Engineering Research Center for Revolutionizing Metallic Biomaterials Provides Unique Opportunities for Graduate Students at Pitt and Partner Universities

������� Catherine Hagandora, BMES Secretary, ERC Graduate Student

To learn more about the ERC:

Contact Dr. Borovetz - borovetzhs@upmc.edu

OR
Contact Dr. Wagner - wagnerwr@upmc.edu

OR

Visit erc.ncat.edu

� By being a part of the ERC-RMB, I am able to conduct research with a wide range of resources at my disposal, as well as gain insight and experience on how to translate my research into intellectual property and potential products.�

- Da-Tren Chou, PhD Candidate and ERC Graduate Student

The National Science Foundation awarded North Carolina A&T University,� University of Pittsburgh, University of Cincinnati, and Hannover Medical School in Germany with an Engineering Research Center for Revolutionizing Metallic Biomaterials (ERC-RMB) in 2008.

 

The primary goal of the center is to improve treatment options for patients suffering from orthopedic, craniofacial, and cardiovascular ailments through the development of biodegradable metallic biomaterials.� The ERC-RMB is charged with cultivating scientific innovation and training future leaders in both industry and academia.

The NSF-ERC was developed through a collaborative effort between academic leaders at each institution.� The strategic plan of the ERC-RMB can be summarized into the following steps:� development of novel alloys, characterization of new materials, biotoxicity testing, and device development.� The ERC is also working towards developing sensors to track alloy degradation in vivo.

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The ERC-RMB is currently in its third year of funding and has just recently been renewed for another five years.� Currently, thirteen graduate students from the University of Pittsburgh are part of the ERC-RMB.� Students of the ERC are actively involved in research, outreach events, and industrial collaboration.� The students also participate in a Student Leadership Committee (SLC) where they alternate organizing and hosting �Student Days� at each institution.� These weekend-long events provide the opportunity for students from each school to present updates on their research while also collaborating with other members of the ERC.� The SLC has recently taken on two new initiatives: to expand the resources for students interested in entrepreneurship and to better prepare effective future bioengineering faculty.

 

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Da-Tren Chou, a third year ERC graduate student in the Kumta Research Group describes how �the ERC-RMB provides opportunities to collaborate with a vast breadth of researchers from varied disciplines not only at Pitt, but also at partner institutions - the University of Cincinnati, North Carolina A&T University, and Hannover Medical School in Germany.  One of the main focus areas of the ERC-RMB is to develop students to be experienced in translational research to move a technology closer to products, and thus has brought in relevant members of industry and clinicians to spur innovative thinking.  Thus, by being a part of the ERC-RMB, I am able to conduct research with a wide range of resources at my disposal as well as gain insight and experience on how to translate my research into intellectual property and potential products.�

Members of the ERC team following the annual NSF Site Visit at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, NC.