Students shine at the 2nd Annual BME Bioinstrumentation Expo
Each spring, students in the BME Bioinstrumentation course work on a team to create a device with applications used in clinical medicine and/or biomedical research. BME students are tasked with developing the project idea based on research and clinical needs. This course lets students use their creativity while applying knowledge gained in class and previous coursework. Team projects must utilize systems for measuring biological signals that can include biopotentials (electrical signals generated in the body), strain, pressure, and temperature that are used to interpret data from living systems. Students also participate in ethical discussions and regulatory issues surrounding medical devices.
This year, we had 14 team projects that included a Smart Bandage that would help remind the user to change their bandage if it met certain conditions to prevent infection to the EverWomb, swaddling that emulates the womb environment of temperature and mother’s heartbeat for newborn babies.
One project, ExoStride, received top honors from judges. This assistive device allows users to use a modified knee brace for increased mobility. The idea came to the team as they reflected on those in their lives who live with chronic knee pain and injury with the goal of providing independence. Congratulations to team members Mallory Phillips, Kevin Leidig, Sudhiksha Sivakumar and Madison Seckman on their Outstanding Project Award.
BME alums - Caitlin Mascio, Viri Varela and Kayla Pacheco
While BME is still a relatively new Program, we were excited to welcome back three program alumni who helped judge this year’s Bioinstrumentation projects. Alumni from the first BME graduating cohort of 14 from Spring 2023 returned to campus to engage with current students. These alums could draw from their work experience in reviewing these projects while at the same time setting students at ease given, they were recently in their same shoes. Alumni included Kayla Pacheco, Viri Varela and Caitlin Mascio who had a chance to have a mini reunion while attending the expo. This was truly a full-circle moment for the BME Program.