Three faculty members from UW Bioengineering have been recognized by the Society for Biomaterials (SFB) for their outstanding contributions in leadership, service and research. These honors highlight their impactful work in advancing biomaterials science and shaping the future of the field. The SFB, a leading multidisciplinary organization, is dedicated to fostering innovation, education and excellence in biomaterials research and professional standards.

Cole DeForest received the Mid-Career Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to biomaterials research. DeForest is recognized for his groundbreaking work in integrating biomaterials design with materials science, synthetic chemistry, protein engineering and cell biology. In addition to his research, DeForest is passionate about biomaterials education and promotion, sharing his expertise both in academia and with the public.

Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert was honored with the Society for Biomaterials Award for Service. Sakiyama-Elbert has dedicated over 20 years of service to SFB, taking on high-impact roles such as President, Council Member and chair of various committees. Her leadership has bridged the gap between academia, industry and professional organizations, strengthening SFB and advancing the field of biomaterials as a whole.

The BME UNITE Future Faculty Program, co-founded by Kelly Stevens, received the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award. This program supports postdoctoral fellows from historically underrepresented identities who are pursuing faculty positions in biomedical engineering or bioengineering. Future Faculty Fellows are given the opportunity to present 20-minute talks at prominent BME departments where the speakers can share their work and receive mentorship from department leadership.

To learn more about the SFB and to view a complete list of 2025 award recipients, read SFB’s press release.