Expanding Perspectives: Insights from the Society for Biomaterials Conference

Author: Devin Gerber | Major: Biomedical Engineering | Semester: Spring 2023

Devin Gerber is an honors biomedical engineering senior from Wichita, Kansas. She works in Dr. Song’s therapeutic testbed engineering lab. Her research focuses specifically on modeling the injured spinal cord environment to gain a deeper understanding of spinal cord pathophysiology.

I had the privilege of presenting my research at the Society for Biomaterials conference in San Diego, California this past April. My research involves replicating the pathological environment of the injury site using three-dimensional tissue-engineered in vitro testbeds, through which I studied cellular behavior. I was thrilled to be able to take my research out of the lab and share it with a diverse array of researchers and experts from around the world.

At the conference, I participated in a poster session where I had the chance to engage with fellow attendees, discuss my research, and learn about their research methods. This experience proved invaluable, as it allowed me to engage with other presenters, hear about different research projects, and discover applications of similar methods that were completely new to me. I found it especially enriching to interact with peers who shared a similar interest and drive in biomedical research.

Attending different lectures was another highlight of my conference experience. Listening to leading experts in the field of biomedical engineering, I was able to learn about a wide range of research topics, some of which I had never even heard about before. I was particularly interested in the talks on immune engineering, which will inform my upcoming studies at the University of Pennsylvania, where I will pursue a graduate degree with a focus on immune engineering.

My experience at the Society for Biomaterials conference was not only academically enriching but also beneficial in building my confidence and comfort with presenting and discussing my research. These are important skills to learn as an undergraduate researcher, especially if you are planning on pursuing graduate school. I received positive feedback and constructive criticism from my peers, which further fueled my passion for my research. I recommend attending conferences to anyone considering it, as they provide an excellent platform to share research and learn from peers. My tips for success include thorough preparation, practice, and taking notes during lectures and poster sessions.

Overall, the Society for Biomaterials conference was a valuable and unforgettable experience. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to attend and the wealth of experience I gained during the conference. Experiences such as this have proved invaluable to my journey as a biomedical engineer and have only made me more excited to pursue further education. I am grateful for the valuable lessons learned, the connections made, and the incredible opportunities that lie ahead. One of the most profound lessons I learned from this experience is the importance of pushing beyond my comfort zone and embracing new challenges. Stepping outside the familiar confines of my lab and engaging with fellow researchers allowed me to broaden my perspective, gain new insights, and foster personal and professional growth. It reinforced the notion that growth occurs when we embrace the unknown and actively seek opportunities to challenge ourselves.