Recently, the efforts of several McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine affiliated faculty 
members were the subject of news highlighting their most recent endeavors, achievements, and honors. Congratulations are extended to each of them. A brief summary of them (in alphabetical order) and their accomplishments follows:
Eric Beckman, PhD, the George M. Bevier professor of engineering and co-director of the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation within the University of Pittsburgh’s Swanson School of Engineering, has won an Edison Awards 2013 Gold Medal in the category of Surgical Aids for his work with TissuGlu® Surgical Adhesive—a product established from core technology developed at the University of Pittsburgh. The award, which recognizes excellence in new product and service development, marketing, and design and innovation, was announced April 26.
Dr. Beckman is cofounder of and equity holder in Cohera Medical, the developer of TissuGlu®—a product designed to reduce the need for surgical drains in plastic surgery procedures. It is resorbable, biocompatible for internal use, and forms a strong bond between tissues. Dr. Beckman’s research encompasses two major areas: (1) the use of carbon dioxide as either a solvent or a raw material and (2) polymer chemistry and processing.
Read more: News of Note From Pitt
Michael Boninger, MD, professor and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Endowed Chair in Pitt’s School of Medicine and director of the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, described advances in assistive technologies in his presentation, “And the Winner Is … Reflections on Assistive Technology,” a part of the Provost’s Inaugural Lecture Series. In his presentation, he said now he believes physiatry, or rehabilitation medicine, is “the greatest branch of medicine” because it allows physicians to restore functional ability and quality of life.
Read more: University Times
Steven Little, PhD, chair of the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, associate professor, and Bicentennial Alumni Faculty Fellow of the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, was named the Society for Biomaterials Special Interest Group Representative, a 2-year appointment. The Society’s Special Interest Groups provide a forum for networking and new ideas within a focused environment. Previously, Dr. Little served as the chair of the Drug Delivery Special Interest Group. The Society for Biomaterials is a professional society which promotes advances in biomedical materials research and development by encouragement of cooperative educational programs, clinical applications, and professional standards in the biomaterials field.
David Vorp, PhD, associate dean for research, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, and the William Kepler Whiteford professor of bioengineering, with secondary appointments in the Departments of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh, was recently named the 2013-2014 chair of the Biomedical Engineering Division, American Society of Mechanical Engineers. ASME (founded as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers) promotes the art, science, and practice of multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences around the globe.
Yadong Wang, PhD, effective May 1, was named a professor in the Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Wang’s research focuses on creating biomaterials that present controlled chemical, physical, and mechanical signals to cells, tissues, and organs. The ultimate goal is to control how the human body interacts with these materials. He is especially interested in applications of biomaterials in the cardiovascular, nervous, and musculoskeletal systems.