The expansion and augmentation of research and education efforts
within the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering is off to an
outstanding start with the hiring of 9 new faculty members over the past year.

"The implementation of our strategic plan to add 20 new faculty
members within 5 years is transformational for our School," states George Wodicka.
"These nine individuals are an outstanding start to the effort, and
immediately advance both our education and research capacity. I ask
that you join us in welcoming these new members of the BME family."

Family is important to Sherry Voytik-Harbin (on right in photo), and two different but complementary families share this dynamic researcher. The first is her nuclear family, which is the most important part of her life. The second is the larger family of faculty, staff, and students at the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering who are helping her advance understanding of the complex multi-dimensional interactions of cells with the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM). From that understanding comes the possibility of engineering ECM-based biomaterials that better interface with cells for improved repair and regeneration of damaged tissues.

The Purdue University Board of Trustees approved a named professorship in the School of Veterinary Medicine for J. Paul Robinson.

Professor Riyi Shi was the sole invited speaker at the State of New York Spinal Cord Research Board Meeting, held in New York City on December 2nd.

The 2005-2006 Geddes-Laufman-Greatbatch Award has been presented to Grace Park.

Cindy Ferguson, secretary to the BME academic programs office, was named the recipient of this year's BME Staff Service Award.

In recognition of the dedicated service of our faculty members, the school has initiated an Outstanding Biomedical Engineering Faculty Award, which this year has been presented to Professor Sherry Voytik-Harbin.

Aaron Kyle was awarded the 2005 Fearnot Prize from the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering.

Recent research work by Purdue professors Ji-Xin Cheng of BME and Alex Wei of Chemistry is the focus of a news feature on nanotechweb.org.

Last month, Small Times unveiled its fourth annual Best of Small Tech Awards, naming Professor Rashid Bashir as a finalist in their Innovator category.