Eminent Faculty Winner Ernö Lindner Addressed U of M Commencement Aug. 15

Dr. Ernö Lindner

The University of Memphis awarded 671 degrees during its summer Commencement on Sunday, August 15, at FedExForum. The speaker was Dr. Ernö Lindner, recipient of the University’s 2010 Willard Sparks Eminent Faculty Award.

Lindner is the R. Eugene Smith Professor of Biomedical Engineering and a professor of chemistry. A native of Hungary, he has assembled an outstanding laboratory research group and has compiled a sustained record of achievements in the areas of chemical sensors and biomedical engineering.

Lindner is working on development of a simple device for the early diagnosis of heart attacks, one of the most challenging situations faced by emergency physicians. The research is supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health. In collaboration with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, he continues work on an innovative feedback-controlled device for precision dosing of propofol, a potent intravenous anesthetic drug. Lindner has research partners across the University, the city (Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center, UTHSC), the nation (Woods Hole Marine Biology Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory) and the world (Hungary, Switzerland, Japan and Finland).

His approach to teaching leaves a great impact on his students. They graduate with much more than a degree – they go on to become first-class engineers and scientists with unlimited futures in industry and academia. Last year three of his students earned Ph.D.s and were able to choose from several prestigious job offers. Two students working with Lindner in National Science Foundation-supported REU programs (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) have been recognized as the best in their group for research into nanomaterials and biomaterials.

Due in part to the research generated by students from his laboratory, Lindner’s publications peaked in 2009. Twelve of his papers were published or accepted for publication, with two additional manuscripts under review. His scholarly contributions were cited 355 times during the year. In recognition, Lindner received the 2009 Alumni Association Distinguished Research Award for achievement in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics.

Founded in 1912, the University of Memphis is a comprehensive metropolitan research university that is recognized nationally and internationally for its academic, research, and athletic programs. With more than 20,000 students, the U of M offers more than 254 areas of study for those seeking bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. It also offers the juris doctor (law) and education specialist degrees.