In this episode of Office Hours with Liz Wayne, Liz sits down with longtime BMES member and leader Michael King, E.D. Butcher Professor of Bioengineering at Rice University, to explore the evolving role of professional societies in biomedical engineering. From his first BMES Annual Meeting in 2000 to serving in major leadership roles, King reflects on how conferences, mentorship, networking, and community have shaped his career and why these spaces remain essential for students, researchers, and faculty alike.
Michael King, E.D. Butcher Professor of Bioengineering at Rice University
Together, they discuss how BMES has grown over the years, the balance between in-person and virtual engagement, the importance of supporting early-career scientists, and the challenges professional societies face in a rapidly changing academic landscape. The conversation also touches on leadership, scientific advocacy, and what the future of bioengineering communities could look like as technology and culture continue to evolve.
The BMES Nominating Committee is happy to announce the opening of nominations for important positions on the BMES Board: BMES Secretary (two-year term beginning in October 2026), BMES Student Representative to the Board (three-year term beginning in October 2026), and four seats on the BMES Board of Directors (three-year term beginning in October 2026). At least one director position will be filled with an industry/government candidate. We invite you to put forward individuals, or self nominate, who embody the spirit of innovation, leadership, and collaboration that defines BMES. We seek those who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence and who share a vision for driving strategic change within our community. Deadline to Apply: March 31, 2026
BMES is pleased to announce that nominations for 2026 BMES Awards and for this year's class of BMES Fellows are now being accepting. We encourage you to nominate yourself or someone you know who has made a significant impact to the field of biomedical engineering. Learn more about each award and submit your nomination today!
The Deadline to Submit is Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 11:59PM EST
Michele Grimm, University at Albany, led an engaging webinar on cultivating a mentoring tree. During the session, she explored how mentoring extends beyond one-to-one relationships to create networks that support growth, guidance, and long-term career success. Viewers will gain practical insights on building and sustaining mentoring connections at every career stage.
LSU BMES Students Participate in CPRA Engineers Day
We are proud to recognize the LSU BMES Student Chapter for participating in the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) Engineers Day event at the LSU Center for River Studies in Baton Rouge on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the event brought together students, engineers, and community members to explore innovative engineering solutions.
From left; Julia Sutton LSU BMES Student Chapter Outreach Chair; Grant Harris, LSU BMES Student Chapter President; April Wang, LSU BMES Student Chapter Social Chair
By Kristen Billiar, Taimoor Afzal, Olufunmilayo Ayobami & Solomon Mensah
Undergraduate engineering students often face two separate but related barriers: limited access to culturally sensitive global experiences and difficulty securing design internship opportunities. Traditional study abroad and internship programs can be inaccessible due to financial, geographic, or structural constraints, hindering the development of global competencies and practical engineering skills. To address these gaps, researchers created the Virtual Immersion in Biomedical Engineering (VIBE) program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), a free, inclusive, and scalable summer experience.Read More
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