Ingenuity and collaboration take centre stage at Biomedical Engineering Research Day 2025

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10 months ago

Ingenuity and collaboration take centre stage at Biomedical Engineering Research Day 2025

From bone biomechanics to bionic tech, this year’s Biomedical Engineering Research Day, hosted by the Department of Biomedical Engineering, brought together brilliant minds to share bold ideas. On May 9, students, faculty and industry professionals gathered for an inspiring day of discovery, dialogue and celebration.

The event opened with remarks from Svetlana Komarova, department chair, and Ivan Fair, vice dean of the Faculty of Engineering, who set an inspiring tone for a day of interdisciplinary exchange.

“Our research day was an incredible showcase of how engineering can unlock new possibilities in biology and medicine,” said Komarova. “It was exciting to see such broad participation from across faculties — proof that when we bring diverse minds together, we get a glimpse of the future of health care.”

That spirit of connection and inspiration was felt by student and poster award winner Abbi Oguchi, too:

“Presenting my poster at the Biomedical Engineering Research Day was an incredibly positive experience that deepened my excitement for the field. It was a joy to connect with others and to learn about the current research happening within Edmonton.”

Research Day at a glance

Biomechanics

Lindsey Westover, associate professor in Biomedical Engineering, kicked off the Biomechanics session with a keynote on computational and experimental approaches in orthopedic research. Student presentations explored everything from bone-anchored implant integration to markerless motion capture and human trunk function during real-world tasks.

Imaging

Roger Zemp, associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, inspired the audience with a presentation on the new frontiers for ultrasound imaging. Student researchers presented breakthroughs in imaging techniques and their applications in diverse health conditions.

Precision Health Design

Andrew Martin, director of the Aerosol Research Lab, headlined this session with a talk on medical device design and drug delivery systems. Students shared innovative work in device development and health tech applications.

Bionics and Bio-Robotics

The final session spotlighted innovations in bionics and assistive technology. Vivian Mushahwar, professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Department of Medicine, highlighted how novel approaches like smart textiles can improve function after neural injury or disease. Student researchers presented advancements in the design of bionic systems that interface directly with the human body.

Industry Panel & Networking

A midday industry panel sparked engaging discussions about bridging academic research and commercial applications, and a networking lunch provided space for attendees to exchange ideas with others from a diverse range of research specialties and industries.

Poster Session

The afternoon featured a student poster session, which showcased a broad spectrum of research across biomedical engineering and received plenty of peer and faculty engagement.

The day concluded with awards for outstanding presentations and a networking reception, leaving participants energized about the future of biomedical engineering.

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