Purdue University's Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering and the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez have formed a partnership agreement designed to facilitate collaborative research and education efforts between the two institutions.

“This first-of-its-kind partnership builds upon the complementary strengths of Purdue and the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez” George Wodicka, head of the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, said. “It will allow our institutions to work together in the field of biomedical engineering through faculty and student exchanges, collaborative research, and cooperative curriculum initiatives.”

A former president and CEO of an international producer of medical devices will serve as the executive director of the Alfred Mann Institute for Biomedical Development at Purdue University.

Purdue and Purdue Research Foundation officials announced Friday, November 30th, that John C. Hertig, the former president and CEO of Enpath Medical Inc. in Minneapolis, will be the institute's inaugural executive director. The Purdue engineering alumnus began his duties on Monday, December 3rd.

Klod Kokini has been named to the College of Fellows of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.

The College of Fellows consists of approximately 1,000 individuals who are the outstanding bioengineers in academia, industry and government. These leaders in the field have distinguished themselves through their contributions in research, industrial practice, and/or education. Fellows are involved in planning AIMBE's annual event, other professional activities within AIMBE, and also to advancing bioengineering as a career option to younger students and youths around the world.

Kokini is a Professor in the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering and in the School of Mechanical Engineering, and is also the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs within the College of Engineering. He earned his B.S.M.E. from Bogazici University in 1976, his M.S.M.E. from Syracuse University in 1978, and his Ph.D. from Syracuse University in 1982. His research interests include the mechanical behavior, design, and remodeling of biological tissues; and, the effects of stresses on remodeling.

"This is a well deserved honor for Klod," notes George Wodicka, head of the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. "It recognizes his significant contributions in research and in encouraging and educating the next generation of biomedical engineers."

The Fellows are inducted at AIMBE's annual event, held each spring in Washington, D.C.

A new technology for cancer detection that eliminates the need for drawing blood has been developed by Purdue University researchers.

Researchers from Purdue's Cancer Center, Department of Chemistry and Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering collaborated with cancer and biotechnology experts from the Mayo Clinic to develop technology to detect tumor cells within the human body. By shining a laser on surface veins, such as those on the wrist and inside the cheek, researchers are able to reveal and count circulating tumor cells.