BIOMEDS PURPOSE

Provide students a platform from which they can critically discuss and learn about the myriad of bioengineering research areas staying current with an ever changing biomedical landscape. Provide opportunities to give back to the community through education outreach focused in science and mathematics. Encourage students to foster a sense of pride and accomplishment in their major as well as their institution.

The Critical Thinker

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Research Spotlight: Printing a Cure?

By: Kayla Gainey My name is Kayla Gainey, and I am a senior Bioengineering major with a Bioelectrical concentration. I joined the Engineering World Health Creative Inquiry, led by Dr. Dean and Dr. DesJardins, in May of 2012. I took over a project that aims to design a low-cost glucometer for use in developing countries. This novel system operates with test strips that can be printed from standard ink jet printers. Most developing countries depend on outside sources for donated supplies because medical supplies are not produced in the country. This is a problem for treatment of diabetes because each glucometer is only compatible with one type of test strip. Since they are rarely donated in matching pairs, developing countries do not have options for treating patients with diabetes. Our system would fit into the current infrastructure in and allow for on site production. The research began with the meter itself. It uses photodiodes, green LEDs, and a Logarithmic amplifier to calculate an absorbance reading. This value can be used to calculate glucose concentration based on a standard curve. Before the reading can be taken, a suitable strip is needed. So far, we have investigated a variety of paper types, enzyme concentrations, and strip shapes. We have concluded that coffee filter paper has the proper properties, but it needs a contact paper backing for stability. We decided on a thin rectangle strip shape with one side as a control and an experimental side. Glucose oxidase was the enzyme used to quantify the

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Research Spotlight Studying Abroad with BioE? Upcoming Deadlines

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amount of glucose by a color changing reaction, and was not printed on the control side. This provides a baseline reading that ensures the absorbance is based solely on the glucose concentration rather than the color of blood or paper. Further research into enzyme concentrations and printing methods is needed, but the design is well grounded. We hope to take a trip to Tanzania this summer, where we have a partnership with a few hospitals, to further investigate their needs and possibly test our glucometer.

BMES Annual 2 Meeting: Atlanta Semester in Singapore

Service with the BioMeds

Fall 2012 started the second year of increasingly popular BioMEDS mentoring program. This year, we have twenty-two people involved in the mentor program, organized into eight mentor groups. CBS, the Graduate Biomedical Engineering Society has collaborated with us this year, mentoring both sophomores and seniors. We hope this added level of mentorship helps freshmen assist juniors with deciding what they have an idea of what to expect want to do after graduation. The mentor groups are expected to meet once in their undergraduate years a month and check-in via phone or and beyond. The seniors are provided with a mentor to help email twice a month. We also host them with job, graduate school, mentoring get-togethers where we talk about classes, goals, and academic opor medical school applicaportunities. If you are interested in tions. The graduate students learn valuable lessons in men- being involved with the program, please contact Harleigh Warner torship, leadership, and time (hwarner@clemson.edu). We are esmanagement. We also have pecially looking for more sophomores! included Junior/Graduate student mentorship groups to

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Upcoming Events

Resume Workshop Conducted by Dr. Duckworth Jan. 16th, 7 PM , Rhodes 111 If you already have a resume or are currently working on brushing your resume up, this workshop is a must. Its a great way to prepare for the Career Fair in February, and make sure youre ready to market yourself as a bioengineer. Career Panel April 2013 Clemson bioengineering alumni and other industry professionals will be here to answer your questions. This event is a great way to network and learn more about the current opportunities within the field. Fundraising Bojangles In the spring, the BioMeds will be holding a Bojangles fundraising event. Make sure you tell your friends and come support our organization!

Studying Abroad with BioE

Have you ever considered studying abroad for a semester or summer? Not only is studying abroad an incredible experience, its also one of the best ways to distinguish yourself as a bioengineer to potential employers by showing them that you have an understanding of cultural and social diversity. Traditional study abroad programs may not offer classes for engineers; however, the bioengineering department has done a great job of creating programs specifically tailored to the BioE curriculum. Heres a quick recap of whats offeredif youre interested in any of the programs, email the organizing professor. Spots fill up quickly, so it pays to plan ahead! Read the recap of student's experience in Singapore on the next page.

Singapore Nanyang Technological University International Internship in Bioengineering (BioE469). 8-10 weeks Dr. Alexis/ Dr. Dejardins Pamplona, Spain Pamplona Learning Spanish Institute International Perspectives in Bioethics Spanish Culture/International Studies Dr. Dejardins Tokyo, Japan 8-10 week research program Dr. Nagatomi

BMES Annual Meeting: Atlanta

Poster presentations at this years BMES conference.
Every year, the Biomedical Engineering Society, or BMES, holds a national conference that took place in Atlanta this year. The purpose of this meeting is twofold; it functions both to facilitate the dissemination of current and cutting edge research and to provide attendees with opportunities to network and connect with other prominent members of the field. I attended the BMES conference for the first time this year as a sophomore, and it was an amazing experience. I got to learn about so many different aspects of current bioengineering research, from preliminary studies to clinical trials. Although I highly recommend going at least once, the conference itself is overwhelming if you are not prepared. The poster presentation area is very informative, but make sure to schedule your day around the talks you want to see. There are hundreds of speakers and presenters, so whatever you are interested in learning about, you can be sure someone's talking about it!

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A Semester in Singapore
From early January through the end of July 2012, sixteen Clemson University bioengineering students traveled nearly 10,000 miles to study and conduct research at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. Scott Cole, Tucker Quirk, Even Skjervold, Kevin Lybrand, Casey Shumberger, Kathy Parker, Cheryl Jennings, Kali Luffy, and Bria Dawson had an amazing and unique semester in Singapore, and would like to share it with the rest of Clemsons Bioengineering community. The small city-state in Southeast Asia is a center for globalization, and students jumped at the chance to experience the atypical at a world class institution. It was an entirely different world offering numerous opportunities said Tucker Quirk, a senior bioengineering undergraduate. Students studied abroad throughout the spring semester, while others worked in an 8week research internship. Living in Singapore, students worked with an international community of scientists and professionals, visited numerous countries, experienced new cultures, all while making friends and contacts. Students who studied abroad in the spring completed a variety of core bioengineering requirements while enjoying Singapore life and visiting a collective nine other countries. By attending an entirely foreign school and being part of an international exchange program consisting of predominantly Europeans, it was easy to make friends and explore, said Quirk. The nine students that attended NTU in the summer engaged in research in the advanced Materials Science and Engineering labs. They each worked on biomaterials related projects including periorbital drug delivery, incorporation of gold nanorods in polymer films, and synthesis of biodegradable elastomers for drug delivery applications. In addition to their research, the students also participated in Mandarin Chinese and Malay cooking classes. Singapores beautiful downtown is unlike any city in the United States; a true melting pot, that embraces diversity, evident in both attitude and architecture. Spotless streets are lined with corporate offices, modern technology firms, investment banking skyscrapers, worldclass malls, and an assortment of restaurants . Singapores culture and way of life is similarly diverse, although English is commonplace. The nightlife at Clark Quays and Boat Quays as well as Sentosa Island was pricy but always a ton of fun. During the day there was also plenty to explore around the city including Chinatown, the many hawker food centers, and on a nice hot day the Marina bay sands, which is perched nicely on the 57th floor. Independent travel was also encouraged; Quirk summed up, In short, of all experiences abroad, I will never forget the experiences and perspectives gained traveling through Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Nepal, and India. A special thanks to Dr. Frank Alexis for his effort and encouragement, it was an experience of a lifetime for all of the students involved.

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Your 2012-2013 Officers

President:

Medha Vyavahare
Service Chair:

Sarah Roberts
Networking Chair

Allison Kennamer Contact Info

301 Rhodes Research Center Clemson, SC 29634-0905 Vice President:

Satyam Patel
Fundraising Chair:

Harleigh Warner
Treasurer:

AJ Zandecki

Scott Cole
E-mail: biomeds@clemson.edu Secretary:

Margarita Portilla
Social Chair:

Andrew Nisbet
Newsletter Chair:

BioMeds Fall 2012 Christmas Party