The ninth annual World Biomaterials Congress took place in Chengdu, China, June 1–5. Various Department of Biomedical Engineering faculty attended the conference, which takes place once every four years to bring together leaders in biomaterials science and engineering from across the world to discuss advancements in biomaterials, surgical implants, prosthetics, artificial organs, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.

Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) faculty Professor Nicholas A. Peppas and Professor Laura Suggs attended as well as Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School Ali Khademhosseini, who is an adjunct professor with the BME Department.

Professor Peppas gave a plenary lecture on Intelligent Biomaterials for Medical Devices with Molecular Recognition Capabilities. He also spoke on the future of biomaterials and the need for convergence in the field. Peppas said the future of biomaterials will incorporate professionals in business and law in addition to biomaterials scientists and biologists. The field is becoming more interdisciplinary.

During the congress, BME faculty were recognized for leadership in the field of biomaterials. Peppas was selected as an Honorary Professor of Sichuan University and was reelected to another four-year term as Chair of the International Union of Societies for Biomaterials Science and Engineering (IUSBSE). Additionally, Professor Christine Schmidt was elected a Fellow of Biomaterials Science and Engineering (FBSE).

Read more coverage from the China Daily (June 3, June 5).

The Department of Biomedical Engineering conducts biomaterials research under the leadership and guidance of Professors Nicholas Peppas, Krishnendu Roy, Christine Schmidt, Jeanne Stachowiak, and Laura Suggs. Nearly 100 biomedical engineering students participate in biomaterials research.