Fischell Department of Bioengineering to Host 7th Fischell Festival

Fischell Festival

On Thursday, October 24^th, the A. James Clark School of Engineering's Fischell Department of Bioengineering (BioE) will host its annual Fischell Festival. The event, which will run from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., is free and open to the public.

Now in its seventh year, the Festival, named in honor of BioE benefactor and biomedical device inventor Dr. Robert E. Fischell (M.S. '53, physics), celebrates bioengineering's potential to improve the lives of millions of people around the world. Special guests, current students and faculty share the latest research, innovations and trends expected to shape the future of healthcare. This year's scheduled speakers and activities include:

The introduction of the 2013 Fischell Fellow;

A Keynote Address by Dr. Robert E. Fischell;

A presentation by BioE professor Yu Chen and MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute surgeon Dr. Jennifer E. Verbesey, who will discuss their use of new bioimaging techniques to improve the success rate of organ transplants;

Demonstrations of biomedical devices used to prevent injuries and in physical therapy by Department of Mechanical Engineering professor Kenneth Kiger and Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center robotics engineer Dr. Anindo Roy;

A poster session; and

"The da Vinci and Beyond: The Advancement of Surgical Robotics," A Whiting-Turner Business and Entrepreneurial Lecture presented by Dr. Simon DiMaio of Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

Also this year, BioE's student chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society will host a special parallel program for invited students from area high schools, featuring speakers, tours and information about majoring and choosing careers in bioengineering.

Visit fischellfestival.umd.edu to learn more about the event and how to register. The site also features photos, videos and recaps from past Festivals.

The Fischell Festival is now part of the A. James Clark School of Engineering's Mpact Week, a series of signature events showcasing the best research from our faculty, students and colleagues. You'll find common themes throughout, such as entrepreneurship, robotics, and human health. To learn more, visit eng.umd.edu/mpact.

Published October 1, 2013