Four BME Faculty Inducted into AIMBE College of Fellows

Four faculty members from Purdue University's Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering have been inducted into the 2026 AIMBE College of Fellows, a distinction reserved for the top two percent of engineers in the field. This historic milestone brings nearly half of the school's core faculty into the prestigious organization, solidifying Purdue's position as a national leader in medical and biological innovation.

The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) has announced the induction of four faculty members from the Purdue University Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering to its prestigious College of Fellows. This year’s induction marks a historic milestone for BME, making nearly 50% of the school’s core tenure-track faculty members of the AIMBE College of Fellows.

The 2026 inductees from Purdue include Craig Goergen, Julie Liu, Tamara Kinzer-Ursem and Joseph Wallace.

Induction into the AIMBE College of Fellows is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to a medical and biological engineer. The College of Fellows comprises the top two percent of medical and biological engineers in the country. This honor recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to engineering and medical research, practice or education and who have pioneered new and developing fields of technology.

With the addition of these four faculty members, BME significantly strengthens its standing as a national leader in the field. BME faculty’s representation in AIMBE surpasses typical national benchmarks to establish a concentrated powerhouse of leadership that few programs in the country can match.

The 2026 class of Purdue Fellows represents a broad spectrum of innovation, from advanced diagnostic imaging and point-of-care devices to regenerative medicine and musculoskeletal health. Their election reflects a collective body of work that has influenced technology, medicine and public policy.

  • Craig Goergen: Recognized for pioneering work in dynamic 4D cardiovascular imaging and biomechanics.

  • Julie Liu: Honored for advancements in biomimetic materials and protein-engineered adhesives for tissue repair.

  • Tamara Kinzer-Ursem: Cited for leadership in molecular signaling and the development of computational tools for protein tagging.

  • Joseph Wallace: Recognized for significant contributions to the understanding of bone mechanobiology and collagen-based fracture resistance.

The new Fellows are to be formally inducted during the AIMBE Annual Event this week in Washington, D.C., where they join an elite group of researchers, including Nobel Prize laureates and recipients of the Presidential Medal of Science.

AIMBE is a non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., representing the most accomplished individuals in the fields of medical and biological engineering. Its mission is to provide leadership and advocacy in medical and biological engineering for the benefit of society.


Maggie O’Connor | Marketing and Communications Specialist, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering