Biomedical symposium features research on cancer, retinal diseases and more

The second annual symposium features undergraduate and graduate presentations.

BME_symposium_sThe University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) will host the second annual Biomedical Engineering Research Symposium Mar. 28-29, 2013. Biomedical Engineering (BME) undergraduate and graduate students will make presentations about their research. They are building machines to mimic breast cancer tumors to aid in testing new anti-cancer drugs and developing high-resolution imaging to detect early signs of retinal diseases, as well as using nanomaterial to improve biocompatibility of cardiovascular devices like stents, vascular grafts and heart valves.

The event will begin with student poster presentations at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 28, the UAB Alumni House, 1301 10th Ave. South. Day two begins at 8 a.m. Friday, March 29, in the UAB Hill University Center Alumni Auditorium, 1400 University Boulevard, and it includes three sessions of oral presentations.

Robert Crutchfield, partner of Harbert Venture Partners and President-elect of the Southeastern Medical Device Association, will be Friday’s keynote speaker. Crutchfield has launched five successful new business ventures and provided executive leadership to companies such as the U.S. Oncology Network, Cardinal Health and Surgical Innovations and Services, Inc.