January 2016 World Leaders in Biomedical Engineering Deliver Keynote Lectures at NUI Galway Conference

Two world leaders in the field of Biomedical Engineering, Professor Elazer Edelman, M.I.T and Harvard Medical School, USA, and Professor Gerhard Holzapfel, Technical University of Graz, Austria, delivered Keynote Lectures at the 22nd Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, which was recently hosted by NUI Galway.

In their inspirational lectures both speakers illustrated how their research teams have combined engineering analysis and computer modelling with biological investigation to transform the current understanding and treatment of heart disease. Both speakers also praised the internationally leading quality of biomedical engineering research in Irish universities, while also remarking positively on the vibrancy of the Irish medical device sector.

Conference Chair, Dr Patrick McGarry from Biomedical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Informatics at NUI Galway stated: “This year’s conference attracted a record 250 delegates from across all leading Irish research groups in the field of Biomedical Engineering Science, with a record 185 scientific presentations. Several medical device companies actively participated in the conference, further highlighting the strong interaction between Irish research institutes and the medical technology sector.”

A highlight from the event was the presentation of the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland Bioengineering Section Silver Medal to Professor Timothy O’Brien, Dean of the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, and Director of the Regenerative Medicine Institute, at NUI Galway. In his keynote lecture Professor O’Brien described the ground-breaking development of Ireland’s first Centre for Cell Manufacturing in Ireland (CCMI) a centre located at NUI Galway manufacturing culture-expanded stem cells for clinical trials.

The Conference took place at the Salthill Hotel, Galway and was sponsored by Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Aerogen, Hollister, Stryker, DePuy, Zwick, CadFem, Neuravi, and the Irish Medical Devices Association.

To learn more about the Conference programme visit: http://bini2016.ie/

ENDS