Biological Engineering
114E West Gillespie Street
Mississippi State, MS 39762
t: (662) 323-3627
f: (662) 325-3853
e: kvb5@msstate.edu
Industrial Contact
Harry Puryear
Medtronic
3850 Victoria St. N., V220
Shoreview, MN 55126
t: (612) 514-1560
f: (612) 514-1599
e: harry.puryear@medtronic.com
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