Student Chapters

Students are the future of the Society For Biomaterials. Embrace tomorrow through one of the many student chapters.

Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University

Chapter Contact
Case Western Reserve University
c/o Jackie Jones
Dept. of Biomedical Engineering
9500 Euclid Ave. L30-160
Cleveland, OH 44106
t: (216) 368-2479
e: jaj17@po.cwru.edu

Industrial Contact
Keith Cromack
Abbott Labs
Dept. 43T/AP5N
Abbott Park, IL 60064-6216
t: (847) 252-7522
f: (847) 935-1789
e: Cromakr@hpd.abbott.com

Top

Clemson University

Clemson University is a graduate bioengineering program conducting leading edge research in all aspects of biomaterials. The goal of the Clemson Bioengineering Society (CBS), a Student Chapter of the Society For Biomaterials, is to identify students' interests in biomaterials and related disciplines and to help fellow students with both research and professional endeavors. The CBS also maintains a biomaterials library and computer facilities accessible to all its members. This year, the CBS Executive Committee consists of four student officers who were elected in July 2002 (Chuck Thomas, David Orr, Lisa Roth, and Roshan James), and a faculty advisor (Dr.Karen Burg).

The CBS is actively involved in raising funds for many professional and social activities. Several fund raising projects are undertaken every semester to help meet the Society's responsibilities to its members. Some of the major activities include field trips to implant manufacturing companies and travel to conferences.

The CBS is currently updating its alumni information to promote a stronger community between the Department of Bioengineering at Clemson University and its alumni and are planning the second annual alumni pig roast tailgate for the Clemson - Wake Forest football game on October 19th. We believe that this will provide many opportunities for graduating students and will establish an effective communication network between the department and alumni.

Chapter Contact
c/o Chuck Thomas
Dept. of Bioengineering
501 Rhodes Engineering Research Center
Clemson, SC 29634
t: (864) 656-6576
f: (864) 656-4466
e: tchuck@clemson.edu

Industrial Contact
Jim Burns
Genzyme
One Kendall Sq.
Cambridge, MA 02139-1562
t: (617) 252-7522
f: (617) 374-7225
e: jim.burns@genzyme.com

Top

Cornell University

Chapter Contact
c/o Andrea M. P. Turner
G6 Clark Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
t: (607) 255-6286
f: (607) 255-7658
e: amp24@cornell.edu

Industrial Contact
Robert Miller
Genzyme
One Kendall Aq
Cambridge, MA 02139-1562
t: (617) 252-7522
f: (617) 374-7225
e: bob.miller@genzyme.com

Top

Drexel University

Chapter Contact
c/o Emily Ho
School of Engineering
Room 336, LeBow Building
32 and Chestnut Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19104
t: (215) 895-6750
e: eyh22@drexel.edu

Industrial Contact
Warren O. Haggard
Vice President of Research
5677 Airline Rd
Arlington, TN 38002
t: (901) 867-4659
f: (901) 867-4791
e: whaggard@wmt.com

Top

Johns Hopkins University

The Johns Hopkins University increases exposure and cooperation. As The Johns Hopkins University (JHU) broadens its research thrusts to fostering advances in cell and tissue engineering, including new drug delivery systems and engineered tissues and organs, the JHU Student Chapter of the Society For Biomaterials aims to provide its members with access to mentors from the tissue engineering industry. Our chapter goals for the upcoming year include increasing student exposure to biomaterials research though guest speakers and student presentations, building a community of support and cooperation between JHU students and representatives from industry, and enhancing the career possibilities for JHU undergraduate and graduate students. The membership of the JHU student chapter has grown to 22 graduates, 10 upperclassmen, and 5 lowerclassmen, and is organized by five chairmen. In this upcoming year we plan on attracting campus-wide interest, which should lead to an increase in membership of students from interdisciplinary backgrounds. As the president, I emphasize collaboration between students and faculty, between students and industry, and look forward to increasing cooperation, the concomitant of success, between fellow student chapters. (by Charles Chaney)(Excerpt from Biomaterials Forum V22)

Chapter Contact
c/o Michael Seibert
Materials Science & Engineering Dept.
201a Maryland Hall
3400 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218-2689
t: (410) 516-2625
f: (410) 516-5293
e: mseiber1@jhu.edu

Industrial Contact
Kirk Andriano
MacroMed, Inc., R & D Dept.
9520 South State St.
Sandy, UT 84870
t: (801) 582-2131
f: (801) 582-8041
e: kandriano@aol.com

Top

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) integrates different areas of materials research. Now in its third year, the Society For Biomaterials student chapter at MIT consists of approximately 60 members, with approximately an equal number of undergraduates and graduate students. Dr. Myron Spector, former President of the national Society For Biomaterials and affiliated with MIT, Harvard, and Brigham and Women's Hospital, is the chapter advisor. Recently, the Society For Biomaterials chapter joined the Association of Materials Science Students (AMaSS) at MIT, a larger organization of students with varied interests in the materials field.

The chapter usually plans three events per semester that are open to all students. In the summer, some members went on an eye-opening tour of a Smith & Nephew plant and saw the high-precision machinery where specialized surgical endoscopy instruments are fabricated. Another very popular event was a fall social, where (over copious amounts of food) members and current officers met new students who were interested in learning more about the chapter. Typically, once a semester, a professor from either MIT or a nearby university, or a researcher from a local medical device company, gives a presentation about his/her work. In the past year, Prof. David Kaplan from Tufts University described his lab's innovative recombinant DNA and genetic engineering approaches to making natural biomaterials, such as an artificial silk. In addition, the current President of the Society For Biomaterials and the CEO of Focal, Inc., Dr. Arthur Coury, discussed hydrogels for tissue engineering and the ability for hydrogels to adhere to human tissues. The chapter is also compiling a résumé book to send to local biotech and biomaterials companies for students looking for employment.

Current and future goals of the MIT Society For Biomaterials student chapter include establishing more contacts with local biotechnology and medical device companies and continuing to promote the chapter as a social and academic forum for students interested in biomaterials. Helping both undergraduates and graduate students find suitable research labs, encouraging them to become chapter or national Society For Biomaterials members, and providing an opportunity for students from different majors and biomaterials-related research projects to interact and share ideas are just some of the other chapter aims. Even in the short time span of a few years, the MIT student chapter of the Society For Biomaterials has been fortunate in organizing several successful activities, and we anticipate continued growth and interest. (by Jonas D. Mendelsohn)(Excerpt from Biomaterials Forum V22)

Chapter Contact
c/o Toby Freyman
77 Massachusetts Ave., Room 3333
Cambridge, MA 02141
t: (617) 253-2139
f: (617) 253-5981
e: tfreyman@mit.edu

Industrial Contact
Bob Miller
Sr. Director, Marketing and sales
The Polymer Technology Group
34 Jackson Drive
Acton, MA 01720
t: (978) 263-5215
f: (978) 266-9333
e: 4mil@msn.com

Top

Mississippi State University

Mississippi 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

Top

Northwestern University

The Northwestern University student chapter focuses on facilitating the research of their graduate student members and broadening their exposure to biomaterials work being done outside the university. The faculty mentor of Northwestern University is Phillip Messersmith, with the chapter consisting of five members, all PhD students.

This chapter runs a semi-monthly biomaterials journal club that is attended by graduate students and faculty from the chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, and materials science departments. Their industrial mentor is Rhonda Clarke of DePuy Orthopaedics, and this past spring she hosted the chapter in a very informative afternoon of talks and tours at their headquarters in Warsaw, Indiana. The Northwestern University chapter regularly attends the Society For Biomaterials Annual Meetings, as they continue to broaden their students' understanding of biomaterials research, both within Northwestern University and in the greater biomaterials community.

Chapter Contact
Joel Collier
Biomedical Engineering Dept. Tech. E310
2145 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208
t: (847) 491-3674
f: (847) 467-4928
e: j-collier@northwestern.edu

Industrial Contact
Rhonda Clarke
DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.
P.O. Box 988
700 Orthopaedic Drive
Warsaw, IN 46581-0988
e: rclarke2@dpyus.jnj.com

Top

Rutgers University

Rutgers University provides a constructive presentation forum. The Rutgers University Student Chapter of the Society For Biomaterials is currently based at the Rutgers New Brunswick campus in Piscataway, NJ. The Biomedical Engineering program at our school is a joint effort conducted by Rutgers and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ). Thus, people from both schools make up our student chapter membership of about 20 active participants. Although these individuals are mainly graduate students, our membership is open to all those affiliated with Rutgers and UMDNJ.

During the last week of each month, the group holds a regular meeting. The meetings alternate each month between a general get-together to discuss business, and an educational program (such as a speaker or presentation). It is the chapter's goal to use the educational meetings to allow professors and senior graduate students to present their recent work in biomaterials science, in order to have it critiqued and commented on - both to improve it for later presentations and to expose Society members to cutting edge research. Other group functions include helping incoming graduate students find advisors, and maintaining friendly contact between the biomedical engineering students from different research groups. (by Josh Simon)(Excerpt from Biomaterials Forum V22)

Chapter Contact
Daniel J. Haders
607 Taylor Road
Piscataway, NJ 08854
732-445-5564

Industrial Contact
Mora C. Melican, PhD
J&J Corporate Biomaterials Center
Analytical Characterization dna Evaluation
Rt 22 West, PO Box 151
Sommerville, NJ 08876-0151
t: (908) 218-2789
f: (908) 218-3679
e: mmelican@ethus.jnj.com

Top

Syracuse University

Chapter Contact
Terrance Carone
Syracuse University
Department of Bioengineering and Neuroscience
373 Link Hall
Syracuse, NY 13244
Phone: 315.443.1931
Fax: 315.443.9175

Top

University of Alabama

The University of Alabama works with other professional student organizations. The UAB Chapter of SFB, has 14 student members (7 Ph.D. and 7 MS). The faculty advisor is Dr. Dale Feldman. Approximately half of the membership is considering work in academia, while the other half is considering careers in orthopaedic implants, cardiovascular applications, or drug delivery industries. The Chapter operates in conjunction with the local chapter of BMES. Students are and will be participating in several philanthropy events including tutoring for elementary school children, Habitat for Humanity, a soup kitchen, food drive, recycling, and others involving the holiday season. Members will also be helping the BMES chapter to participate in an Open House competition, held by the UAB School of Engineering as part of National Engineering week. (by Rebecca O'Connor)(Excerpt from Biomaterials Forum V22)

Chapter Contact
c/o Amber Jennings
Dept. of Biomedical Engineering
1075 13th Street South
Suite 370
Birmingham, AL 35294-4440
t: (205) 975-2617
f: (205) 975-4919
e: jennij80@eng.uab.edu

Industrial Contact
Art Tipton
Southern Biosystems
756 Tom Martin Drive
Birmingham, AL 35211-4467
t: (205) 917-2210
f: (205) 917-2240
e: atipton@bpi-sbs.com

Top

University of Connecticut Health Center

Chapter Contact
c/o Thelma I. Valdes
Center for Biomaterials & Surgical Research
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06030-1615
t: (860) 679-2420
f: (860) 679-1370
e: valdes@nso1.uchc.edu

Top

University of Florida

The University of Florida promotes biomaterials in an expanding venue. Biomaterials at the University of Florida recently received a big boost through the establishment of a Biomedical Engineering Program by a Whitaker grant in 1999. The resulting new program brings faculty together from different backgrounds (such as Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical, and Materials Engineering, doctors, and medical technicians). The SFB student chapter at the University of Florida is one of the societies representing the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The SFB student chapter is currently 20 members strong, including 14 Ph.D.-level, 2 Masters-level, and 4 Bachelor's level students. The SFB chapter increases the biomaterials knowledge of students through seminars, industry visits and conference trips. The student chapter holds monthly meetings, featuring guest speakers from industry and/or academia who lecture on biomaterials-related topics. Several memorable events in the past year include attending the Annual Meeting of the Society For Biomaterials, Annual Meeting of the Biomedical Engineering Society, visits to Vistakon (Johnson & Johnson's contact lens division), and Regeneration Technologies Inc., which is a human tissue processing facility with several orthopaedic products on the market. The SFB student chapter has had a working relationship with several other student chapters on campus. Students share activities and functions with the Biomedical Engineering Society. The chapter works with the Society of Plastics Engineers, The Materials and Minerals Society, the Materials Research Society, and the American Ceramics Society student chapters on an Engineering and Science Fair, as well as for other campus functions. Students have participated in several Student Government campus events to promote the SFB and its functions.

For the coming year, the chapter will continue to promote biomaterials and related fields by participating in campus and community events. The chapter had a strong showing at the SFB World Congress in Hawaii. Members also plan on attending and presenting papers at other conferences, such as Surfaces in Biomaterials and the BMES Conference. Local schools to help educate students about materials in general (and biomaterials in particular), and plan to volunteer with community services such as Habitat for Humanity and St. Francis House. The current officers are: Ahmad Hadba, Kaustubh Rau, Payam Chini, Michael Grumski, Brett Almond, and Charley Malpas; our faculty advisors are Dr. Christopher Batich and Dr. Eugene Goldberg. (by Ahmad R. Hadba)(Excerpt from Biomaterials Forum V22)

Chapter Contact
c/o Amanda York
239 MAE
Gainesville, FL 32611
t: (352) 392-9796
f: (352) 392-3771
e: ayork@mse.ufl.edu

Industrial Contact
John Sheets
Genzyme, Alxon, Vistakon
6201 South Fwy
Fort Worth, TX 76134-2001
e: john.sheets@alconlabs.com

Top

University of Montreal

Chapter Contact
c/o Rommy Hernandez
Departement de Genie Biomedical
Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal
2900 Boul. Edouard-Montpetit
Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1J4, Canada
t: (514) 340-4711 ext. 4179
f: (514) 340-4611
e: rommy@grbb.polymtl.ca

Industrial Contact
Michel Assad
Biorthex Inc.
9001 L'Acadie Blvd.
Montreal, Quebec, H4N3H5
Canada
t: (514) 382-1431 ext. 203
f: (514) 382-4048
e: massad@biorthex.com

Top

University of Washington

The University of Washington utilizes world-class facilities The University of Washington Society For Biomaterials Student chapter is leading the way into the future of biomaterials under the direction of our faculty advisor, Dr. Buddy Ratner. The presence of the University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB) NSF engineering research center has opened productive avenues for our members to get involved with cutting edge biomaterials research. The student chapter continues to flourish with talented students researching areas of biomaterials ranging from angiogenesis, protein interactions, and implant healing, to engineering new biomaterials that heal. As in the past, our student chapter has also benefited from the presence of the NIH funded NESAC/BIO center for biomedical surface analysis. This center not only provides quality surface analysis capabilities to students, but UW SFB student members are developing new ways to analyze and characterize the complex biomaterial surfaces that are being engineered around the world. NESAC/BIO and UWEB are surrounded by other quality, relevant programs including the Center for Nanotechnology, The Center For Applied Microtechnology and relevant programs under individual professors.

This combination of excellent students and quality resources has produced a steady stream of graduates who now occupy positions in the biomedical device industry and in academia. The students in the chapter are interested in developing contacts with industry partners, and utilizing the resources that the SFB can provide. Undoubtedly, this year the chapter will produce exciting developments in biomaterials research and many quality graduates into the biomaterials community. The students look forward to an exciting year and a fruitful interaction with the society. (by Dan Graham)(Excerpt from Biomaterials Forum V22)

Chapter Contact
c/o Andrew Marshall
Engineered Biomaterials
Bagley Hall, Room 478
Seattle, WA 98195
t: (206) 221-5827
f: (206) 543-3778
e: amarshal@u.washington.edu

Industrial Contact
Gabriele Niederaurer
Osteobiologics
12500 Network, Suite 11Z
San Antonio, TX 78249
t: (210) 690-2131
e: gabi@obi.com

Top

Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

Virginia Tech seeks mentors and promotes bioengineering. At Virginia Tech, the SFB student chapter is working with the Biomedical Engineering Society to promote the field of bioengineering and to gain student interests. The advisor (for both societies) is Professor Joni Rogers Foy from Engineering Science and Mechanics. During the Spring and Fall of 1999, information sessions were held for freshmen and sophomores to explain bioengineering and the opportunities that Virginia Tech provides. It was encouraging to see how many students were interested in biomedical engineering. Bioengineering is not a single department here, but a concentration offered within Materials Science Engineering, Engineering Science and Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering. Students are encouraged to take classes in various disciplines in order to obtain a well-rounded understanding of bioengineering. Many students ask what kinds of careers they would be able to obtain upon graduating, especially with a bachelor's degree. Members try to give examples of jobs and tell them what companies are looking for bioengineering graduates, however, very few companies within bioengineering recruit students from Virginia Tech since our program is fairly new. This is where industry mentors could really help the chapter. The chapter welcomes speakers from any field of bioengineering, as well as industry contacts to help students network. One idea is to make a simple construction of a lung that actually simulates breathing. If successful with a small project like this, students hope to build support and graduate to more involved design projects. (by Kelly Renshaw)(Excerpt from Biomaterials Forum V22)

Chapter Contact
c/o Catherine Orifici
Dept. of Materials Science & Engineering
213 Holden Hall
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0237
e: corifici@vt.edu

Industrial Contact
John E. Kemnitzer
Director, Biomaterials Development
Integra Life Sciences Corporation
11045 Roselle Str, Suite A
San Diego, CA 92121-1299
t: (858) 622-2600
f: (858) 535-8269
e: jkemnitzer@Integra-LS.com

Top