Colorado State University Hosting 2004 Rocky Mountain Bioengineering Symposium

Note to Editors: Media are invited to attend all sessions of the symposium. Please call Brad Bohlander at (970) 491-1545 for attendance information.

Colorado State University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering Program is hosting the 41st Rocky Mountain Bioengineering Symposium beginning today, April 23, and running through April 25.

The international symposium, held at the University Park Holiday Inn, 425 W. Prospect Road in Fort Collins, is addressing innovative applications of engineering principles to biology and medicine. This year’s discussion topics include genomics, artificial hearts, human anatomy 3-D imaging and numerous biomedical, biomaterial and biomechanics research presentations.

Several experts featured at the symposium will present talks and panel discussions on genomic discovery of osteoprotegerin, the center for human simulation and the evolution of mechanical circulatory support. A poster session additionally will feature spotlight sessions on individual presenters and will be displayed throughout the conference.   

This year’s symposium kicks off a new mentor program for all students attending the conference. Students are able to participate in a mentor panel discussion followed by an informal networking hour. The RMBS mentor services provide an opportunity for students to contact professionals throughout the year to help with career choice decisions. The conference also will host tours of Colorado State bioengineering and biosciences research laboratories.

An awards banquet Saturday evening will feature student presenters receiving awards and cash prizes and a motivational talk about biomedical engineering and education by Colorado State professor of civil engineering, Paul Heyliger.    

The Rocky Mountain Bioengineering Symposium was formed 42 years ago to address the application of engineering principles to biology and medicine. The symposium originally was comprised of educators, physicians, entrepreneurs, scientists and engineers from the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The conference presently draws national and international investigators.

The full conference program is available online at www.rmbs.org. For more information, contact conference co-chair, Sue James, at (970) 491-2842. Harry Valenta of Biomedical Research Associates (www.bra-llc.com) is the other conference co-chair.

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