Renowned Inventor Dean Kamen Visits UConn

December 7, 2015

On November 7, Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway PT, visited UConn for the first time. He delivered the Lawrence G. Raisz, M.D. Lectureship, an event hosted by the Connecticut Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (CICATS) and UConn School of Engineering in the Student Union of the Storrs campus. Over 300 people, including students, faculty, researchers, public officials and community-based organizations attended. In his keynote entitled “Innovation: Past, Present and Future”, Dean urged the young people present to keep following their dreams and shared an overview of projects he and his engineers at DEKA Research have been working on. He also discussed FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a program for students to get them interested in science, technology, and engineering he and his partners started in 1989 and continue supporting today.

In addition to the Segway, Dean invented the iBOT all-terrain wheelchair as well as several biomedical devices. He has also developed a water purification system he hopes will help improve living standards in developing countries He has received the U.S. Medal of Technology and the ASME Medal, the American Society of Mechanical Engineer’s highest honor. Dean holds more than 440 U.S. and foreign patents.

As the CEO of CICATS, I thank everyone at CICATS for their hard work organizing Dean’s visit over the past months. I also thank the School of Engineering at UConn Storrs for co-hosting this event.

BME Solutions for Health Disparities

November 30, 2015

On October 8, I had the great honor to co-chair a special session with Dr. Gilda Barabino for the 25th Biomedical Engineering Society Meeting in Tampa, FL. The session was entitled “Biomedical Engineering Technology for the Elimination of Health Disparities.” The goal of this session was exploring the roles of various biomedical engineering technologies for use in eliminating health disparities. Topics included the use of technologies for addressing musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis, new emerging technologies involving mobile health (mhealth) which present possibilities for treatment of diabetes and hypertension. The session also addressed the use of biomedical technologies in developing countries, with an eye toward the adaptation of technologies to address issues here in the U.S. The 2015 BME Innovation and Career Development Travel Award winners were also announced at the session.

AESA Launch in Kenya

November 10, 2015

In March, 2015, the African Union supported the establishment of the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA) under the leadership of the African Academy of Sciences and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development. AESA will help drive Africa’s research agenda and build scientific capacity across the continent. The Wellcome Trust, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the UK Department for International Development are funding the development of AESA and sharing their vision of supporting the next generation of African researchers who will help solve some of the continent’s greatest health and development challenges.

In early September, I was honored to receive an invitation to attend the AESA launch in Nairobi. I delivered a speech during which I read a letter from Dr. Francis Collins, the Director of NIH, in support of AESA. As a African-American, I am very proud Africa will play a key role in building a world-class scientific and programmatic unit.

India National Academy of Sciences

November 9, 2015

I am happy to announce that I have been elected a Foreign Fellow of the India National Academy of Sciences. I am one of only two Foreign Fellows elected this year, and the first from the University of Connecticut and UConn Health.

The citation reads “for his pioneering work in the field of material sciences.” I was recognized as a world leader in polymer-ceramic composites, and recognized for his contributions in tissue generation and bioengineering.

Election to the India National Academy of Sciences is a tremendous honor. I feel so fortunate to have had the support of all my colleagues, my students and the organizations I have worked with. My election is a tribute to their support.

The National Academy of Sciences in India was founded in 1930 and it is the oldest Science Academy in India. It is located in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. The main objective of the Academy was to provide a national forum for the publication of research work carried out by Indian scientists and to provide opportunities for exchange of views among them.

2015 Petit Family Foundation Award

October 20, 2015

On September 26, Dr. Linda Barry was honored with the 2015 Petit Family Foundation Women in Science Leadership Award at the Connecticut Science Center’s Green Gala. This award recognizes exceptional leadership in promoting women’s participation and interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects. Through a nomination process and competitive review by the Science Center’s Women-in-Science Steering Committee, Dr. Barry was selected based on her unique background in clinical and translational science, as well as her commitment to mentorship and creating a pipeline for underrepresented minorities to enter research and medicine.

As an Assistant Professor of Surgery, Dr. Barry teaches at the UConn School of Medicine. She serves as Assistant Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Connecticut Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (CICATS) at UConn, Co-Director for the CICATS Pilot Program for Collaborative Translational and Clinical Research, Director of the Young Innovative Investigator Program (YIIP), and Director of the CICATS M1 Mentorship Program. Dr. Barry holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a medical degree from Cornell University Medical College. She is a board-certified liver and pancreas surgeon.

Congratulations, Dr. Barry!

Cato T. Laurencin M.D., Ph.D. Travel Fellowship

September 29, 2015

This month, the Society for Biomaterials (SFB) announced the creation of the Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. Travel Fellowship which encourages minority students to pursue a career in biomaterials. It provides an undergraduate student with the resources to attend the SFB’s annual meeting and become a member of the Society. The Society for Biomaterials is a multidisciplinary society of academic, health care, governmental and business professionals dedicated to promoting advancements in all aspects of biomaterial science, education and professional standards to enhance human health and quality of life.

Learn more about the Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D. Travel Fellowship.

USA Boxing

September 28, 2015

In mid-August, I traveled to Maiquetia, Venezuela for the American Boxing Confederation Championships as the team doctor for USA Boxing’s Elite Men’s Team. In the past two decades, I have volunteered as a doctor for amateur boxing matches as well as professional ones, helping facilitate a sport that provides direction for young athletes. I have always loved boxing, especially the people I’ve encountered. It has a positive influence on young people and helps those at risk in the inner city avoid negative influences by keeping them focused. The rigors of training help instill a positive work ethic in them while encouraging them to stay in shape and avoid drugs and alcohol.

First Regenerative Engineering and Translational Medicine Article Published

September 10, 2015

I am pleased to announce the first article in our journal, Regenerative Engineering and Translational Medicine (RETM) was published online in early September. “Are All Adult Stem Cells The Same?” was written by Professor Arnold I. Caplan at Case Western University. Published by Springer and guided by an internationally recognized editorial team, RETM seeks to bring the best of regenerative engineering research to an international audience. As editor-in-chief, I welcome the submission of manuscripts on any subject within the area of regenerative engineering and translational medicine, especially those related to the topic of regenerating complex human tissues and organs. To see the new articles, please visit RETM’s home page. All articles published in 2015 and 2016 can be permanently downloaded at no cost.

IRE Student Receives NIH Supplemental Grant to Promote Diversity

September 9, 2015

I am pleased to announce Paulos Mengsteab, a graduate student in the Institute for Regenerative Engineering, has received funding from a NIH/NIAMS supplemental grant which will support his Ph.D. studies. This supplemental grant to our current NIH R01 grant, “A Translational Approach to Ligament Regeneration,” evaluates the efficacy of surface modulation of a previously established 3D braided biomimetic tissue-engineered scaffold.

The Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research Program supports the NIH’s efforts to diversify research fields. Specifically, it recruits individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, those with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. The program fosters improvements in the quality of educational environments, broaden perspectives in research priorities, and improve the nation’s capacity to address and eliminate health disparities.

Paulos graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2013. While studying for his degree, Paulos founded a student organization called ‘Step In’ which worked with the Columbia Public Schools in closing the educational achievement gap among races by encouraging underrepresented minorities and disadvantaged students, through applied learning modules, to participate in the STEM fields. Paulos was also selected to participate in the Ronald E. McNair Scholar’s Program and was awarded funding to conduct research under the supervision of Dr. Ahmed Sherif El-Gizawy’s. After graduating, he was awarded the NIH Post-Baccalaureate Education Program Fellowship at the University of Washington, where he conducted research in the Biomedical Engineering Department under the supervision of Dr. Doek-Ho Kim. His primary research project at University of Washington focused on primary cardiomyocytes contractile behavior in response to dynamic nanotopography surfaces. In Fall 2014, Paulos joined the Institute for Regenerative Engineering as a Ph.D. student enrolled in the Biomedical Engineering program at the University of Connecticut.

2015 John and Valerie Rowe Scholars Visiting Lecture

August 25, 2015

This year, I was honored to give a lecture for the John and Valerie Rowe Scholars Visiting Lecture Series at the University of Connecticut. My talk, “Regenerative Engineering: The Theory and Practice of a Next Generation Field,” was held April 22 at the Student Union Theatre on the Storrs campus. The object of my lecture is to highlight the increasing convergence between engineering and medicine. The John and Valerie Rowe Scholars Visiting Lecture Series is designed to bring distinguished health professionals, scholars, and researchers to the Storrs campus annually to speak about critical topics in health care. The lecture series is funded through an endowment to the UConn by the Rowe Family Foundation and is part of the John and Valerie Rowe Health Professions Scholars Program. This program provides opportunities to students from backgrounds underrepresented in the health fields. I hope every Rowe scholar takes advantage of everything the program has to offer. I also want to thank the program organizers and UConn for inviting me to participate in this wonderful event.