The chapter received the Best Community Service Award for an outreach activity. In addition, two members received individual honors:  James Pastrnak (BSBME 2012) received the Outstanding Chapter Officer Award; and Christian Rivera (BSBME 2012) received the Outstanding Chapter Member Award.

The Best Community Service Award recognizes an AEMB chapter that has been actively involved in their department, school, or community through a significant event that brings about positive change and contribution to their community. The chapter was recognized for performing outreach activities that promoted biomedical engineering to nearly 200 fifth and sixth graders across the state of Indiana.

The Outstanding Chapter Officer award recognizes a chapter officer who has given his/her utmost dedication and support toward advancing the goals and status of the chapter while maintaining strong leadership, academics, and character.  While president of the Purdue AEMB chapter, Pastrnak dedicated significant personal time to AEMB outreach, fundraising, and social activities. He also developed a mentoring program between BME upperclassmen and first-year engineering students. Pastrnak is now in medical school at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis.

The Outstanding Chapter Member Award recognizes an AEMB chapter member who has had good involvement in chapter activities and events, and has served as a positive role model within the chapter and the department.  Rivera dedicated many hours to supporting AEMB through grant writing and correspondence, developing outreach activities, and introducing biomedical engineering to pre-college students. Rivera is now a graduate student in biomedical engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology.

“Through various development, training, networking, and service opportunities, members of Alpha Eta Mu Beta are able to learn and grow,” said Marcia Pool, national executive director of AEMB and the Purdue AEMB chapter advisor. “In this process, they develop critical lifelong skills that prepare them to become leaders and innovators in the post-college environment.”

Established in 1979, Alpha Eta Mu Beta was formed to recognize and encourage excellence in the field of biomedical engineering and bioengineering. Membership into AEMB consists of those individuals in the field of biomedical engineering or bioengineering who through their attainments in college or in practice have manifested a deep interest and marked ability in their chosen life work. The purpose of AEMB is to bring these individuals into closer union so as to promote an understanding of the profession. Membership is a privilege and an honor. Members are recognized for having conferred honor on their alma mater by distinguished scholarship, exemplary character, honorable activities, and leadership.

More information about AEMB can be found at: http://www.alphaetamubeta.org