Bringing Together the Bright Minds of Bioengineering

Symposium Showcases Student's Research

The 2013 Bioengineering Symposium brought together students, faculty, and staff to share research being conducted within the Department of Bioengineering at Penn State's University Park campus. Topics ranged from axonal regeneration, thrombus rheology, nanofiber curvature sensing, nanoparticles for Alzheimer’s disease drug delivery, and numerous other interesting research areas.

The Bioengineering Symposium was held on April 8, 2013, at the Nittany Lion Inn. It was organized by Penn State’s Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) and sponsored by the bioengineering department, the Engineering Undergraduate Council, and The Penn State. The symposium was held from 9:00am – 3:30pm and included 21 poster presentations and 12 oral presentations.  Displayed work included those from both honors undergraduate and graduate students.  The symposium gave students a platform to practice their presentation skills, receive feedback and questions from the audience, and display their research progress.

Dr. Tim Baldwin, the Deputy Chief of the Advanced Technologies and Surgery Branch in the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, was the keynote speaker for the event. His keynote address titled, “Notes, Lessons, and a Few Warnings From Nearly 30 Years in Bioengineering (and counting),” gave advice and tips to students and faculty as they continue along their bioengineering education or career.

With more than 50 attendees, the symposium was again a successful event. A huge thank you goes out to those that contributed including the participants; Dr. Cheng Dong, distinguished professor and department head of bioengineering; Patrick Erb, president of BMES; Andrew Higgins, event coordinator; and Brittany Banik, event coordinator.

- Brittany Banik

Photograph credits: Harit Pitakiakpipop