The research being done by two BME SURF (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships) students has been garnering a lot of attention recently.

When the spinal cord is injured, the problem is not just the injury itself but tissue damage that occurs after the initial injury. Researchers with Purdue's Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering and the School of Veterinary Medicine appear to have isolated the major cause of the tissue damage, Acrolein. Produced naturally by the body, it is benign at normal levels but becomes toxic as its concentration increases. While this identification is not a cure, it does offer promising avenues for further research and the exploration of potential treatment options to reduce or eliminate secondary damage.

Led by Dr. Riyi Shi, an Associate Professor in Neuroscience and in Biomedical Engineering, the team includes student Jian Luo and Nagoya University student Koji Uchida. Dr. Shi also works with Dr. Richard Borgens on the development of PEG, used to help the membranes of spinal cells heal after an injury.

The news release from Purdue's University News Service provides more information, and additional coverage can be found at the Lafayette Journal & Courier.

Professor Tom Webster has received notification that his proposal entitled "Bionanotechnology for the improvement of orthopedic implants" has been selected by the Coulter Foundation to receive an Early Career Translational Research Award.

Professor Karen Haberstroh has received a Coulter Foundation Early Career Translational Research Award in Biomedical Engineering for her work on in vivo efficacy of nano-structured bladder tissue replacement constructs.

The topic of Proprioception, Gait Kinematics, and Rate of Loading During Walking: Are They Related?, presented by graduate student Jody Riskowsi, premiered the 2005 Summer Seminar series at the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. This series, held for students, faculty, staff, and prospective students, allows students the opportunity to present research and develop presentation skills in a friendly and supportive environment. After the presentation, there is a session for technical questions, then a session to provide feedback and constructive criticism on the presentation itself.

Brian Ward, a graduate student in the joint MD/PhD program sponsored by Purdue BME and the IU School of Medicine, has been selected as a PhD Student Award Finalist at the upcoming 2005 Summer Bioengineering Conference.

At a recent black-tie event in Indianapolis, attended by 300 Purdue friends, donors and alums, a recently formed EPICS team was showcased.

At a luncheon ceremony held on April 28th in Indianapolis, Dr. Leslie A. Geddes was presented with the first annual Outstanding Contribution to Scientific Commercialization Award at the Indiana Health Industry Forum's 2005 Indiana Health Innovention.