The 4th annual Southeast Regional Biomaterials Day, hosted by Clemson University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and Vanderbilt University, took place November 8-9, 2018, in Clemson, SC. According to Meredith Owen, PhD student and president of Clemson Bioengineering Society (CBS), “The mission of Biomaterials Day is to foster and promote the development of biomaterials research and innovation and to advocate for increased entrepreneurial ventures and collaborations between universities and industries across the southeastern US.” The two-day event, held at Clemson’s Madren Center, provided a forum for students, leading researchers, and industry representatives to meet and exchange ideas that promote innovation in biomaterials synthesis, application, and evaluation.
The event’s Friday morning session featured student and faculty talks focused on cutting edge research in the field of biomaterials. The afternoon session focused on presentations about translational research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. A keynote address was given to start the afternoon session, and a poster session and reception closed the conference. Session topics included mechanics in biomaterials, regenerative tissue engineering, entrepreneurship, and industry collaborations. Students from colleges and universities in the southeast submitted abstracts for consideration for either a podium talk or poster presentation.
Owen said, “This year we were honored and excited to have Dr. Karen Burg and Dr. Alan Alfano as keynote speakers. Dr. Burg is the Harbor Lights Endowed Chair in the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the University of Georgia and Professor Emerita of Clemson University. Her keynote was on the establishment and development of research and innovation in the southeastern US.” While at Clemson, Dr. Burg established the SC Institute for Biological Interfaces for Engineering and served as the university’s interim vice provost for research and innovation. Her current research interests include absorbable polymers, biofabrication, regenerative engineering, science and engineering education, and 3D tissue structures. Cody Dunton, chair of the Biomaterials Day Planning Committee, added, “We were thrilled to have Dr. Burg deliver the keynote address. Her experience in the field of biomaterials and research innovation is a wonderful resource that I hope students in attendance can learn from and take back to their respective universities.”
Dr. Alfano, who delivered a keynote on entrepreneurship and the process of translating academic research to market, is a Technology Commercialization Officer (TCO) at the Clemson University Research Foundation (CURF), where he aids in the process of moving innovative biotechnologies from the laboratory to commercial markets. His background in benchtop research and his biotech business experience afford him unique insight into the southeast’s entrepreneurial climate.
Dunton continued, “We enjoyed hosting the Southeast Regional Biomaterials Day this year in Clemson, SC. It was exciting to see the biomaterials research being conducted by our peers! This conference has a reputation for providing a unique forum for trainees from various southeastern universities to cultivate relationships that last into their professional lives.”
Wrapping up their comments, Owen said, “Sponsors of the 2018 Southeast Regional Biomaterials Day, including the Society for Biomaterials and the Clemson University Bioengineering Department, generously provided funding and other support for this year’s event. We look forward to the Day’s continued success. For more information regarding the event, please visit clemsonbiomaterialsday.com.”
