Office Hours

Math, Models, and the Future of Cancer Research – A Conversation with Dr. Stacey Finley

In this episode of Office Hours with Liz Wayne, Liz talks with Stacey Finley, PhD, Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Quantitative and Computational Biology and the Nicole A. and Thuan Q. Pham Professor at the University of Southern California, about how computational and mathematical modeling helps researchers understand complex biological systems, predict treatment outcomes, and explore new approaches to cancer research. Finley breaks down agent-based modeling and shares how her lab uses these tools to study HER2-positive breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and the role a tumor’s local microenvironment plays in treatment response. Liz and Stacey also discuss the importance of strong collaboration between modelers and experimental researchers, how AI and machine learning complement mathematical modeling, and why curiosity and creativity are just as important as coding skills for the next generation of computational researchers. Connect with Us: Follow BMES on social media for more conversations like this: Twitter/X: @BMESociety Instagram: @Bmesociety Facebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) LinkedIn: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Website: www.bmes.org Links to Dr. Stacey Finley's Work: Computational Systems Biology Laboratory Follow Dr. Stacey Finley: Linkedin: @StaceyFinley Music Credit: “Vlog Music Beat Trailer Showreel Promo Background Intro Theme” by Coma-Media via Pixabay https://pixabay.com/music/beats-vlog-music-beat-trailer-showreel-promo-background-intro-theme-274290/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Office Hours with Liz Wayne wherever you get your podcasts.

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Beyond the Lab: Leadership, Mentorship and Student Advocacy – A Conversation with Amal Shabazz

In this episode of Office Hours with Liz Wayne, Liz chats with Amal Shabazz, Ph.D. candidate and National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow in Bioengineering at the University of Maryland, College Park. Amal discusses her research using 3D printing to develop nipple tissue for breast reconstruction, her journey to graduate school, and the mentorship that shaped her path. She also shares advice on balancing research, leadership, and advocacy, setting boundaries, working with advisors, and building meaningful professional connections. Connect with Us: Follow BMES on social media for more conversations like this: Twitter/X: @BMESociety Instagram: @Bmesociety Facebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) LinkedIn: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Website: www.bmes.org Follow Amal Shabazz: Linkedin: @AmalShabazz Music Credit: “Vlog Music Beat Trailer Showreel Promo Background Intro Theme” by Coma-Media via Pixabay https://pixabay.com/music/beats-vlog-music-beat-trailer-showreel-promo-background-intro-theme-274290/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Office Hours with Liz Wayne wherever you get your podcasts.

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Do We Still Need Universities? – A Conversation with Dr. Conrad Zapanta

In this episode of Office Hours with Liz Wayne, Liz chats with Dr. Conrad Zapanta ("Dr. Z"), Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, College of Engineering and Teaching Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, to explore the evolving role of higher education. They discuss what universities offer beyond the classroom, how engineering programs are adapting to AI and changing workforce needs, and why community, mentorship, and hands-on learning remain essential in biomedical engineering. Connect with Us: Follow BMES on social media for more conversations like this: Twitter/X: @BMESociety Instagram: @Bmesociety Facebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) LinkedIn: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Website: www.bmes.org Follow Dr. Conrad Zapanta: Linkedin: @ConradZapanta Music Credit: “Vlog Music Beat Trailer Showreel Promo Background Intro Theme” by Coma-Media via Pixabay https://pixabay.com/music/beats-vlog-music-beat-trailer-showreel-promo-background-intro-theme-274290/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Office Hours with Liz Wayne wherever you get your podcasts.

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Reimagining Women's Health – A Conversation with Dr. Erika Moore & Dr. Shreya Raghavan

What does “women’s health” really mean and who gets to define it? In this episode of Office Hours with Liz Wayne, Liz chats with Dr. Erika Moore, Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park, and Dr. Shreya Raghavan, Associate Professor at Texas A&M University, to unpack how biomedical engineers are reshaping the future of women’s health research. From uterine mechanics and cancer mechanobiology to wearable technologies and FDA-cleared health apps, the conversation explores how engineering is driving new discoveries across reproductive health, autoimmune disease, imaging, diagnostics, and beyond. Together, they discuss the evolution of the BMES Women’s Health SIG, the importance of trainee involvement, and why expanding the definition of women’s health could transform healthcare for everyone. Connect with Us: Follow BMES on social media for more conversations like this: Twitter/X: @BMESociety Instagram: @Bmesociety Facebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) LinkedIn: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Website: www.bmes.org Links to Dr. Erika Moore's Work: Moore Lab Cell Line-Specific Estrogen Responses Uncover Functional Sex Differences in Murine Macrophages TRACE: Applying AI Language Models to Extract Ancestry Information From Curated Biomedical Literature Modeling Uterine Fibroids Using Bioengineered Hydrogels Follow Dr. Erika Moore: Instagram: @MooreLabBME Linkedin: @MooreLab Instagram: @ErikaMooreTaylor TikTok: @DrErikaMoore Links to Dr. Shreya Raghavan's Work: ElevateHER: Engineering a New Era in Women's Health Follow Dr. Shreya Raghavan: X: @LabRaghavan LinkedIn: Shreya Raghavan Music Credit: “Vlog Music Beat Trailer Showreel Promo Background Intro Theme” by Coma-Media via Pixabay https://pixabay.com/music/beats-vlog-music-beat-trailer-showreel-promo-background-intro-theme-274290/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Office Hours with Liz Wayne wherever you get your podcasts.

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What Does a Teaching Professor Really Do? – A Conversation with Dr. Jenny Amos

In this episode of Office Hours with Liz Wayne, she chats with Dr. Jenny Amos, Teaching Professor in Bioengineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, about what it really means to build a career centered on teaching in academia. From her transition away from a traditional research path to her passion for student engagement, Dr. Amos breaks down the role of teaching faculty and how they shape the classroom experience for future biomedical engineers. They explore topics like active learning, student belonging, and how course design can directly impact retention and success in engineering programs, along with how teaching has evolved in recent years. This conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the impact of great teaching in biomedical engineering. Connect with Us: Follow BMES on social media for more conversations like this: Twitter/X: @BMESociety Instagram: @Bmesociety Facebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) LinkedIn: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Website: www.bmes.org Links to Dr. Jenny Amos' Work: Jenny Amos Profile Facilitating the Development of Sessions and Dissemination of Outcomes from the 5th Biomedical Engineering Educational Summit Promoting Teaching‑Focused Faculty in Biomedical Engineering: Education Summit Highlights Best Practices for Professional Development Overview of Biomedical Engineering Graduate Education Landscape Follow Dr. Jenny Amos: LinkedIn: Jenny Amos Music Credit: “Vlog Music Beat Trailer Showreel Promo Background Intro Theme” by Coma-Media via Pixabay https://pixabay.com/music/beats-vlog-music-beat-trailer-showreel-promo-background-intro-theme-274290/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Office Hours with Liz Wayne wherever you get your podcasts.

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What Comes After Graduation? Finding Your Path in Biomedical Engineering — A Conversation with Dr. Jose Rios Lizarraga

What does life really look like after earning a biomedical engineering degree? In this episode of Office Hours with Liz Wayne, she chats with Dr. Jose Rios Lizarraga, Director of Formulation Sciences at Nuvalent, to unpack the realities of building a career in the biopharmaceutical industry, from graduate school uncertainty to landing that first job and beyond. Dr. Lizarraga shares how a single undergraduate course sparked his passion for drug delivery, leading him from research at MIT to a PhD at Cornell and ultimately into pharmaceutical development. Along the way, he shares the challenges of breaking into industry, the pressure of the job search, and the importance of learning how to translate academic experience into real-world impact. Connect with Us: Follow BMES on social media for more conversations like this: Twitter/X: @BMESociety Instagram: @Bmesociety Facebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) LinkedIn: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Website: www.bmes.org Follow Dr. Jose Rios Lizarraga: LinkedIn: Jose Rios Lizarraga Music Credit: “Vlog Music Beat Trailer Showreel Promo Background Intro Theme” by Coma-Media via Pixabay https://pixabay.com/music/beats-vlog-music-beat-trailer-showreel-promo-background-intro-theme-274290/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Office Hours with Liz Wayne wherever you get your podcasts.

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Why Professional Societies Matter in Biomedical Engineering — A Conversation with Dr. Michael King

In this episode of Office Hours with Liz Wayne, Liz sits down with longtime BMES member and leader Michael King, E.D. Butcher Professor of Bioengineering at Rice University, to explore the evolving role of professional societies in biomedical engineering. From his first BMES Annual Meeting in 2000 to serving in major leadership roles, King reflects on how conferences, mentorship, networking, and community have shaped his career and why these spaces remain essential for students, researchers, and faculty alike. Together, they discuss how BMES has grown over the years, the balance between in-person and virtual engagement, the importance of supporting early-career scientists, and the challenges professional societies face in a rapidly changing academic landscape. The conversation also touches on leadership, scientific advocacy, and what the future of bioengineering communities could look like as technology and culture continue to evolve. Connect with Us: Follow BMES on social media for more conversations like this: Twitter/X: @BMESociety Instagram: @Bmesociety Facebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) LinkedIn: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Website: www.bmes.org Follow Dr. Michael King: Twitter/X: @profmikeking Bluesky: @profmikeking.bsky.social Instagram: @profmikeking LinkedIn: Michael King Links to Dr. Michael King's Work: Rice-Led Study Finds Focused Ultrasound Therapy Improves Cancer Treatment An AI Novel Series (4 Books) Music Credit: “Vlog Music Beat Trailer Showreel Promo Background Intro Theme” by Coma-Media via Pixabay https://pixabay.com/music/beats-vlog-music-beat-trailer-showreel-promo-background-intro-theme-274290/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Office Hours with Liz Wayne wherever you get your podcasts.

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Nerve Regeneration and Academic Leadership — A Conversation with BMES President Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert

In this episode of Office Hours, Liz Wayne talks with Shelly Sakiyama‑Elbert, Vice Dean, Research and Graduate Education, Professor of Bioengineering at University of Washington, and President of the Biomedical Engineering Society. From nerve regeneration and stem cell biology to academic leadership and professional service, Sakiyama-Elbert shares how she balances research, mentorship, and administration while helping shape the future of biomedical engineering. Together, Wayne and Sakiyama-Elbert unpack what it really means to build strong academic ecosystems, lead with purpose, and support the next generation of engineers in a rapidly changing world. Connect with Us: Follow BMES on social media for more conversations like this: Twitter/X: @BMESociety Instagram: @Bmesociety Facebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) LinkedIn: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Website: www.bmes.org Follow Dr. Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert's: Linkedin: @Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert Links to Dr. Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert's Work: The Sakiyama-Elbert Lab The Office of Research & Graduate Education Music Credit: “Vlog Music Beat Trailer Showreel Promo Background Intro Theme” by Coma-Media via Pixabay https://pixabay.com/music/beats-vlog-music-beat-trailer-showreel-promo-background-intro-theme-274290/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Office Hours with Liz Wayne wherever you get your podcasts.

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Pregnancy as an Engineering Process — A Conversation with Dr. Michelle Oyen

Dr. Liz Wayne, host of the Office Hours podcast, is joined by Dr. Michelle Oyen, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Wayne State University, for an in-depth discussion on pregnancy through an engineering lens. Oyen shares how biomechanics, materials science, and data analysis are transforming our understanding of pregnancy, from placental development to preterm birth—the leading cause of neonatal mortality worldwide. Together, they explore the mechanical properties of the amniotic sac, how environmental factors like atmospheric pressure can influence birth outcomes, and why pregnancy remains one of the most understudied areas in medicine. The conversation highlights both the challenges of researching pregnancy and the powerful role biomedical engineering can play in advancing women’s and maternal health. Connect with Us: Follow BMES on social media for more conversations like this: Twitter/X: @BMESociety Instagram: @Bmesociety Facebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) LinkedIn: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Website: www.bmes.org Follow Dr. Michelle Oyen: Linkedin: @Michelle Oyen Links to Dr. Michelle Oyen's Work: Engineering is Pregnant with Possibilities Virtual Pregnancies: Predicting and Preventing Pregnancy Complications with Digital Twins FDA Modernization Act 2.0 and Reproductive Research As Mentioned on the Episode: America’s Stillbirth Crisis: Before a Breath | FULL DOCUMENTARY Music Credit: “Vlog Music Beat Trailer Showreel Promo Background Intro Theme” by Coma-Media via Pixabay https://pixabay.com/music/beats-vlog-music-beat-trailer-showreel-promo-background-intro-theme-274290/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Office Hours with Liz Wayne wherever you get your podcasts.

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Engineering Accessible Diagnostics — A Conversation with Dr. Ayokunle Olanrewaju

Dr. Liz Wayne, host of the Office Hours podcast, is joined by Dr. Ayokunle Olanrewaju, Assistant Professor of Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Washington, for a conversation on how microfluidics is transforming the landscape of accessible diagnostics. Dr. Olanrewaju explains the potential of microfluidic technologies in creating user-friendly diagnostic tests and discusses the fabrication challenges that often hinder progress. Drawing from his upbringing in Nigeria, Dr. Olanrewaju shares why accessible diagnostics matter deeply to him, emphasizing the importance of designing solutions that align with real-world needs. He also offers insight into his ongoing projects, including antiviral drug monitoring platforms and collaborations with researchers across disciplines to advance global health innovation. Connect with Us: Follow BMES on social media for more conversations like this: Twitter/X: @BMESociety Instagram: @Bmesociety Facebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) LinkedIn: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Website: www.bmes.org Follow Dr. Ayokunle Olanrewaju's: Bluesky: @olan.bsky.social Linkedin: @Ayokunle O. Links to Ayokunle Olanrewaju's Work: Dr. Olanrewaju Lab Olanrewaju earns NIH Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award microTAStic: Ayo Olanrewaju on POC Dx to Monitor Antiretroviral Drugs Music Credit: “Vlog Music Beat Trailer Showreel Promo Background Intro Theme” by Coma-Media via Pixabay https://pixabay.com/music/beats-vlog-music-beat-trailer-showreel-promo-background-intro-theme-274290/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Office Hours with Liz Wayne wherever you get your podcasts.

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How BME is Redefining Recovery — A Conversation with Dr. Collin Bowersock

Dr. Liz Wayne, host of the Office Hours Host podcast, is joined by Dr. Collin Bowersock, Principal Scientist at Human Performance and Nutrition Research Institute at Oklahoma State University, to discuss the mechanics of human movement and the future of rehabilitation engineering. Bowersock dives into his research on motor control, spinal cord injury recovery, and adaptive devices designed to support individuals with cerebral palsy and other movement disorders. They explore how personalized rehabilitation, AI-driven insights, and emerging gene-editing technologies are reshaping care. Connect with Us: Follow BMES on social media for more conversations like this: Twitter/X: @BMESociety Instagram: @Bmesociety Facebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) LinkedIn: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Website: www.bmes.org Follow Dr. Collin Bowersock: Linkedin: @Collin Bowersock Links to Dr. Bowersock's Work: Work with Early Running and Biomechanics Independent Effects of Step Length and Foot Strike Pattern on Tibiofemoral Joint Forces During Running Reduced Step Length Reduces Knee Joint Contact Forces During Running Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction but Does Not Alter Inter-Limb Asymmetry Work with Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Standing Reactive Postural Responses of Lower Limbs With and Without Self-Balance Assistance in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury Receiving Epidural Stimulation Robotic Upright Stand Trainer (RobUST) and Postural Control in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury Work with Exoskeletons Differential and Adjustable Stiffness Leaf Spring Ankle Foot Orthoses Enhance Gait Propulsion and Task Versatility in Cerebral Palsy Feasibility of Using Autonomous Ankle Exoskeletons to Augment Community Walking in Cerebral Palsy A Lightweight Powered Elbow Exoskeleton for Manual Handling Tasks Music Credit: “Vlog Music Beat Trailer Showreel Promo Background Intro Theme” by Coma-Media via Pixabay https://pixabay.com/music/beats-vlog-music-beat-trailer-showreel-promo-background-intro-theme-274290/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Office Hours with Liz Wayne wherever you get your podcasts.

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Turning Lab Discoveries into Cancer Diagnostics — A Conversation with Dr. Jessica Winter

Dr. Liz Wayne, Office Hours Host, is joined by Dr. Jessica Winter, Distinguished Professor of Engineering at The Ohio State University, as they explore how technology becomes life-changing diagnostics. Winter shares how quantum dot “tighter and brighter” labels are making leukemia and lymphoma testing faster and more sensitive, why earlier detection saves lives, and how her own breast cancer diagnosis sharpened her mission. They discuss teaming up with clinicians, and training the next generation to design with patients in mind. Plus: a “World Without BME” segment that reminds us why biomedical engineering touches everything. Connect with Us: Follow BMES on social media for more conversations like this: Twitter/X: @BMESociety Instagram: @Bmesociety Facebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) LinkedIn: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Website: www.bmes.org Follow Dr. Jessica Winter's: Bluesky: @jessicaowinter.bsky.social‬ Twitter/X: @Jessica Winter Links to Jessica Winter's Work: go.osu.edu/winterlab Music Credit: “Vlog Music Beat Trailer Showreel Promo Background Intro Theme” by Coma-Media via Pixabay https://pixabay.com/music/beats-vlog-music-beat-trailer-showreel-promo-background-intro-theme-274290/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Office Hours with Liz Wayne wherever you get your podcasts.

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The Genetics of Health: Science, Ethics, and Engineering — A Conversation with Dr. Mete Civelek

Dr. Liz Wayne, Office Hours Host, is joined by Dr. Mete Civelek, Professor of Molecular Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he breaks down how our genes shape health. From DNA stability and protein coding to genetic variants linked to cardiometabolic disease, they explore the science driving precision medicine. The conversation dives into the power of genetic testing, the need for diverse datasets, and the ethical challenges of protecting data, showcasing how biomedical engineering is pushing healthcare into the future. Connect with Us: Follow BMES on social media for more conversations like this: Twitter/X: @BMESociety Instagram: @Bmesociety Facebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) LinkedIn: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Website: www.bmes.org Follow Dr. Mete Civelek: Bluesky: @metecivelek.bsky.social Twitter/X: @mete_civelek Linkedin: @Mete Civelek Music Credit: “Vlog Music Beat Trailer Showreel Promo Background Intro Theme” by Coma-Media via Pixabay https://pixabay.com/music/beats-vlog-music-beat-trailer-showreel-promo-background-intro-theme-274290/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Office Hours with Liz Wayne wherever you get your podcasts.

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The Science of Healing in Women’s Sports — A Conversation with Dr. Jenny Robinson

Dr. Liz Wayne taps in on her wide network of friends and contacts to discuss some of the most important, and often controversial, topics surrounding biomedical engineering, and related areas shaping healthcare. Wayne, an Assistant Professor at the University of Washington and host of our monthly webinar, unpacks today’s most pressing scientific topics and explores how biomedical engineers are building a healthier, more equitable world, one discovery at a time. In our first episode, Wayne speaks with Dr. Jenny Robinson, an associate professor at the University of Washington, about sports injuries and the future of tissue regeneration. Robinson shares insights into how sex hormones influence healing, with a focus on female athletes and the high rate of ACL injuries among women. Among other topics, she also talks about the limitations of current treatments like autografts and allografts and explores how biomaterials could revolutionize recovery. Don’t miss our first scintillating episode. Connect with Us: Follow BMES on social media for more conversations like this: Twitter/X: @BMESociety Instagram: @Bmesociety Facebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) LinkedIn: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Website: www.bmes.org Follow Dr. Jenny Robinson: Twitter/X: @Prof_JRobinson Linkedin: @Jenny Robinson, Ph.D. Music Credit: “Vlog Music Beat Trailer Showreel Promo Background Intro Theme” by Coma-Media via Pixabay https://pixabay.com/music/beats-vlog-music-beat-trailer-showreel-promo-background-intro-theme-274290/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Office Hours with Liz Wayne wherever you get your podcasts.

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Welcome to Office Hours with Liz Wayne

Welcome to the Office Hours podcast, brought to you by the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)! In this special preview episode, host Dr. Liz Wayne gives listeners a glimpse into what’s to come—from candid conversations with BME leaders to unexpected insights about life in and out of the lab. Hear about the vision behind the show, what kinds of guests and topics you can expect, and why now is the perfect time for these kinds of conversations in biomedical engineering. Follow along and join the community: @BMESociety on Instagram and X @Biomedical Engineering Society on Facebook and Linkedin Subscribe, share, and stay tuned. The first full episode drops soon!