Pitt Bioengineering Takes Center Stage at ASME Summer Bioengineering Conference

�� Kwang Kim - BMES Webmaster

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The 13th Summer Bioengineering Conference, the flagship meeting of the Bioengineering Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) was hosted at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort from June 22 to 25. Spearheaded by Dr. David Vorp of the bioengineering department, who served as Conference Chair, a large number of Pitt faculty and students participated in the conference through numerous presentations and recognitions.

The conference hosted a record number of participants with 800 attendees and over 700 poster/podium presentations. Among the excellent pool of presenters were Pitt faculty and students who gave 47 poster/podium presentations, showcasing Pitt bioengineering as a national powerhouse in the field of biomechanics. Also, many Pitt faculty members chaired scientific sessions, workshops, and symposia. Notably, Dr. Lance Davidson of the bioengineering department co-chaired a day-long symposium titled �US National Committee on Biomechanics 3rd Symposium on Frontiers in Biomechanics: Mechanics of Development� the day before the conference. The symposium�s keynote speakers included Dr. Eric Wieschaus from Princeton University, a Nobel laureate in Physiology and Medicine, who was one of the early pioneers in developmental biology.

Dr. Alejandro Almarza of Pitt (left) and Dr. Matthew Fisher from Univ. of Pennsylvania (right) are chairing the first session of Woo Symposium.

Dr. and Mrs. Woo at the birthday party after the symposium.

Dr. David Vorp, this year�s Van C. Mow Medal recipient

During the conference, Pitt faculty and students were recognized for their excellent accomplishments and contributions in the field of biomechanics. Dr. Vorp was awarded the Van C. Mow Medal, which is bestowed to a mid-career scientist who has made significant contributions to the field of bioengineering. Dr. Vorp was recognized as a leader in vascular biomechanics and tissue engineering for his work in helping to define biomechanical factors responsible for aortic aneurysm rupture and developing vascular tissue engineering technologies for treatment of arterial diseases.�

Dr. Vorp also served ASME and the broader biomechanics community through professional leadership, primarily through its Bioengineering Division (Executive Committee), as Chair of the ASME NIH Task Force, program chair for the ASME BED 2008 Summer Bioengineering Conference (SBC), conference chair for the 2011 SBC, and as ASME Representative to the US National Council on Biomechanics.

The conference also hosted a special symposium to honor Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo, Distinguished University Professor at Pitt, for his lifetime achievements in bioengineering. Dr. Jennifer Wayne from Virginia� Tech and Dr. David Vorp put together the symposium to highlight the four major areas of Dr. Woo�s career contribution: Tissue Mechanics, Robotics to Analyze Joint Stability, Modeling of Tendons & Ligaments as well as Functional Tissue Engineering for Healing of Tendons and Ligaments.

There were 4 two-hour sessions organized by his friends, colleagues and former trainees. Each session began with a keynote lecture to be followed with 5 presentations.� There was also a special video greeting from Dr. and Mrs. Y-C. Fung and Dr. Shu Chien, prepared by Dr. Peter Chen. After the special symposia, 80 of Dr. Woo�s students, fellows and good friends, including Drs. Borovetz, Shroff, and Vorp of the bioengineering department, gathered at a private party to celebrate his birthday.

Among the students, Kelvin Luu, an undergraduate student majoring in bioengineering at Pitt, won a third place in the BS level paper competition to boost Pitt�s presence.

Through the numerous presentations and recognitions, our faculty and students impressively represented Pitt bioengineering to the national and international biomechanics community at this year�s ASME SBC. This is certainly a well deserved recognition of the excellent accomplishments of our faculty and students and their hard work, and our presence at the conference should continue to grow in the coming years.