Four UC Davis Biomedical Engineering Faculty Inducted into the 2017 AIMBE College of Fellows
The UC Davis Department of Biomedical Engineering is proud to announce that four of its distinguished faculty have been inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE). AIMBE Fellows represent the top 2 percent of the most accomplished leaders in the field who have made transformative contributions to the medical and biological engineering community in academia, industry, government, and education. With this year’s induction, held at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C., the Department of Biomedical Engineering now boasts 14 AIMBE fellows among its faculty.
For outstanding contributions to the development and characterization of cell-instructive biomaterials for therapeutic use in tissue engineering and regeneration.
Dr. Leach is interested in determining the proper mixture of stimulatory signals to induce the formation and regeneration of a variety of tissues. He uses his expertise in biomaterials, drug and gene delivery, and mammalian cell culture to develop model systems for the investigation of tissue regeneration. He has ongoing projects in the engineering of numerous tissues including bone, blood vessels, cornea, and wound healing.
For outstanding contributions to biomicrofluidics, biosensing and nanofabrication.
Dr. Pan conducts exploratory interdisciplinary research bridging nanoengineering and biomedicine. He endeavors to develop novel micro-nanoengineered platforms for contemporary biological applications, to deliver innovative engineered solutions to pressing medical problems, and to educate next-generation bioengineers for future healthcare. His lab is currently extending the power of enabling technologies, including interfacial sciences, microfluidics, nanofabrication, and nanomaterials, to addressing emerging biological and medical challenges in the area of molecular medicine, neuroscience, oncology, ophthalmology, point-of-care diagnostics, and regenerative medicine.
For applying engineering principles to understand living cells, and translating this understanding to design biologically-inspired synthetic materials, networks, and systems.
Dr. Parikh performs experimental research in basic science and engineering at the interface of physical and biological sciences. He dedicates his efforts to contribute to two overarching goals: (1) to apply the tools, knowledge, and insights from physical sciences to understand materials, mechanisms, and processes of a living cell and (2) to translate the physical understanding of cellular systems to design biologically-inspired synthetic materials, networks, and systems.
For advances in computational biology and biostatistics and sustained contributions to science policy and public affairs.
Dr. Rocke’s research spans several fields. His work ranges from statistical analysis of gene expression, proteomics, and metabolomics data to radiation biology, including the effects of low and moderate dose radiation on human skin, along with wound healing and biomedical statistics. He also develops formal models in international relations.
AIMBE Fellows champion the need for engineering research in medicine through advocacy, policy development, and Congressional outreach. By leveraging their accomplishments in research, AIMBE Fellows can guide policy makers to invest appropriately in new and ongoing initiatives to maintain the strength of this field.
“We are very proud of the recognition of these faculty. The induction of four individuals in one year speaks to the overall strength of the UC Davis BME faculty, and the high regard in which their colleagues around the world hold them,” says Alyssa Panitch, Department Chair and AIMBE Fellow.
Research in the Biomedical Engineering Department at UC Davis straddles the interface between engineering and cellular and molecular biology, genomics, and proteomics to develop translational methods and technologies. The department’s 35 faculty, one-third of whom have joint appointments in the School of Medicine, have particular strengths in cellular and molecular engineering, biomedical imaging, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, and computational and systems biology. Their research employs a multi-level approach ranging from computational or mathematical models to experimental testing, all the way to translating the work to the clinic or the operating room. The interdisciplinary and collaborative environment of UC Davis, together with the strong institutional commitment to biomedical engineering, have helped faculty achieve breakthroughs that have garnered international attention.