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BME Graduate Student Michael Hoffman Awarded Pre-Doctoral Trainee Seat

Monday, December 19, 2011

BME graduate student, Michael Hoffman has been selected by the Education Committee in the CMSR at the University of Rochester to assume one of the highly sought after pre-doctoral training seats on the Ruth L. Kirschstein NIH T32 Training Grant.

Michael will continue to pursue research under Dr. Danielle Benoit and will be provided a $21,600 stipend along with $4,200 towards his benefits rate and $1,000 travel budget. The position provides 3 years of support.

Benoit Lab Members Place 2nd and 3rd at Biomaterials Day Conference

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Benoit lab members Kanika Vats took 2nd place (her talk titled, Exploiting thiol-ene hydrogels to control cell behavior dynamically) and Michael Baranello took 3rd place (his talk titled, Characterization and Development of Novel Parthenolide Delivery System) at the Syracuse University-University of Rochester sponsored Biomaterials Day: Interactive Biomaterials conference.

The conference was held at the Syracuse Biomaterials Institute (SBI) at Syracuse University and was a success with speakers from Cornell, UR, Renssalaer Polytechnic, and Syracuse. The organizers of the event, who have been awarded a $5000 grant from the Society for Biomaterials, are Rebecca Bader, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, at Syracuse University and Danielle Benoit, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, at the University of Rochester.

Benoit Lab Hosts 4th Graders For a Hands-On Science Experience

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Photo of Dr. Benoit

Dr. Danielle Benoit instructing Mrs. Hoffend's students
on the finer points of non-Newtonian fluid.

What happens when Mrs. Hoffend's fourth grade class visits BME? Well, baking soda-vinegar volcanoes erupt, materials change color, texture, and shape, and Freaky Friday takes on a whole new meaning! The Benoit Lab set up a series of four stations around Goergen Hall and provided the fourth graders with a hands-on science learning experience. Mrs. Hoffend wanted to do a project on scientists in our local area, and learn more about the research that they are involved with. Her students spent several weeks researching, reading, and writing about the Benoit Lab in preparation for the visit.

Graduate student, Amy Van Hove worked with Mrs. Hoffend to create a memorable experience for both the fourth graders and the lab personnel. I remember science demos were one of my favorite activities in elementary school. So when Mrs. Hoffend contacted us, I was very excited about her project. Everyone involved did a great job preparing and running the demos, and we all had a great time working with the kids, said Van Hove, who organized the event.

Photo of a graduate student showing children a science experiment

Graduate student, Amy Van Hove, showing Mrs. Hoffend's
students how changing temperature affects how some materials behave.

My students were extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to meet and interact with a variety of scientists on this special day in the biomedical engineering lab at the University of Rochester. The children returned to school talking about all the wonderful things they had seen and done and many were saying they now want to be scientists! I cannot thank Dr. Benoit enough for the use of her labs, Amy for her take charge attitude to make this experience happen for the children, and for all the wonderful members of the labs that helped to make this day possible and rewarding for these young students, said Mrs. Hoffend about the children's experience.

Syracuse University and University of Rochester to Host 2011 Biomaterials Day

Friday, September 30, 2011

On November 18, 2011, Syracuse University and the University of Rochester will hold the first Biomaterials Day Conference to highlight research in the Upstate New York region focused on the development of Interactive Biomaterials that are biocompatible and elicit desired responses when interfaced with biological tissues. The conference is to be held at the Syracuse Biomaterials Institute (SBI) at Syracuse University with a optional Biomaterials Characterization Workshop on November 17th.

The organizers of the event, who have been awarded a $5000 grant from the Society for Biomaterials, are Rebecca Bader, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, at Syracuse University and Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, at the University of Rochester.

Read More: Syracuse University and University of Rochester to Host 2011 Biomaterials Day

BME Grad Student Michael Hoffman Wins the Sodus Point Sprint Triathlon

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Photo of Michael Hoffman running

Michael Hoffmann

Congratulations to BME graduate student, Michael Hoffman, who won the Sodus Point Sprint Triathlon on August 14th. The triathlon consisted of a .45 mile swim, 13.1 mile bike, and 5K run. Michael is a current member of the Benoit Lab, working on the tissue engineered periosteum approaches to heal bone allograft transplants project.

Derrick German Wins First Place at UR Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Derrick German, undergraduate research student from Union College, won first place in the University of Rochester's Summer Undergraduate Research Program Symposium. His presentation concluded his summer experience and was entitled: Targeting the Wnt/B-catenin pathway: A therapeutic approach to bone remodeling. Congratulations Derrick!

Amy Van Hove Awarded the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Med-into-Grad Fellowship

Monday, August 1, 2011

Amy Van Hove, a graduate student in the Benoit lab has been awarded the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Med-into-Grad Fellowship in Cardiovascular Science. This prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute fellowship is sponsored by the Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI) and augments traditional Ph.D. training with clinical rotations, a clinical co-mentor, weekly CVRI seminar series, journal club, and translational cardiovascular coursework to train the next generation of bench-to-bedside cardiovascular scientists.

Dr. Danielle Benoit Receives Grant from Leukemia Research Foundation

Thursday, July 14, 2011

logo of the leukemia research association

Biomedical Engineering assistant professor, Dr. Danielle Benoit has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Leukemia Research Foundation (LRF). Dr. Benoit's Therapeutic Biomaterials Lab conducts research on developing new treatments for childhood leukemia by using synthetic hydrogels and polymers formed using reversible-addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT). In 1946, the Leukemia Research Foundation was established in Chicago to memorialize 12-year-old Sherwin Pessin. Since that time nearly 65 years ago, LRF has raised more than $48 million.

Benoit Lab Hosts 2nd Annual Alex's Lemonade Stand Fundraiser

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Recently Danielle Benoit, Ph.D. received the Young Investigator Award from the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) for a grant developing new treatments for childhood leukemia. To give back, Benoit and the Therapeutic Biomaterials Lab held their 2nd annual lemonade stand fundraiser at the Rochester Public Market and the Brighton Farmers' Market over the weekend of June 11. Last year the lab raised $865, and Dr. Benoit had hoped to raise $1,000 this year. But when that goal was meet earlier than expected, Dr. Benoit challenged the lab to higher stakes—raising the goal to $2,000. Urging friends, family, and colleagues to contribute in person and online as well as furnishing over 20 gallons of lemonade at the markets, the lab has raised $2020.53 for ALSF.

The lemonade stands are fantastic. They give us a unique opportunity to educate the Rochester area about our research at the University of Rochester as well as the mission of ALSF. Plus they are a lot of fun!, said Dr. Benoit about her lab's participation in Alex's Lemonade Stand. If you would like to contribute to this effort, please visit the Benoit Lab's ALSF Lemonade Stand.

Dr. Danielle Benoit Selected as a WHEEL Scholar

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Congratulations to BME professor, Dr. Danielle Benoit who just received a WHEEL Award. Dr. Benoit is working on a grant entitled, Inhibition of Bone Formation by Lead: Rescue with a Targeted Polymer Therapeutic, and will be mentored by Dr. J. Edward Puzas from the Center for Musculoskeletal Research and Dr. Deborah Cory-Slechta, Professor of Environmental Medicine.

The Women's Health and the Environment over the Entire Lifespan (WHEEL) program is a K-12 training program funded by NICHD and NIEHS through the Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health (BIRCWH) Program. The grant was received by the URMC Obstetrics and Gynecology Department last September. It funds four scholars and is aimed at helping them to launch independent research careers.

Students and Faculty Recognized at the Undergraduate Research Symposium

Friday, April 15, 2011

Congratulations to the RCBU and BME students whose work was recognized at the prestigious annual University of Rochester Undergraduate Research Exposition 2011. Undergraduate students from RCBU and BME research laboratories participated in the symposium. BME undergrads Benjamin Freedman '11 and Kelli Summers '11 were both invited to speak at the Engineering and Applied Sciences Symposium Talks.

Freedman discussed his work, What is Q-Angle really measuring? A novel alternative to predict patellar maltracking, which received the Dean's Award. Summers spoke about her research with Dr. James McGrath, Mechanisms Underlying Collective Cell Migration in Vitro, which was recognized by President Seligman with the President's Award. Aaron Zakrzewski (ME '11), mentored by Mechanical Engineering Professor Sheryl Gracewski, gave an oral presentation of his research titled Natural frequency of bubbles within rigid and compliant tubes. Aaron also received a Deans' Award for Undergraduate Research in Engineering and Applied Sciences for his presentation. In addition, five of the seven poster exhibitions from the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences were by BME students:

Molly Boutin (Benoit Lab) BME '11
A Polymeric Delivery System to Induce Differentiation in hMSCs
Jasmine Carvalho (Dalecki Lab) BME '11
Investigations of Ultrasound Parameters to Promote Spatial Organization of Cells in Three-Dimensional Engineered Tissues
Vlabhav Kakkad (McAleavey Lab) BME '12
Experimental Implementation of Shear Wave Induced Phase Encoding Imaging
Angela Ketterer (Carney Lab) BME '12
Design and Implementation of a Behavioral Apparatus for Auditory Research in Birds
Hannah Watkins (Benoit Lab) BME '11
Novel Parthenolide Delivery System for Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment
(Received the Professor's Choice Award)
Read More: Students and Faculty Recognized at the Undergraduate Research Symposium

Benoit Lab Members to Present at UG Research Expo

Monday, April 11, 2011

Current Benoit Lab members, Molly Boutin (BME senior) and Hannah Watkins (BME senior) will be presenting their research at the Undergraduate Research Exposition 2011, April 15th from 12:30 to 4:00 pm. The Exposition will be comprised of two venues for the presentation of undergraduate research: a Symposium for twelve oral presentations and a Poster Presentation Fair. The Symposium will include participants selected by judges, reflecting the most accomplished undergraduate work throughout the College.

BME Students Awarded Fellowships for Graduate Research by the National Science Foundation

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Three BME seniors received prestigious National Science Foundation Research Fellowships, and Michael Hoffman, a Ph.D. student in the Benoit Lab, received an NSF Honorable Mention. The fellowship, which is part of a federally sponsored program, provides up to three years of graduate study support for students pursing doctoral or research-based master's degrees.

The fellowship includes a three-year annual stipend of $30,000, a $10,500 educational allowance to the institution, and international research opportunities. Danielle Benoit, assistant professor in biomedical and chemical engineering at Rochester, says that the financial support provides students the flexibility to attend conferences, participate in training programs, and travel to meet with other researchers in their field.

The following graduating BME seniors received fellowships:

Benjamin Freedman (Lerner Lab) '11
University of Pennsylvania
Adam Kozak '11
Duke University
Hannah Watkins (Benoit Lab) '11
Cornell University
2011-12 Fullbright Scholarship and Whitaker International Fellowship to the United Kingdom
Read More: BME Students Awarded Fellowships for Graduate Research by the National Science Foundation

Benoit Lab Members Present Their Research at the 37th Northeast Bioengineering Conference

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Current Benoit Lab members, Molly Boutin (BME senior), Michael Hoffman (2nd year PhD student), and Hannah Watkins (BME senior) were all selected to present their research at the 37th Northeast Bioengineering Conference this past weekend at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), in Troy, NY. Molly won first place in the Regenerative Medicine category for her talk entitled, Evaluation of a polymeric siRNA delivery system for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

BME Undergraduate Dan Reynolds Awarded Prestigious Xerox Undergraduate Fellowship & National Tau Beta Pi Scholarship

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Dan Reynolds, BME Junior in the laboratory of Danielle Benoit, Ph.D. was recently awarded a SEAS Xerox Undergraduate Fellowship. The SEAS Xerox Fellowship Program is a highly competitive program to provide engineering undergraduates with an opportunity to participate in a research experience in SEAS during the summer preceding their senior year. Additionally, students will receive independent study course credit for the continuation of their work during the fall and spring semesters of their senior year. Selection criteria include research interests, competitive academic performance, and intellectual ability and curiosity.

Dan will continue his work in the Benoit Lab focusing on Cross-linked network architectures for controllable drug delivery. In addition to this honor, Dan has also won a National Tau Beta Pi Scholarship for his senior year at UR.

BME Undergraduate Hannah Watkins selected as a Fulbright Scholar in the United Kingdom

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

BME Undergraduate Hannah Watkins (Benoit Lab) has been selected as a Fulbright Scholar in the United Kingdom. This is the most competitive Fulbright to win (geographically)! She will be performing research next year with Dr. Molly Stevens at Imperial College in London developing novel responsive drug delivery liposomes for cancer treatment.

Read More: BME Undergraduate Hannah Watkins selected as a Fulbright Scholar in the United Kingdom

Benoit Lab Awarded Grant From the Orthopaedic Research & Educational Foundation/Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

The Benoit Lab has been awarded a grant from the Orthopaedic Research & Educational Foundation/Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation for the research project: Tissue Engineered Periosteum Approaches to Heal Bone Allograft Transplants.

Benoit Lab Awarded a Grant from the Rochester/Finger Lakes Eye & Tissue Bank

Thursday, January 6, 2011

The Benoit Lab has been awarded a grant from the Rochester/Finger Lakes Eye & Tissue Bank (R/FLETB) for their project entitled, Tissue Engineered Periosteum Approaches to Heal Bone Allograft Transplants.

Danielle Benoit Featured on WXXI Healthy Friday

Friday, December 17, 2010

logo of healthy fridays

Dr. Danielle Benoit was featured on WXXI's Healthy Friday on December 17, discussing Polymers and biomedical materials in health related issues Vitamin D Guidelines.

Dr. Danielle Benoit Receives Funding From the I Care I Cure Foundation.

Monday, October 4, 2010

logo

Dr. Danielle Benoit'sALSF grant has received co-funding from the I Care I Cure Foundation. The Benoit lab was one of three chosen from all 2010 ALSF grants. The I Care I Cure Foundation supports the development of, and raises public awareness about, cutting-edge, targeted therapies for childhood cancer, so the treatment of childhood cancer will be gentler and more tolerable.

Dr. Danielle Benoit Receives Grant From ASLF

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Alex's Lemonade logo

Dr. Danielle Benoit's (BME) Young Investigator Grant titled: Targeted polymeric parthenolide carriers to treat childhood AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia), has been selected by ALSF's Scientific Advisory Board for funding. Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ASLF) has raised over $30 million dollars for pediatric cancer research since 2004, and is committed to finding a cure for all types of childhood cancers.

BME Undergraduate Hannah Watkins Awarded Prestigious Xerox Undergraduate Fellowship

Thursday, February 25, 2010

The SEAS Xerox Undergraduate Fellows Program is a highly competitive program to provide engineering undergraduates with an opportunity to participate in a research experience in SEAS during the summer preceding their senior year. Additionally, students will receive independent study course credit for the continuation of their work during the fall and spring semesters of their senior year. Selection criteria include research interests, competitive academic performance, and intellectual ability and curiosity. Hannah will continue her work in the Benoit Lab focusing on Hydrogel Culture Environments for Regenerative Medicine Applications.