Dr. Rashid Bashir received the Robert A. Pritzker Award Thursday, during the first full day of the BMES Annual Meeting in Atlanta.

Bashir -- who was recently named dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign -- said early in his educational career he was perhaps a bit too focused at times. In fact, he didn't take any biology classes until he nearly finished his computer science degree, he said. 

Those classes opened his eyes to an area of study he didn't realize he was interested in pursuing. Ultimately that spark led him to a career in bioengineering, he said.

And he encouraged attendees to allow themselves to be open to new ideas.

"Take your time, look around, find your passion," Bashir said.

Anjelica Gonzalez: BMES Diversity Award Lecture

For Dr. Anjelica Gonzalez, science is something we all contribute too. And science is better when a diverse group of people pursue it.

Gonzalez received the BMES Diversity Award Thursday, and gave a talk that examined how unique people bring unique perspectives to scientific research.

Growing up in Las Vegas, Gonzalez learned the fundamentals of probabilities and odds from her mother who worked as a blackjack dealer. And from her farming grandfather, she learned about irrigation and water flow

"Now I build micro-vessels," Gonzalez said. "They work just like how water flows through the canals to the fields."

Gonzalez's point is each individual's life experience brings something unique and beneficial to science.

Gonzalez said everyone can participate in making science more diverse. Even though it is easy to connect with people who look like yourself, she challenged the audience to create connections with people who don't look the same.

One way to help bring diversity to science is to simply be visible, she said. Anything from reading a book to kindergartners, to teaching high school teachers how to do a fun science project can help bring a broader range of people into science, she said.

BMES President's State of the Society:

Record setting meeting and the 50th Anniversary

BMES President Dr. Lori Setton kicked off the first full day of the 2018 BMES Annual Meeting with her State of the Society.

Setton shared positive news about the Society, including: A record 5,200+ attendees at the annual meeting, a record 177 exhibit booths, and overall good financial health for BMES. 

Setton also welcomed incoming BMES President Dawn Elliott, who begins her term on Saturday.

In honor of the 50 ^th Anniversary, Setton encouraged attendees to view the time capsule displayed in the expo, pick up some limited edition 50 ^th Anniversary swag and have fun at the 50 ^th themed Friday night dessert bash.

 

Celebration of Minorities in BME Luncheon

Dr. Paula T. Hammond

David H. Koch Chair Professor of Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering.

Dr. Hammond delivered an inspirational message leading to a standing ovation.