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THE BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING INSTITUTE IS EVOLVING
We want to make you aware of some of the exciting changes in biomedical engineering. The University of Minnesota Medical School and Institute of Technology have decided to jointly establish the “ Institute for Engineering in Medicine”, which will unite the engineering and health sciences professionals, enhance their research, and strengthen the University's relationship with the Biomedical Engineering Industry.
Q: What is the Institute for Engineering in Medicine?
A: The Institute for Engineering in Medicine (IEM) represents the evolution of the Biomedical Engineering Institute (BMEI), an interdisciplinary research organization uniting engineering and health sciences faculty and counterparts in the community to create new medical devices, solve clinical problems, and promote collaboration with industry. The IEM will serve as an umbrella organization that will connect and amplify research efforts between the medical biosciences and the various engineering departments and the physical sciences, while strengthening relationships with the biomedical engineering industry.
Q. What is the significance of this evolution?
A. The ever expanding field of engineering, along with the University's growing commitment to supporting high level collaborative biomedical engineering research has proven it necessary to establish the Institute for Engineering in Medicine. The IEM will foster interdisciplinary research among faculty in the health science and engineering fields by developing mechanisms to engage these groups toward success.
Q: Where is the IEM Located on Campus?
A: Similar to the BMEI, the IEM is a virtual institute comprised of faculty from the Institute of Technology and Medical School Faculty will be housed in their academic departments. The IEM will have the research laboratory space previously assigned to the BMEI in Nils Hasslemo Hall. THE IEM staff will be located in the Mayo Memorial Building.
Q. Who is part of the IEM?
A. The IEM will be under the direction of current BMEI Director Jeffrey McCullough, M.D. The director will report to both Medical School Dean Deborah Powell, M.D., and Institute of Technology Dean Steven Crouch, Ph.D. Members of the IEM will include U of M faculty in the engineering and health sciences. Additionally, the IEM will rely upon its industry advisory board members to provide recommendations, direction and expertise.
Q. Is this part of the Department of Biomedical Engineering?
A. No. The Department of Biomedical Engineering is an academic unit of the Institute of Technology which administers biomedical engineering degree programs at all levels (established Master's and Doctoral programs and a new Bachelor's program). The IEM is an interdisciplinary research organization that provides support to U of M health sciences and engineering professional and their research.
Q. What is the Medical Devices Center?
A. The Medical Devices Center is a new interdisciplinary program that will sit within the IEM. The Center will have a combined mission of basic research, applied and translational research, education and training, and outreach and public engagement all related to medical devices.
Q. When will this happen?
A. It's happening now. We are committed to communicating this information to all of our constituents in a timely, accurate and informative manner. Visit our website www.iem.umn.edu to stay informed of these exciting changes. Or email iem@umn.edu to request an update.
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