The latest addition to the engineering societies at the University of Arkansas College of Engineering is the local chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society. This group provides biomedical engineering students with resources and opportunities in the biomedical field and a chance to connect to others within the department.
The group formed so recently (Fall semester 2010) that only last week, officers met to complete the Associated Student Government paperwork to officially become a registered student organization. Dr. Zaharoff, professor of biomedical engineering, was the key figure in scoping the department for interest and coordinating preliminary stages of the group.
“It’s a place where younger students can learn about opportunities through older students, about REUs and internships,” said Abby Washispack, BMES President. “It’s what freshmen are looking for. At BMES, you make strong connections, it’s very useful so they know where to go.”
All engineers with an interest in biomedical engineering are welcome to the group, which has meetings once a month. Washispack encourages freshmen to attend meetings, even before declaring a major.
“We’re mostly about campus awareness, because people don’t know we’re here,” she said, referring to the newness of the University of Arkansas biomedical engineering department.
“It’s for us to have a voice…and gives credibility to our work,” she said. “Everyone knows what the national BMES is, so (that gives us a good name).”
Membership
“If you want to officially be a part of the national society, there are dues, mostly for conferences, resume help and availability of resources and articles,” she said. “BEMS provides connections to employers, professors and forums.”
National BMES Conferences are in the fall and President Washispack would like to send a couple of officers to the next one, which is in October.
“Attending the BMES National Conference should be an exciting opportunity for me to see what the current trends in the field are so I keep abreast of the latest issues and developments,” said Saumil Shah, BMES Treasurer.
The group currently has about 20 members and 10 freshmen with a strong interest in it. BMES officers are in suspense, awaiting the results of Decision Day, when freshmen declare a major and new Biomedical students will join the seasoned Biomedical students socially and professionally through this society.
If you’re an incoming freshman and have not chosen a major, Washispack suggested, “Come to meeting even before you pick your major. Talk to upperclassmen, talk to professors early.
“Dr. Zaharoff has been especially helpful to me, to help me figure out where I’m going and how to get there,” she said. “The faculty here want to help you succeed.”
Activities
BMES is still in preliminary stages, so events are limited.
“We’ll have fundraising in the future and more events once we’re officially an RSO and have ASG funding,” Washispack said.
The last major event until Fall semester is a Membership Drive on April 21.
“We will be having a membership drive…there will be pizza and drinks. We'll be talking about our goals for the remainder of the semester and next year.”
BMES works closely with the Ecological Engineering Society and the Biological Engineering Society, which has a lot of overlap in students, mostly upperclassmen.
“Last semester, we helped an elementary Lego robot competition at Turnbow Elementary in Springdale for their Bio Medical Day,” she said.
Officers
This year’s Biomedical Engineering Society officers are Abby Washispack, President; Jimmy Vo, Vice President; Katelin Cherry, Secretary; Saumil Shah, Treasurer.
Dr. Zaharoff will decide initial leadership responsibilities for the society. In the future, other professors will present lectures on research to BMES.
“I was interested in BMES…to learn more about the field of study I am most interested in,” Treasurer Shah said. “It provides me with the opportunity to network with my peers and professors and build professional relationships.”
Shah keeps track group finances, including fundraising, event cost and ASG funding process.
He particularly values the “access to the BMES Career Centre, another privilege that comes with membership in the society,” he said, which provides a solution to the challenge of job searching.
“Through the Career Centre I have more access to internships and Co-ops around the country,” he said.
For Jimmy Vo, BMES Vice President, “My experience with BMES so far has been a learning one,” because he has been an officer for other student organizations, but this is his first time as a founding officer.
“This brings challenges in creating student awareness, but with biomedical engineering being one of the fastest growing engineering disciplines, students are coming to us,” he said. “We are also developing ties with biomedical companies, to create a network of potential employers for graduating students.
Vo sees a lot of potential in the Biomedical Engineering Society.
“These tasks…will require time and patience, but I have high hopes for BMES and look forward to seeing it become a stepping stone for biomedical engineering at the University of Arkansas.
Katelin Cherry, BMES Secretary, became a member this semester. She became secretary because she wanted to broaden perspective of the Biomedical Engineering Program and students at the University of Arkansas.
“I'm excited to see BMES at the University of Arkansas become involved with the national chapter,” she said. “I hope by being secretary, I can work to promote them.”
Contact Us:
The Biomedical Engineering Society Facebook page and website are not currently activated. To reach the president, email Washispack at awashisp@uark.edu, or Dr. Zaharoff, zaharoff@uark.edu.
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