Special Interest Groups

Chairs supervise and control all business of the Special Interest Groups and also serve as members of the Special Interest Group Committee. Group Vice-chairpersons assist the Chairs. Group Secretary-Treasurers are responsible for funds and securities of the group and maintain minutes of group meetings. Program Chairs represent the interest of the group within the programs, publications, and activities of the Society.

Special Interest Group Representative:
Elizabeth A. Friis
University of Kansas
Dept of Mechanical Engineering
1530 W 15th St
Learned Hall, Room 3013
Lawrence, KS 66045-2234
Phone: (785) 864-2104
Fax: (785) 864-5254
Email: lfriis@ku.edu


The Society's Special Interest Groups provide a forum for networking and new ideas within a focused environment.

Biomaterials Availability and Policy

This vertically integrated group addresses regulatory, ethical, economic, legislative, litigative, and socio-cultural factors impacting the development, deployment, and performance of biomaterials.

Chair: Carl R. McMillan, PhD
Synthetic Body Parts
6099 Warblers Roost
Brecksville, OH  44141
t: (440) 838-0985
f: (440) 838-4516
e: carl@syntheticbodyparts.com

Vice-Chair: Kathleen White, BS
Polymer Technology Group
2810  7th St
Berkeley, CA  94710-2703
t: (510) 841-8800
f: (510) 841-7800
e: kwhite@polymertech.com

Secretary/Treasurer: James M. Curtis, ME
Dept of Med Device Operations
Life Sci Indus
PO Box 994
MS CO1272
Midland, MI  48686-0994
t: (989) 496-6933
f: (989) 496-8065
e: jim.curtis@dowcorning.com

Program Chair: Sandra M. Hooper
Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Inc
R&D
6901 Preston Rd
Plano, TX  75024
t: (972) 309-8105
f: (972) 309-8255
e: s.hooper@ans-medical.com

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Biomaterials Education

Our mission is to affect quality of teaching and learning through the discussion, generation and implementation of innovative ideas. Through this, we seek to advance the interests and goals of the biomaterials community by attempting to bridge the gap between classroom theory and clinical application. As the field of biomaterials rapidly evolves, so must biomaterials education. The Biomaterials Education Special Interest Group is dedicated to the belief that all members of the biomaterials community should be provided with high quality educational opportunities in a stimulating environment.

Chair: Jeffrey M. Karp
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Dept of Chemical Engineering
77 Massachusetts Ave, E25-342
Cambridge, MA  02139
t: (617) 253-6304
f: (617) 258-8827
e: jeffkarp@mit.edu

Vice-Chair: Yusuf Khan, PhD
University of Virginia
Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery
UVA School of Medicine
Box 800374
Charlottesville, VA  22902
t: (434) 924-5989
f: (434) 924-1691
e: yk4t@virginia.edu

Secretary/Treasurer: Lisa Benson
Clemson Univ
Bioengineering
401 Rhodes Engr Bldg
Clemson, SC  29634
t: (864) 656-0417
f: (864) 656-4466
e: lbenson@clemson.edu

Program Chair: Elizabeth A. Friis
University of Kansas
Dept of Mechanical Engineering
1530 W 15th St
Learned Hall, Room 3138
Lawrence, KS  66045-2234
t: (785) 864-2104
f: (785) 864-5254
e: lfriis@ku.edu

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Cardiovascular Biomaterials

The Cardiovascular Special Interest Group has the mission to foster the professional interaction and address the common concerns of academic and industrial scientists and engineers, clinicians, and regulatory professionals concerned with the discovery, research, development, and use of biomaterials for cardiovascular devices and implants.

Chair: Peter Edelman, PhD
Boston Scientific
Dept of MTAC
One Scimed Place
Maple Grove, MN  55311
t: (763) 255-0282
f: (763) 322-5048
e: peter.edelman@bsci.com

Vice-Chair: Naren Vyavahare, PhD
Clemson University
Bioengineering
401 Rhodes Hall
Clemson, SC  29634
t: (864) 656-5558
f: (864) 656-4466
e: narenv@clemson.edu

Secretary/Treasurer: Martin W. King, PhD
North Carolina State University
College of Textiles
2401 Research Dr
Box 8301
Raleigh, NC  27695
t: (919) 515-1011
f: (919) 515-3733
e: martin_king@ncsu.edu

Program Chair: Horst Von Recum, PhD
Case Western Reserve University
Dept Of Biomedical Engineering
10900 Euclid Ave
Cleveland, OH  44106
t: (216) 368-5513
f: (216) 368-4969
e: horst.vonrecum@case.edu

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Cell/Organ Therapies

The Biomaterials-Cell/Organ Therapies Special Interest Group promotes research on biological substitutes that enhance, maintain, or restore the functions of tissues and organs. Special emphasis is placed on the influence of materials on cell and tissue function. General research areas of interest encompass cell and tissue engineering, cell encapsulation, artificial organs, blood substitutes and gene therapy. Specific examples of interest to this group include: extracellular matrix mimics, bioactive and hybrid materials, material-induced cell phenomena, particularly cell responses resulting from cell surface receptor activation and signaling. This SIG provides a forum to discuss recent advances in science and engineering of tissues and artificial organs that consist of cells and next-generation materials. This group organizes workshops, symposia, podium/poster sessions, tutorials and short courses focused on this topic.

Chair: Krishnendu Roy, PhD
University of Texas at Austin
Dept of Biomedical Engineering
ENS 610 C0800
One University Station
Austin, TX  78712
t:  (512) 232-3477
e:  kroy@mail.utexas.edu

Vice-Chair: Eben Alsberg, PhD
Case Western Reserve University
Dept Of Biomedical Engineering
10900 Euclid Ave
Wickenden Room 204
Cleveland, OH  44106
t: (216) 368-6425
f: (216)368-4969
e: Eben.alsberg@case.edu

Secretary/Treasurer: Hyun Joon Kong, PhD
University of Illinois
108 RAL University of Illinois
Urbana, IL  61801
t: (217) 333-1178
e: hjkong06@uiuc.edu

Program Chair: Jon Rowley, PhD
Aastrom Biosciences
Matrix Biology
PO Box 376
Ann Arbor, MI  48106
t: (734) 930-5555
f: (734) 665-0485
e: jrowley@aastrom.com

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Dental/Craniofacial Materials

The Dental/Craniofacial Biomaterials Special Interest Group focuses on basic, applied, and clinical biomaterials research using approaches ranging from synthetic materials to biological mechanisms of therapy, and including materials/biological constructs and tissue structure-function analyses as biomimetic/design bases. Each of these approaches converge into the larger objective of restoring oral tissue structure and function. Issues related to materials used or having potential for use intra-orally or extra-orally for the restoration, fixation, replacement, or regeneration of hard and soft tissues in and about the oral cavity and craniofacial region are included. New dental biomaterials technologies include advanced inorganic and organic materials, biomimetics, smart materials, tissue engineering, drug delivery strategies and surface modified materials.

Chair/Program Chair: Spiro Megremis, PhD
American Dental Association
Department of Science
211 E Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL  60611-2678
t: (312) 440-3546
f: (312) 440-2536
e: megremiss@ada.org

Vice-Chair: Sachin Mamidwar, MS
Orthogen Corporation
505 Morris Ave, Suite 104
Springfield, NJ  07081
t: (973) 467-2404
f: (973) 467-1218
e: smamidwar@orthogencorp.com

Secretary/Treasurer: John Ricci, PhD
New York University
Dept of Biomaterials & Biomimetics
College of Dentistry
345 E 24th St, Room 816A
New York, NY  10010
t: (212) 998-9623
f: (212) 995-4244
e: john.ricci@nyu.edu

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Drug Delivery

The Drug Delivery Special Interest Group will deal with the science and technology of controlled release of active agents from delivery systems. Controlled drug release is achieved by the use of diffusion, chemical reactions, dissolutions or osmosis, used either singly or in combination. While the vast majority of such delivery devices are based on polymers, controlled release can also be achieved by the use of mechanical pumps. In a broader sense, controlled release also involves control over the site of action of the active agent, using the active agent using pro-drugs, targetable water soluble polymers or various microparticulate systems. Relevant aspects of toxicology, bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and biocompatibility are also included.

Chair: Mark Byrne, PhD
Auburn University
Dept of Chemical Engineering
230 Ross Hall
Auburn, AL  36849-5127
t: (334) 844-2862
f: (334) 844-2063
e: byrneme@eng.auburn.edu

Vice-Chair: Liisa Kuhn, PhD
University of Connecticut Health Center
Center for Biomaterials
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT  06030-1715
t:  (860) 679-3922
f:  (860) 679-2910
e:  lkuhn@uchc.edu

Secretary/Treasurer: J. Zach Hilt, PhD
University of Kentucky
Dept of Chemical & Materials Engineering
177 F. Paul Anderson Tower
Lexington, KY  40506
t: (859) 257-9844
f: (859) 323-1929
e: hilt@engr.uky.edu

Program Chair: Richard A. Gemeinhart, PhD
University of Illinois
Dept of Biopharmaceutical Sciences
833 S Wood St
MC 865
Chicago, IL  60612-7231
t: (312) 996-2253
f: (312) 996-2784
e: rag@uic.edu

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Implant Pathology

The purpose of the Implant Pathology Special Interest Group is to improve the performance of implanted devices through fostering basic and clinical research in implant pathology. All devices, including cardiovascular, hard and soft tissue implants are the focus of attention. Areas of interest include explant analysis, studies of device failure such as wear debris, degradation, thrombosis or calcification, and tissue or cellular interactions with devices. All persons with an interest in the pathology of the host/device relationship are encouraged to participate.

Chair: Howard Winet
University Of California, Los Angeles
Bioengineering Dept
PO Box 951600
Los Angeles, CA  90095
t: (213) 742-1007 x1459
f: (310) 794-5956
e: hwinet@seas.ucla.edu

Vice-Chair: Hamed Benghuzzi, PhD
University Of Mississippi Medical Center
Dept Of Health Sciences
2500 North State Street
Jackson, MS  39216-4505
t: (601) 984-6324
f: (601) 984-5062
e: hbenghuzzi@shrp.umsmed.edu

Secretary/Treasurer: Janson Emmanuel
W L Gore Associates
Department of Pathology
4100 W Kiltie Ln
Box 900
Flagstaff, AZ  86001
t: (928) 864-3855
f: (928) 864-3860
e: jemmanual@wlgore.com

Program Chair: Lynne Jones, PhD
Johns Hopkins University
Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery
School of Medicine
5601 Loch Raven Blvd, Suite 201, GSH POB
Baltimore, MD  21239
t: (410) 532-5906
f: (410) 532-5908
e: ljones3@jhmi.edu

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Ophthalmic Biomaterials

The scope of the Ophthalmology Special Interest Group encompasses both the development and biocompatibility testing of materials for the augmentation and replacement of diseased ocular tissues and the development and testing of drug delivery systems to the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. Some specific areas of interest include but are not limited to: wetting of surfaces; surface modification and protein adsorption of polymers used for refractive devices; transport through polymers, drug delivery systems and technologies; vitreous replacement fluids; retinal tamponades, and glaucoma drainage devices for the regulation of intraocular pressure.

Chair: Jean T. Jacob, PhD
LSU Eye Center
2020 Gravier St, Suite B
New Orleans, LA 70112
t: * (504) 412-1326
f: (504) 412-1315
e: jjacob@lsuhsc.edu

Vice-Chair: Leonard Pinchuk
Innovia LLC
12415 SW 136th Ave, Unit 3
Miami, FL 33186
t: (305) 378-2651
f: (305) 378-2652
e: len@innovia-llc.com

Secretary/Treasurer: Margaret W. Kayo
Biosensors International USA
Research and Development
20280 Acacia St, Suite 300
Newport Beach, CA 92660
t: (949) 553-8300 x 289
f: (949) 553-9435
e: m.kayo@biosensors.com

Program Chair: Daniel J. Urbaniak, PhD
Advanced Medical Optics
1700 E. St. Andrew Pl.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
t: (714) 247-8369
f: (714) 247-8791
e: daniel.urbaniak@amo-inc.com

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Orthopaedic Biomaterials

The Orthopaedic Biomaterials Special Interest Group is focusing on new technologies and materials advances in orthopaedic surgery. The three immediate goals of this emerging Special Interest Group are: 1) solicitation of new members for the Special Interest Group from current Society membership and from non-members actively engaged in research and development of improved materials for orthopaedics, 2) identification of key issues in orthopaedic materials that should be addressed within the Society, and 3) cooperation between Special Interest Group membership and the chairman of the Program Committee for the Annual Meeting to assist in the coordination of the scientific program.

Chair: Lynne Jones, PhD
Johns Hopkins University
Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery
School of Medicine
5601 Loch Raven Blvd, Suite 201, GSH POB
Baltimore, MD  21239
t:  (410) 532-5906
f:  (410) 532-5908
e:  ljones3@jhmi.edu

Vice-Chair: Yusuf Khan, PhD
University of Virginia
Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery
UVA School of Medicine
Box 800374
Charlottesville, VA  22902
t: (434) 924-5989
f: (434) 924-1691
e: yk4t@virginia.edu

Secretary/Treasurer: Nuno Neves, PhD
University of Minho
3Bs Research Group/Dep. Polym. Eng.
Campus De Gualtar
Braga 4700-057
Portugal
t:  351 253604497
f:  351 253604492
e:  nuno@dep.uminho.pt

Program Chair: Lakshmi Nair, PhD
University of Virginia
Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery
PO Box 800759
Charlottesville, VA  22903
t:  (434) 924-1926
f:  (434) 982-3870
e:  nair@virginia.edu

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Protein and Cells at Interfaces

The Proteins and Cells at Interfaces Special Interest Group seeks to promote a better understanding of cell and protein interactions with biomaterial interfaces. To achieve these goals, the group organizes activities related to the evaluation of existing materials and the design of new materials to produce targeted responses by proteins and cells. Some of the topics related to proteins include: 1) relating surface chemistry to protein adsorption or specific binding and 2) studying the activation or inactivation of protein function at interfaces, including complement activation. Cell topics include: 1) the response of cells to differing chemistries and microstructures (roughness or porosity), 2) the evaluation of multiple cell and tissue response parameters (attachment, growth, migration, differentiation, inflammation, fibrosis), 3) the role of surface receptors in cell responses, and 4) all relevant cell types including bacteria. The group organizes workshops, symposia, and sessions at the Annual Meeting.

Chair: Nicholas Ziats, PhD
Case Western Research University
Department of Pathology
10900 Euclid Ave
Wolstein Building #5143
Cleveland, OH  44106
t: (216) 368-5176
f: (216) 368-1357
e: npz@case.edu

Vice-Chair: SuPing Lyu, PhD
Medtronic Inc.
Dept of Corp Sci & Tech
710 Medtronic Pkwy N
Minneapolis, MN  55432
t: (763) 505-4549
f: (763) 505-4712
e: suping.lyu@medtronic.com

Secretary/Treasurer: Ben Keselowsky, PhD
University Of Florida
Dept Of Biomedical Engineering
130 BME Building
PO Box 116131
Gainesville, FL  32611-6131
t: (352) 273-5878
e: bkeselowsky@bme.ufl.edu

Program Chair: Carl Simon, PhD
NIST
Dept. Of Tissue Engineering
100 Bureau Drive
Gaithersburg, MD  20899
t: (301) 975-8574
f: (301) 975-4977
e: carl.simon@nist.gov

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Surface Characterization and Modification

The Surface Characterization and Modification Special Interest Group emphasizes two major research topics: 1) improving understanding of biomaterial surface structure and its relationship to biological performance, and 2) developing surface modification strategies for biomaterials. Some research areas that fall under these topics include spectroscopic, microscopic, and biochemical surface characterization, thin film deposition; chemical and ion surface modification; lubrication, passivation/corrosion, and biological films; and quality assurance of device surfaces. This Special Interest Group will be active in arranging workshops, symposia, and Annual Meeting sessions for the Society. Through these venues the Special Interest Group will provide a forum for exchange of ideas, methods, and expertise in surface characterization and modification.

Chair: Lara Gamble, PhD
University of Washington
Dept of Bioengineering
PO Box 351750
Seattle, WA  98195-1750
t: (206) 616-4173
e: gamble@nb.engr.washington.edu

Vice-Chair: Peter Edelman, PhD
Boston Scientific
Dept of MTAC
One Scimed Place
Maple Grove, MN  55311
t: (763) 255-0282
f: (763) 322-5048
e: peter.edelman@bsci.com

Secretary/Treasurer: Jeffrey Schwartz
W L Gore & Associates
3250 W Kiltie Ln
PO Box 2400
Flagstaff, AZ  86003-2400
t: (928) 864-3241
f: (928) 864-4226
e: jlschwar1999@yahoo.com

Program Chair: Khalid Kader, PhD
University of Iowa
Dept of Biomedical Engineering
1402 Seamans Ctr
Iowa City, IA  52242-1527
t: (319) 335-6096
f: (319) 335-5631
e: kkader@engineering.uiowa.edu

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Tissue Engineering

Mission Statement:

TE SIG is a forum to exchange information, further knowledge, and promote greater awareness regarding all aspects of the use of biomaterials to engineering tissue substitutes or to promote tissue regeneration. Of primary interest and relevance to TE SIG is the use of appropriate materials (synthetic and natural) with cells (either native or from a donor source) and/or biological response modifiers (e.g., growth factors, cytokines and other recombinant products) to replace tissue and organ functions. Particular emphasis is placed on the development of materials to better incorporate, protect, and deliver both the cells and biological response modifiers to help promote the healing and regenerative processes. The group is committed to forging interactions among basic scientists, applied scientists, engineers, clinicians, industrial members, professional societies in related fields, and regulatory groups in its efforts to expand and effectively utilize the shared knowledge base in this multidisciplinary field.

Objectives:

  1. Provide forums for presentations and exchange of knowledge at SFB through sponsoring symposia and sessions.
  2. Publicize activities in the Biomaterials Forum
  3. Forging interactions among basic scientists, applied scientists, engineers, clinicians, industrial members, professional societies in related fields, and regulatory groups in its efforts to expand and effectively utilize the shared knowledge base in this multidisciplinary field.
  4. Establish stronger interactions with members in the SIG, other SIGs, and other professional societies.

    Chair: Rui Reis, PhD
    University of Minho
    Dept of Polymer Engineering
    3B's Research Group
    Campus de Gualtar
    Braga 4710-057
    Portugal
    t: 351-253-604-782
    f: 351-253-604-492
    e: rgreis@dep.uminho.pt

    Vice Chair: Jan Stegeman
    Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Dept of Biomedical Engineering
    Biotech-BMED, 110 8th St
    Troy, NY  12180-3590
    t:  (518) 276-6962
    f:  (518) 276-3035
    e:  stegemann@rpi.edu

    Secretary/Treasurer: John P. Fisher, PhD
    University of Maryland
    Fischell Dept Of Bioengineering
    Jeong H. Kim Engineering Bldg (225)
    Room 2328
    College Park, MD  20742
    t: (301) 405-7475
    f: (301) 405-0523
    e: jpfisher@umd.edu

    Program Chair: Eben Alsberg, PhD
    Case Western Reserve University
    Dept Of Biomedical Engineering
    10900 Euclid Ave
    Wickenden Room 204
    Cleveland, OH  44106
    t: (216) 368-6425
    f: (216)368-4969
    e: Eben.alsberg@case.edu

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