As the novel coronavirus pandemic approaches 1 million cases worldwide, Purdue University researchers have launched more than 30 research projects and have applied for funding for nearly 20 additional projects.

The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) has
announced the induction of Paul M. Griffin, Ph.D., Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Industrial
Engineering, Regenstrief Center for Healthcare, Purdue University, St. Vincent Health Director,
Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering to its College of Fellows.

The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) has
announced the induction of Thomas M. Talavage, Ph.D., Professor, Weldon School of Biomedical
Engineering and School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University to its College of
Fellows.

The seventh annual Health and Disease: Science, Technology, Culture and Policy Research Poster Session showcased more than 100 graduate student presenters from colleges across campus. In the Healthcare Technology and Engineering section, Weldon School students Shruthi Suresh, Divya Tankasala, and Angel Enriquez swept the board, winning first, second, and third places, respectively.

A Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering faculty member and graduate researchers were the recipients of two Purdue University Focus Awards. The awards are presented each March to those affiliated with Purdue who have made outstanding contributions in the area of disability accessibility and disability diversity. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the Focus Awards.

Our hands do so much more than just help us hold on to the world. They grip, but they also sense tactile surfaces and gradients in temperature. They detect pressure and weight to assist us in manipulating items and bracing ourselves.

Precise, personalized medicine requires nanoscale research and insight into the human cell to better understand disease and healing — the prerequisite for developing targeted therapies for specific pathologies and individual patients. But researchers cultivate cells in “wet” cultures hostile to electronic instrumentation, making it difficult to monitor cell function and behavior for a long period of time.

Frederick Damen, a fourth-year MD/PhD student in the Purdue University Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, received the 2018-2019 Geddes-Greatbatch-Laufman Award on Feb. 4 at the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Student Association general body meeting. The annual award is presented to the outstanding student or postdoctoral fellow in the Weldon School.

Only a select number of state and local laboratories have permission from U.S. health officials to use diagnostic tests for COVID-19, a coronavirus-caused disease. If the virus is spreading nationwide, most communities do not have access to the necessary tests. Purdue University biomedical engineers have developed a handheld paper device that quickly and accurately detects a different strain of coronavirus, MERS-CoV, even in really small quantities.

A significant investment from a Purdue University alumnus and his wife will help further develop technology aimed at treating obesity and diabetes by turning bad fat into good fat inside the body.