UW BioE alum Michael Kellen brings open source ideals to bioscience
UW Bioengineering alumnus Michael Kellen of Sage Bionetworks works to bring open-source software technology and culture to the medical research community.
Q&A with Renuka Ramanathan: BioE Ph.D. student works on Empreva, a prize-winning technology for women’s health
No product currently on the market allows women to initiate both HIV prevention and contraception. Renuka and collaborators from the Woodrow lab seek to change this with Empreva, an innovative drug delivery platform that empowers women to take control of their own health.
Injectable polymer could stop bleeding, save lives
UW bioengineers from Suzie Pun's lab, along with collaborators from Emergency Medicine and Chemical Engineering, have developed an injectable polymer that could keep soldiers and trauma patients from bleeding to death.
Ph.D. graduate Alice Ward Racca receives Marie Sklodowska-Curie post-doctoral fellowship to study human fetal skeletal and cardiac motor proteins
Recent Ph.D. graduate Alice Ward Racca is a recipient of a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship and will spend the next two years working with Dr. Michael Geeves of the University of Kent, UK, to better understand the myosin II isoforms that are predominantly expressed during in utero development
UW Bioengineering Announces New Chair Cecilia Giachelli
Cecilia Giachelli has served as acting chair since fall 2013 and was appointed chair of the Department of Bioengineering on February 1, 2015. She has shown tremendous leadership during her time as acting chair and brings deep experience in both medicine and engineering that will continue to strengthen UW BioE for years to come.
Undergraduate Ian Andrews selected for EPFL Summer Research Program in Life Sciences and Technology
Ian Andrews, a junior undergraduate in Dr. Barry Lutz’s lab, has been selected to participate in the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) School of Life Sciences Summer Research Program.
Ph.D. student Gary Liu investigates drug delivery frontiers for kidney disease treatment
At the age of five, second-year UW Bioengineering Ph.D. student Gary Liu was diagnosed with a chronic condition called minimal change kidney disease. His experience with the disease inspired him to study bioengineering and develop solutions to treat kidney disease. With bioengineering, Gary aims to improve his own health and help others suffering from kidney disease.
Anthony Convertine named Author of the Month by Royal Society of Chemistry
UW Bioengineering research assistant professor Anthony Convertine was named the Royal Society of Chemistry's Polymer Chemistry Blog Author of the Month. In an interview on the RSC Polymer Chemistry blog, Dr. Convertine, whose academic background is in polymer science and engineering, talks about his latest work, inspiration to become a chemist and what he enjoys doing in his free time.
Suzie Pun and Valerie Daggett elected AIMBE Fellows
UW Bioengineering Professors Suzie Pun and Valerie Daggett have been elected to the AIMBE College of Fellows Class of 2015. Drs. Pun and Daggett join UW Bioengineering's 18 other AIMBE Fellows. AIMBE, or the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering,is a non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to improving lives through medical and biological engineering.
Barry Lutz receives Pilcher Faculty Fellowship
UW Bioengineering Assistant Professor receives Pilcher Faculty Fellowship, a new award for faculty who demonstrate outstanding potential for scholarly and professional contributions to the field of bioengineering and a commitment to biomedical innovation and commercialization.
Paul Yager presents at TEDXRainier Nov. 22, 2014 (updated video)
UW Bioengineering Professor and former department chair (2007-13) Dr. Paul Yager presented at TEDXRainier in Seattle's McCaw Hall on November 22, in which he discussed how his research group is developing paper-based devices for diagnosing infectious disease, revolutionizing the world of medicine and increasing access to healthcare to everyone, everywhere.
Making good: Desire to help others inspires diverse research
What do at-home disease test kits, neuroscience and the fit of artificial limbs share in common the researchers’ dedication to serving the public good and improving health. We talk with three researchers about the motivations for their work and the impact it stands to make.
Mike Averkiou, innovator of clinical ultrasound technologies, joins UW Bioengineering faculty
Mike Averkiou knows a thing or two about bringing worlds together. He’s lived half [...]
Barry Lutz appointed tenure-track assistant professor
Barry Lutz was appointed tenure-track assistant professor of bioengineering on September 16, 2014. Dr. Lutz will establish an independent laboratory to develop devices for detecting and treating disease as well as develop and teach new courses. He will continue his commercialization-driven projects to develop an implantable microfluidic device for treating hydrocephalus and similar neurological conditions.
Shear force: new hire Gianluca Interlandi seeks to unlock the secrets of blood clotting
New UW Bioengineering research assistant professor Gianluca Interlandi studies the molecular function of blood proteins involved in hemostasis and clotting.
Fall/Winter 2014 UW Bioengineering eNews
In this issue: Chair's Welcome - Features - Bioengineers in the News - Awards & [...]
Programming in Paper
Inside the Yager lab's at-home medical test kit is a two-dimensional paper network of switches [...]
Albert Folch delivers keynote talk at Duke University’s Mahato Memorial Event; Interviewed by Spanish-language NTN24
UW Bioengineering Associate Professor Albert Folch delivered the keynote talk at Duke University's Mahato Memorial Event November 19, 2014, an event that celebrates the intersection of art and science. He was also interviewed by Spanish-language NTN24 on November 25, 2014, and discussed his work with 3D printing and art.
Joan Sanders to present UW Medicine “Science in Medicine” Lecture, January 20, 2015
UW Bioengineering Professor Joan Sanders will present in the 2014-2015 Science in Medicine Lecture series. The series, presented on behalf of the School of Medicine and Council on Research and Graduate Education, features talks by UW Medicine faculty researchers and clinicians on topics representing the breadth and diversity of UW Medicine’s cutting-edge research and clinical care.
Nobel Laureate Michael Levitt to present December 2014 UW Walker Ames Lecture
UW Bioengineering Professor Dr. Valerie Daggett is hosting December 2014's UW Walker Ames lecturer, Dr. Michael Levitt, the Robert W. Vivian K. Cahill Professor of Cancer Research in the Department of Structural Biology at Stanford School of Medicine. Dr. Levitt is a 2013 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry and was also Dr. Daggett's postdoc advisor in the early 1990s.
Eric Chudler travels to India to teach Buddhist monks and nuns about neuroscience
UW Bioengineering Research Associate Professor Dr. Eric Chudler recently returned from a trip to Dharmsala, India to teach Tibetan Buddhist monks and nuns about neuroscience.
Buddy Ratner receives second-ever UW Medicine Lifetime Innovator Award
Dr. Buddy D. Ratner, UW joint professor of bioengineering and chemical engineering and Michael L. & Myrna Darland Endowed Chair in Technology Commercialization, was honored with the second-ever UW Medicine Lifetime Innovator Award on November 6. He received the award at UW Medicine's 2014 Inventor of the Year event held at UW Medicine's South Lake Union campus.
David Castner Receives 2014 Rivière Prize
UW Professor of Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering David Castner was named as the 2014 recipient of the Rivière Prize from the UK Surface Analysis Forum at the November 2014 American Vacuum Society International Symposium and Exhibition. This award recognized Dr. Castner's impact upon the field of surface analysis, particularly his contribution to the study, analysis and understanding of biological and biomaterial interfaces.
Valerie Daggett’s research featured in Alaska Airlines magazine
UW Bioengineering Professor Dr. Valerie Daggett's research was featured in an article, "Innovative Medicine", published in the November 2014 issue of Alaska Airlines Magazine. The article discussed novel approaches to treating complex diseases currently being developed by Seattle-area researchers, and details Dr. Daggett's work designing peptides to neutralize harmful changes to proteins thought to have a role in amyloid diseases like Alzheimer's.
UW BMES participates in 2014 Life Sciences Research Weekend at Seattle Center
UW Bioengineering's BMES chapter engaged scientists of all ages at Life Sciences Research Weekend, held at Seattle Center November 7-9, 2014. Volunteers at the booth led activities demonstrating ultrasound and controlled release.
BS Bioengineering alumnus & Fulbright recipient Hani Mahmoud checks in from Kuwait
Since graduating and finishing an internship at Physio-Control, BS Bioengineering alumnus and Fulbright Student Study/Research grant recipient Hani Mahmoud left Seattle in August to travel to Kuwait, eager to begin his project and help establish collaborations between his host country and the United States on mutual interests in biomedicine to improve health.
Fall 2014 UW Bioengineering eNews for Peers
Welcome to the Fall 2014 issue of UW Bioengineering e-News for Peers In this issue: [...]
Ph.D. student’s quantitative analysis of swab performance published in PLOS One, may inform future diagnostic test development
Not all swabs used in diagnostic testing are created alike: UW BioE Ph.D student Nuttada Panpradist is lead author of study published recently in PLOS One that offers a quantitative, objective analysis of a common, critical component of diagnostic tests for disease. The study’s results may inform future diagnostic test development, helping test developers select appropriate swab types and transfer methods for diagnosis of a wide variety of disease.
Ruikang Wang’s research featured on cover of OSLI Retina journal
UW Bioengineering Professor Dr. Ruikang Wang's research is featured on the cover of the October issue of the journal Ophthalmic Surgery, Lasers & Imaging (OSLI) Retina. Dr. Wang, a noted innovator in the field of optical imaging, and collaborators published two papers in the issue investigating applications of OCT angiography.
Paul Yager to speak at TEDxRainier 2014
UW Bioengineering Professor Dr. Paul Yager will present a talk at TEDxRainier 2014 on November 22nd. Dr. Yager, who served as UW BioE chair from 2007 to 2013, focuses on development of microfluidic devices and systems for analysis of biological fluids for use in biomedical diagnostics. The primary goal of his work is to expand access to healthcare by creating low-cost point-of-care diagnostic devices that can easily be used in low-resource settings.
Charles Murry to present first lecture in UW’s 2014 Engineering Lecture Series
Dr. Charles Murry, UW professor of pathology, cardiology and bioengineering, will present the first lecture in UW’s 2014 Engineering Lecture Series, “Engineering the Heart: From Cell Therapy to Computer Technology”. Dr. Murry will present a talk entitled “Engineering a Broken Heart”, on October 15, 2014.
Ph.D. student’s idea for device that diagnoses tuberculosis from urine leads to Global WACh/W.H. Coulter Foundation Seed Grant
An interdisciplinary research team led by PIs Drs. James Lai and Barry Lutz of UW Bioengineering and UW tuberculosis researcher-clinician Dr. David Horne has received the 2014 Global WACh/W.H. Coulter Foundation Seed Grant to develop a point-of-care diagnostic device to diagnose TB from urine samples. The idea originated from a proposal developed by UW BioE student Nuttada Panpradist and UW MPH student and pediatrician Dr. Diana Marangu in a Global Health course, GH 590, “Bioengineering Solutions to Improve the Health of Women, Adolescents and Children”.
Direct freshman admit Solomon Muche “found hope in the margins” to overcome adversity and study at UW
UW BIOE Direct freshman admit and recent Ethiopian immigrant Solomon Muche faced a difficult path to UW, including homelessness. However, perseverance and hope guided him to complete high school, apply to UW and study bioengineering.
Barry Lutz starts tenure-track position, Gianluca Interlandi joins faculty and Suzie Pun is promoted to full professor
UW Bioengineering is pleased to announce the hires of faculty Barry Lutz and Gianluca Interlandi, as well as the promotion of Suzie Pun to full professor.
“Turning up the volume on a quiet world”: Dr. Jay Rubinstein interviewed for recent WHYY radio piece
Joint UW professor of bioengineering and otolaryngology Dr. Jay Rubinstein was interviewed for recent piece on radio station WHYY in Philadelphia, Penn. The segment discussed a new type of cochlear implant technology that can help individuals with severe to profound hearing loss at high frequencies. Dr. Rubinstein proposes that improved signal processing, combined with the new hybrid devices, will enable cochlear implant users to “be the superstars of the cochlear implant world”.
“Big Potential in Going Small”: Patrick Stayton’s nanotechnology research mentioned in Alaska Airlines Magazine
“Big Potential in Going Small”: Patrick Stayton’s nanotechnology research mentioned in Alaska Airlines Magazine. The article explores the history of nanotechnology, its current application and Dr. Stayton’s current work developing a nanotechnology delivery system to treat certain diseases, including liver cancer.
Folch lab and collaborators examine how cells use systems-level mechanisms to process information in new PNAS paper
UW Bioengineering associate professor Albert Folch, Folch lab senior fellow Nirveek Bhattacharjee and collaborators at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina have published research in the early online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) examining how cells use systems-level mechanisms to process environmental information. The research shows a promising example of how microfluidics can be used to expose cells to complex signals, a major goal in systems biology studies.
Huffington Post: Dissolvable “tampon” could quickly deliver anti-HIV drug
Anti-HIV materials being developed by the Woodrow group could be integrated into a dissolvable, "tampon"-like product that is both easy for women to use and also effective, reports the Huffington Post.
Kim Woodrow leads Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation youth outreach event
UW Bioengineering Assistant Professor Dr. Kim Woodrow led a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation youth educational outreach event on July 23, which exposed 6th to 8th graders to a college campus and laboratory and led participants in inquiry-based learning activities about STEM applications for pediatric HIV.
Dissolving fabric may offer fast, potent anti-HIV protection
Bioengineers in Dr. Woodrow’s lab have discovered a faster way to deliver a topical drug that can protect women from contracting HIV. The researchers created a fiber material embedded with the drug through a process called electrospinning that quickly dissolves and releases a potent antiretroviral drug, maraviroc, when it comes into contact with moisture.
UW Bioengineering Summer Camp 2014 concludes, teaches high school students about bioengineering, global health
UW Bioengineering Summer Camp 2014 wraps up, teaching 24 high school students about the field of bioengineering and and the field's solutions for global health problems.
New protein structure could help treat Alzheimer’s, related diseases
UW Bioengineering Professor Dr. Valerie Daggett and research team members have designed a peptide structure that can stop harmful changes of proteins in the body that are linked to diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS).
Michael Regnier, Charles Murry named 2014 UW Presidential Entrepreneurial Faculty Fellows
UW Bioengineering faculty Charles Murry (joint professor of pathology, bioengineering and medicine/cardiology) and Michael Regnier, as well as adjunct faculty Michael Jensen, MD, director of the Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer at Seattle Children’s Research Institute and professor of pediatric hematology-oncology at UW Medicine and Satoshi Minoshima, professor of radiology, were named 2014 UW Presidential Entrepreneurial Faculty Fellows.
Class of 2014 celebrates, David C. Auth delivers keynote speech, at Bioengineering Departmental Graduation Ceremony
The UW Bioengineering Class of 2014 celebrated their impressive accomplishments, David C. Auth delivered keynote speech, at the 2014 Bioengineering Departmental Graduation Ceremony.
Electrospun fibers show promise for rapid HIV prevention
UW Bioengineering Ph.D. student, Cameron Ball, and Assistant Professor Kim Woodrow, demonstrate the potential of a new type of product that may help women protect themselves against sexual HIV transmission. Their research, published online ahead of print in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (AAC) of the American Society for Microbiology, shows the ability of water-soluble electrospun fiber material to rapidly release maraviroc, an antiretroviral drug. The researchers suggest that their material offers advantages over other anti-HIV microbicides currently in development.
19th UWEB21 Biomaterials Intensive Short Course
Biomaterials: The Platform Technology of Medical Devices. A 2.5 day introduction to biomaterials, medical devices and biocompatibility presented by the experts. August 14 to August 16, 2014.
Computer-designed protein causes cancer cells to self-destruct
UW researchers, including BioE Professor Patrick Stayton and many collaborators from the UW and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, have created a protein molecule that can prompt cancer cells infected with the Epstein-Barr virus to self-destruct.
Sensor in eye could track pressure changes, monitor for glaucoma
UW researchers develop sensor that may be placed permanently in a person's eye to track changes in pressure, report data wirelessly and monitor for glaucoma
Advanced 3-D imaging technique maps micro blood flow in real-time
UW Bioengineer Ruikang Wang’s non-invasive method for imaging vascular health holds promise for better diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of diseases.
Lara Gamble receives Peter M.A. Sherwood Mid-Career Award from AVS Applied Surface Science Division
UW Bioengineering Research Associate Professor Lara Gamble was selected as the 2014 recipient of the Peter M.A. Sherwood Mid-Career Award from AVS Applied Surface Science Division This award recognizes Dr. Gamble's research contributing to the development of surface analytical methods for characterizing biomedical surfaces and interfaces.