Student activities around the world: IEEE EMBS UKRI student club features PGBIOMED 2009

One of the benefits of promoting the formation of IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology (EMBS) student associations around the world is to allow university trainees to engage with the global biomedical community at a local, national, and international scale. As part of our continuous efforts toward promoting student activities within EMBS, this column reflects on the experience of a successful EMBS Student Club from Europe [the IEEE EMBS United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (UKRI) Student Club] in hosting the fifth edition of a conference organized by students for students: the Postgraduate Conference on Biomedical Engineering and Medical Physics (PGBIOMED).     

Golden accomplishments in biomedical engineering

The 50th anniversary of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) is an appropriate time to look back at the origins and growth of both the field of biomedical engineering and the EMBS. The present account gives most attention to the aspects of biomedical engineering to which IEEE members (and, earlier, American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE) members and Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE) members) contributed, which is to say that this account emphasizes the electrical, electronic, and computing aspects of biomedical engineering. Topics covered include: history of the technologies; the roots of biomedical engineering; prehistory and history of the profession; biomedical applications of the computer; health care; ultrasound technology; new means of medical imaging; endoscopy, lasers, and fear of electromagnetic fields; study of human metabolism; the Human Genome Project, robotics, and internationalization; and forecasting progress in biomedical engineering.     

Retrospective: student events at EMBC'08 [Student's Corner]

The IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) reaches the community and its members every year, bringing together researchers, clinicians, industry representatives, and trainees from around the world. The 30th annual international conference of the EMBS was held at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre in Vancouver, Canada, on 20-24 August 2008. The 2008 edition of IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Conference (EMBC) gathered more than 1,600 biomedical engineers in beautiful downtown Vancouver for four exciting days of science, networking, and social interaction.     

From the Editor

I hope everyone has had a restful and productive summer. For me, this summer has been full of traveling around the world, and I still find it hard to believe that summer is coming to a close and another school year begins. I amsure that you will enjoy this issue on biomedical engineering in China from guest editor Bin He, who is also the IEEE Engineering inMedicine and Biology Society (EMBS) president-elect.     

We can make it better! [President's Message]

It is my great pleasure to write to you as the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) president while we are celebrating the 125th anniversary of the IEEE. The IEEE has had significant and lasting impact on engineering and related fields and has become one of the most influential professional societies in the world. Being a member society of the IEEE, the EMBS has played a significant and leadership role in the field of biomedical engineering. As the IEEE symbolizes technical excellence and societal impact, we should make every effort to maintain and enhance the quality and impact of what we are doing and what we plan to do.     

What's up in the regions? [Society News]

Four geographical representatives of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) Administrative Committee (AdCom) report on activities held in their regions. Stephen Davies (North America) reports on events in Canada. Kenji Sunagawa (Japan), Jyh Horng Chen (Taiwan), and Yong R. Yoon (Korea) refer to biomedical engineering (BME) activities in several countries of the Asia-Pacific region. Here is what they want to tell us.     

Foundations of innovation [President's Message]

This is my final column as the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) president. During the past years, I have had the opportunity to work with many EMBS members and to receive a variety of perspectives on what we do, what we should do, and what we could do differently. As you may guess, although some consensus exists, ourmembers have many different views on EMBS. We can profit from these perspectives and continue the task of improving our Society for the benefit of our members and the profession.     

President's Message

Over the past decade, the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) has expanded its international outreach in a number of areas. Almost half of the EMBS members now reside outside the United States. The international efforts of the EMBS can be seen in many of the activities summarized below.     

The dreaded question. . . [GOLD]

All good things must come to an end, including a thesis. After years of reading countless journal articles, scouring through textbooks, listening to hours of lectures, attending annual IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) conferences, meeting numerous clinicians, coding at all hours of the night, and dissecting draft after draft after written draft, there comes a time in every graduate student?s life when the thesis is ready for the print room. Engineering graduate students around the world spend years of their lives striving toward the goal of a finished thesis product, one which contributes novel ideas and techniques to the scientific community. However, upon reaching the pinnacle of their early careers, it is almost a certainty that every student will be faced with the dreaded question: "Now that you have finished your thesis, what's next?"     

EMBC 2009 at a glance. . . [Student's Corner]

Another year has gone by and while you are all enjoying summertime, keep in mind that every year, near the end of the summer, it's time for the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Conference (EMBC). This year, the 31st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) will be held 2-6 September 2009 at the Hilton Hotel in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, the world capital of the medical device industry. The meeting will bring together more than 2,000 of the world's experts in biomedical engineering, including academics, researchers, industrialists, clinicians, and trainees for five days of science, networking, and social events.     

Protection of the health care and public health critical infrastructure and key assets

I write these lines with mixed emotions. Our dearest friend Swamy is now with us only in spirit. I coedited past special issues of IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine with him, namely, "The New Face of Terrorism: Combating Bioterrorism with Biomedical Engineering" [1], a year after 9/11 (September/October 2002), and "Protecting the Homeland: The Many Facets of Homeland Security," January/February 2004 [2]. Therefore, I would like to dedicate this body of work to his memory. This special issue is also the last to be published under the guidance, and the tender love and care, of John Enderle, as the editor-in-chief of IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine. As an editor-in-chief, John Enderle provided an extraordinary service for the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) and IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine. As the editorial remarks in the 2004 issue reflect: "Editor-in-Chief John Enderle's foresight to keep our readers abreast of the current and upcoming developments and initiatives is a source of constant encouragement to the biomedical engineering community to take on a broader role in the continuing fight against terrorism." I take this opportunity to thank John for all the years of strong and visionary leadership and for the wonderful opportunities that he provided to bring forward before the EMBS community broader, meaningful, and highly relevant scholarly perspectives, which attempted to tackle the tough and persistent problems so evident in the times in which we live.     

EMBS GOLD and MGA GOLD---adding a new dimension [GOLD]

The Webinar series is one example where EMBS GOLD members benefit from the MGA GOLD resources. With the MGA GOLD network and our Society, we have great opportunities to help you realize your dreams, and I invite you to be a part of GOLD in EMBS and around the globe.     

Integrated biomedical engineering education using studio-based learning

Discovery-based learning in early biomedical engineering courses promotes the development of skills that are required in later courses and in professional practice. Studio learning is an alternative to the conventional lecture/recitation/laboratory format, and it is shown to encourage student inquiry and foster faculty and peer mentoring. This method also allows significant integration of foundational course materials that are essential for biomedical engineering while engaging students' interest in the field. This article discusses the application of studio-based learning to biomedical engineering using examples from New Jersey Institute of Technology's (NJIT) two introductory sophomore courses in biomedical engineering.     

Society News [let's welcome new IEEE Fellows]

Reviews the history of the Fellows grade and lists the 16 IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) members confirmed as IEEE Fellows effective 1 January 2008.     

Highlights [President's Message]

The year 2009 has been a productive year for the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS). We have accomplished a great deal in enhancing the quality of conferences and publications, owing to the tremendous efforts from our volunteers and staff. I take great pride in recognizing the achievements of our members. Across the globe, we are fortunate to have innumerable examples of significant progress. It is my pleasure to report to you the past year's highlights.     

Ensuring that biomedical engineers are ready for the real world

Discusses preparing biomedical engineering students for real-world problem solving by putting theory into practice in the curriculum. It is concluded that mechanisms for preparing biomedical engineering students for real-world problem solving are numerous. Failure to incorporate such real-world experiences throughout the curriculum creates frustration for the student, particularly for the freshman or sophomore undergraduate who lacks the experience to draw a connection between theory and practice. Upon graduation, the biomedical engineer is suddenly confronted with real-world problems and design challenges that require a team of experts, project planning and execution, regulatory and quality control, financial support, and a satisfied customer. Too often, graduates are unprepared for this transition to real-world engineering.     

Best of both worlds [Emerging Technologies]

Expanding on the experience gained at 2006 IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Conference (EMBC'06) in New York, the 30th IEEE Annual International Conference of the Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS), held on 24 August 2008, hosted the second Industry--Academia Partnership Roundtable. The panel that pioneered the EMBC'06 efforts, with members from academic and industry communities, debated topics related to the following: · reciprocal value that academia and industry can offer in medical device new product development · the basics of starting up your own company · clash of cultures (industry versus academia): what obstacles academicians may face in reaching entrepreneurship? · intellectual property (IP) joint development and sharing between industry and academia · quick tutorial on use of provisional patents. How are patents used by companies?     

Biomedical Engineering Course Development for Health Care Delivery

A new program of courses in biomedical engineering has been initiated at Michigan Technological University, both at the graduate and undergraduate level. The rationale for the development of these courses stems from the rapid growth in technology which has permeated almost all areas of health care delivery. The major goals of each course are described in terms of 1) establishing a required level of technical competence and literacy in the field, 2) developing those communication skills that will typically be required of the students after graduation, and 3) developing a sense of challenge which will last the students beyond their formative years. The philosophy underlying the choice of topical content, course organization, and student evaluation are all considered within the broader framework of establishing a modern foundation which the student, as well as the industrial and clinical community, can readily appreciate and identify with.     

Online visibility: EMBS gets e-savvy [Student Activities]

I came across an e-newsletter from the British Museum last week advertising free delivery when you spend more than ￡100 on British Museum sculptures and replicas. Inasmuch as my small flat in London could use a bust replica of an Egyptian noble woman or a Rosetta Stone coffee mug, it was the ending of the newsletter that caught my eye in particular. To help others find this newsletter, the British Museum has conveniently provided links to ten networking Web sites (some of which I have never heard of): Digg It!, Del.ico.us, Newsvine, Reddit, StumbleUpon, Facebook, Google, Twitter, Myspace, LinkedIn. The British Museum is e-savvy. I started to think about the IEEE and the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS), and I thought I would share some of our own proud e-achievements and current endeavors that we have come a long way over the past several years.     

University-industry partnerships in biomedical engineering

We describe the activities that are vital to establishing and maintaining a thriving cooperative education and industrial internship program. In addition, we describe the benefits of such a program for not only the students but for the industrial partners and for the university. Student participants work as engineering professionals, gain valuable engineering and business experience, apply engineering concepts to real-world problems, and tend to be more focused on their career choices after participating in a co-op or internship opportunity. There are also multiple benefits to the industrial partner. Employers have the opportunity to train potential long-term employees; capture the attention of motivated, talented biomedical engineers; obtain visibility at the university; and ultimately lower their turnover and training costs. Students can also provide a fresh perspective and can be motivators contributing to the growth of the employers' organization. Finally, the academic department benefits from industrial partnerships through increased student satisfaction, improved student training, novel education programs, job placement for graduates, and research collaborations.