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.
Kathie Jordan promoted to Program Director, Kassandra Thomson appointed Assistant Director, of UW Coulter TRP Program
We are pleased to announce that Kathie Jordan, PhD has been promoted to Director of the UW Wallace H. Coulter Foundation Translational Research Partnership Program. Kathie was appointed as the Interim Director of the UW Coulter TRP Program in December 2013. We are also pleased to welcome Kassandra Thomson, PhD as the new Assistant Director of the UW Coulter TRP Program, appointed in June of 2014.
2014-2015 UW Coulter TRP Program New Awardees
The University of Washington Coulter Translational Research Partnership (TRP) Program is pleased to announce the 2014-2015 awardees of Coulter funding to support commercialization of medical research.
SACNAS, BMES AND ABRCMS 2014 Conference Information
Prospective students, alumni, and other peers of UW Bioengineering are welcome to stop by and visit us at the following upcoming conferences! Conference dates, locations, booth numbers and more.
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.
Spring 2014 UW Bioengineering eNews
In this issue: Chair's Letter - Note to Graduates - Features - News Briefs - [...]
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.
2014 NESAC/BIO Workshop – Register by 8/2/14 for early rates!
This 2.5 day workshop includes lectures and surface analysis demonstrations. Demonstrations on NESAC/BIO instruments will provide application examples for the material covered in the workshop lectures. Attendees will learn the capabilities of biomedical surface analysis methods and how to intelligently review data received from surface analysis laboratories.
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.
Congratulations, UW Bioengineering 2014-15 scholarship winners!
Eight UW Bioengineering undergraduate students receive merit scholarships for the 2014-15 academic year.
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.
UW Bioengineering students showcase innovation, win second place, Best Innovation prizes at UW Business Plan Competition
UW Bioengineering students led 4 teams in the 2014 Business Plan Competition, which concluded on May 22. Competing against 88 other teams, BioE’s teams pitched diverse, innovative ideas to hundreds of judges – including entrepreneurs, lawyers and investors. One team won second place and Best Innovation prizes.
Profile: PhD student Jason Coult investigates “smarter” treatment for cardiac arrest, pursues musical interests
If your heart stops beating, CPR and a shock might not necessarily save your life. PhD student Jason Coult seeks to increase cardiac arrest survival by improving treatment technology. Outside the lab, playing music helps him stay engaged in research.
Profile: Fulbright recipient Hani Mahmoud to study diabetes in Kuwait
Bioengineering senior Hani Mahmoud is eager to help establish collaborations between the United States and Kuwait on mutual interests in biomedicine to improve health.
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.
Ruikang Wang elected AIMBE Fellow
UW Bioengineering Professor Ruikang Wang to join AIMBE's College of Fellows Class of 2015.
Graduate Academic Counselor Dorian Varga receives 2013-14 GO-MAP Graduate Staff Leadership Award
UW Bioengineering Graduate Academic Counselor Dorian Varga is the 2013-14 recipient of the GO-MAP Graduate Staff Leadership Award in recognition of her consistent efforts to promote diversity in graduate education.
Student Kurt Kung of the Pollack Lab wins two UW poster contests
Kurt Kung, an electrical engineering PhD student and manager of the Pollack lab, recently won two poster competitions at UW with his poster, "The Novel Renewable Energy Technology - Energy Harvesting from Water".
Buddy Ratner named 2014 UW School of Medicine Lifetime Inventor & Innovator
Buddy Ratner, professor of bioengineering and chemical engineering at UW and noted pioneer in the field of biomaterials, is named 2014 UW School of Medicine Lifetime Inventor & Innovator. This award honors an individual whose career has helped pave the way for medical innovation to occur at UW.
Suzie Pun receives 2014 Controlled Release Society Young Investigator Award, inaugural Biomaterials Science Lectureship
UW Bioengineering Robert F. Rushmer Associate Professor Dr. Suzie Pun is the 2014 recipient of the Controlled Release Society (CRS) Young Investigator Award and Biomaterials Science Lectureship.
Deok-Ho Kim appointed to Theranostics editorial board
UW Bioengineering Assistant Professor Deok-Ho Kim recently was appointed to the editorial board of the academic journal Theranostics. The journal, which has an impact factor of 7.806, is one of the leading journals in the field of regenerative medicine and therapeutic applications.
PhD candidates Gina Fridley, Carly Holstein lead Team Flu Finder to 2nd place in 2014 UW Business Plan Competition
Team Flu Finder receives second place prize ($10,000) and Best Innovation prize ($2,500) at the 2014 UW Business Plan Competition. The team, led by UW Bioengineering PhD candidates Gina Fridley and Carly Holstein and involved UW Foster School of Business MBA students. Flu Finder aims to improve current flu diagnosis tests with a new type of diagnostic device that is accurate, inexpensive, and can be administered by anyone, anywhere, with results in less than 20 minutes.
Senior Hani Mahmoud selected as Fulbright Student, will study diabetes in Kuwait
UW Bioengineering senior Hani Mahmoud is selected as a Fulbright Student and becomes the first-ever student in the department's history to receive the internationally renowned fellowship. Hani will travel to Kuwait to investigate the rising prevalence of type-2 diabetes in that country at Dasman Diabetes Institute.
Graduate student Anna Blakney receives 2014 GROW with USAID Fellowship
UW Bioengineering graduate student Anna Blakney receives 2014 GROW with USAID fellowship to study in South Africa. Anna, currently researching in Kim Woodrow's lab, will spend 6 months at University of Cape Town investigating the timing of the BCG vaccine and HIV acquisition from an immunological perspective.
Senior Nicole Trosper receives 2014 Bonderman Travel Fellowship
UW Bioengineering senior Nicole Trosper receives a 2014 Bonderman Travel Fellowship, an award that funds international travel - for the sake of traveling. Nicole plans to travel to Brazil, southeastern Africa, Cambodia and Vietnam.
2014 BIOE Awards Recipient Profiles: Barry Lutz, Wilbert Copeland and Elizabeth Soberg
On March 21, 2014, UW Bioengineering distributed Outstanding Faculty, Graduate Student/TA and Staff Awards. These awards annually recognize outstanding contributions of individual members of the BIOE community. Award recipients include Barry Lutz, Wilbert Copeland and Elizabeth Soberg.
The Seattle Times reports “‘Very big deal’: UW team uses stem cells to fix monkey hearts”
The Seattle Times reports that Dr. Charles Murry, UW professor of pathology, bioengineering and cardiology, and colleagues have successfully regenerated heart muscle in monkeys using human stem cells. This "proof-of-concept" research may one day be applied to humans whose hearts are damaged by heart attack and shows promising progress towards solving the "burgeoning public-health problem" of cardiac disease.
Stem Cell Therapy Regenerates Primate Heart Muscle
Stem cell therapy regenerates heart muscle in primates, finds a study led by Dr. Charles Murry, UW professor of pathology, bioengineering and cardiology. This approach, which uses heart cells created from human embryonic stem cells, should be feasible in humans and may be ready for clinical trials in humans within four years, researchers say. The study was published in the advanced online April 30, 2014 edition of Nature.
UW Bioengineers participate in 2014 Engineering Discovery Days
UW Bioengineering faculty, staff and students participated in Engineering Discovery days April 25-26, 2014, teaching bioengineers of all ages through exciting hands-on exhibits and activities.
BIOE-AP Industry Spotlight: Instrumentation, Imaging, Image-Guided Therapy
Join the BIOE Affiliates Program for an Industry Spotlight event, Tuesday, 5/13/14, 6:00 PM, Foege Room N130A. This event will focus on Instrumentation, Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy.
UW Bioengineering senior Hunter Bennett receives 2014 College of Engineering Dean’s Medal
Hunter Bennett, has been awarded the College of Engineering Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence for 2014. This honor reflects Hunter's hard work, leadership, and tremendous contributions to the Department of Bioengineering during his time here. Congratulations, Hunter!
UW Bioengineering to host 2014 summer camp for Seattle area high school students
UW Bioengineering will host BIOE Summer Camp, a day camp for high school students, July 21-25, 2014. With a focus on bioengineering technologies for global health, the camp will bring 24 Seattle-area students to campus.