Elsje Pienaar has been promoted to associate professor with tenure. Pienaar earned her PhD from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and joined the Weldon School in 2017 as an assistant professor. Her research interests include; computational modeling of host-pathogen interactions in infectious diseases, systems pharmacology, drug distribution and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Pienaar also serves as the director of undergraduate programs for BME.

Aaron Lottes has been promoted to professor of engineering practice. Lottes earned his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Purdue University. Following a successful career with Cook Medical, Lottes returned to Purdue in 2020 to educate future graduates on working in the medical device industry. His research interests include regulatory science for medical devices and combination products, global harmonization of clinical and regulatory processes, testing and commercialization of new technologies, clinical strategy and clinical evidence development, and experiential learning. Lottes also serves as the director of professional education and online programs for BME.

Tamara Kinzer-Ursem has been promoted to the Marta E Gross Professor. Kinzer-Ursem earned her PhD from the University of Michigan in Chemical Engineering. She joined the Weldon School in 2012. Her research interests include computational cell biology, systems biology, protein engineering, bionanotechnology and biosensors and molecular neuroscience. She also serves as Associate Dean of Graduate and Professional Education in the College of Engineering.

Chi Hwan Lee has been promoted to the Leslie A. Geddes Professor. Lee earned his PhD from Stanford University. He joined the Weldon School in 2015. His research interests include wearable biomedical devices, “crack”-driven transfer printing technology, scalable manufacturing technology and mechanics and materials for flexible/stretchable electronics. Lee also serves as an associate professor of Mechanical Engineering.

Hyowon (Hugh) Lee has been promoted to professor. He also serves as the Director of the Center for Implantable Devices. Lee earned his PhD from the University of California, Los Angeles. He joined the Weldon School in 2014. His research interests include implantable microdevices for neurological application, minimally invasive neurostimulation devices, MEMS-cell interface and micro and nanofabrication technologies.

Purdue trustees annually approve promotions in April, per the Purdue academic tenure and promotion policy.

Source: Trustees approve faculty promotions, tenured faculty transferring from IUPUI to Purdue West Lafayette