For release: February 1, 2012
For press information, contact Gabrielle Maxey, 901/678-2843

The University of Memphis, in conjunction with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Vanderbilt University, will sponsor Biomaterials Day on Friday, Feb. 17, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the U of M’s FedEx Institute of Technology.

The conference will feature panel discussions on the innovation and clinical needs of biomaterials, a networking luncheon, and presentations by undergraduate and graduate students as well as industry professionals.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Buddy D. Ratner, a professor in the Department of Engineering and Chemical Engineering at the University of Washington, Michael L. & Myrna Darland Endowed Chair in Technology Commercialization, and director of the University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials Group. He is the author of more than 400 scholarly works and the recipient of numerous honors, including the 2011 Pierre Galletti Award from the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering. Ratner’s research interests include biomaterials, tissue engineering, polymers, and biocompatibility.

A high school design competition will also be held during the event. Teams of up to five students will try to solve a partial defect of a femur in 10 minutes with any materials available. The fix must hold at least 10 pounds for 20 seconds. Participants will also create posters that demonstrate their knowledge of bone anatomy and healing.

Parking is available in the Innovation Drive garage adjacent to the FedEx Institute of Technology.

More information about the conference is available online at http://tiny.cc/UMbiomaterialsday2012.