Welcome to
Biomedical Engineering

About the Academy

The Academy of Distinguished Biomedical Engineers, established in 2023, recognizes alumni, alumnae, faculty and friends of the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Cockrell School of Engineering. Considered the highest honor bestowed by the department, Academy honorees have provided leadership and contributions that continue to transform health care delivery, improve quality of life and reduce health care inequities across underserved populations. The Academy and its members also support the department in preparing and empowering the next generation of biomedical engineers to go out and change the world. Honorees are nominated and selected by a committee and are invited to attend a banquet and induction ceremony with returning Academy members.

Core Values

Leadership — Lead by example to uphold the highest professional standards and act as role models to provide sound advice and guidance to peers in the field and biomedical engineering students.

Impact —Evidence of scientific contribution in technical excellence based on number of journal publications, patents and clinical trials.

Discovery —Advocate for life-long learning and support the department and university in the endeavor to advance health care innovations through research, creative activity, scholarly inquiry and the development of new knowledge.

Service —To champion and advance the mission of The University of Texas at Austin to become one of the highest-impact academic research institutions in the world; and to employ time, intellectual and financial resources to ensure the continued growth and success of the Department of Biomedical Engineering.

A.J. Welch, Ph.D.: UT Austin Department of Biomedical Engineering Professor (1933-2022) *

Ashley James (A.J.) Welch was a leading biophotonics researcher with an expertise in how lasers could be used in medical applications. He served on UT Austin's Biomedical Engineering Committee in the late 60s and early 70s, which allowed graduate students to earn degrees in that field and provided a foundation for a fully-fledged academic department in biomedical engineering in 2001. The Academy selected Welch for his everlasting legacy of fundamental research and influences that carry on in the lives of students he mentored and colleagues with whom he worked. 

Christine Schmidt, Ph.D: University of Florida J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering Chair

Christine Schmidt was a professor in both the Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering departments at UT. Along with being the most highly cited researchers in her field for two years, Schmidt was also the inaugural recipient of the Chairmen's Distinguished Life Sciences Award for achievements in neural engineering. The Academy selected Schmidt for her transformative and impactful research contributions, that on a broader scale, promote diversity in the engineering and scientific workforce.

Azita Sharif: Founder and Chief Executive Officer of DSI- Precision Medicine Biobanking & BINDS (Bio-Informatics Network for Discovery Science)

Azita Sharif is a biotechnology entrepreneur with a strong cross-functional expertise in engineering and medicine. She summarizes her goal as: “To positively impact human and public health using engineering with focus on analytical preventive medicine.” Her company DSI provides technology services beneficial to both the organ transplant and biobanking sectors. The Academy selected Sharif for her dedication to shine a light on the importance of food safety and transparency to prevent cancer and other chronic illnesses.

Richard Smalling, M.D., Ph.D: Cardiovascular Medicine Professor & Division of Cardiology Director at UT Health Houston

Dr. Richard Smalling specializes in the treatment of valvular heart disease and adult congenital heart disease. Named an America’s Top Doctor for the past 15 years, Dr. Smalling received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Heart Association Texas Affiliate in 1990 and is on the editorial boards for several, leading cardiology journals. In addition, he holds six patents and co-founded Windmill Cardiovascular Systems, to produce a new implantable left ventricular assist device. The Academy selected Dr. Smalling for dedicating more than half a century of his life to the advancement of cardiovascular care, technology, and treatment.

Casey Fox, Ph.D, P.E.: Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technical Officer Metric Medical Devices, Inc.

Casey Fox is a pioneer in research focusing on bone healing and osteoporosis. He has more than 35 patents issued in the U.S. and Europe along with 20 FDA clearances to market and commercialize the orthopedic products stemming from his inventions. A recipient of the Distinguished Engineering Graduate award from Cockrell, Fox has held engineering, advisory board and adjunct faculty positions over the last 30 years at UT Austin and dozens of other academic institutions nationwide. The Academy selected Fox for breaking barriers in the orthopedic space and showcasing the translational possibilities of biomedical engineering research.

Chris Condit: Senior Product Manager at Saluda Medical

Chris Condit is a dedicated philanthropist and biomedical entrepreneur. With no undergraduate degrees in biomedical engineering available at the time, Condit majored in electrical engineering with an emphasis on BME and dove into research with professor A.J. Welch. He is a recipient of the Outstanding Young Engineering Graduate award from the Cockrell School of Engineering. Condit later developed patented intellectual property with UT professor Tom Milner and his startup CardioSpectra. Partly inspired by his own battle surviving Hodgkin’s lymphoma as a child, Condit founded Texas 4000—an annual charity bike ride to support cancer research. The Academy selected Condit for taking his passion for improving healthcare beyond the development of innovative technology to remarkable, humanitarian efforts.

* Indicates posthumous honoree

Rebecca Richards-Kortum, Rice University Profoessor

Rebecca Richards-Kortum specializes in creating new technologies to provide health care to vulnerable populations, including methods for diagnosis of cancers, methods for treating jaundice in newborns, and a bubble continuous positive airway pressure machine for premature infants unable to breathe on their own. In recognition of her work, Richards-Kortum received a MacArthur Fellowship in 2016. She was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2008 and the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2015. In 2016 she received the Pierre Galletti Award, the highest honor from the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering and has received more grants than any other Rice University Professor. 

Gracie Vargas, UT Medical Branch Professor

Gracie Vargas received her Ph.D. in biomedical engineering at UT Austin and was recruited to UTMB in 2002 as an Assistant Professor and rose through the ranks to tenured Professor. An elected fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, Dr. Vargas is an internationally recognized expert in biomedical optics/biomedical engineering with committee service that guides the direction of national research in medical imaging and bioinstrumentation. In addition to her outstanding record of scientific innovation, Dr. Vargas is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of scientists and strengthening the diversity of the biomedical workforce. Her mentoring and research have enduring value, and she is a highly valued and respected member of UTMB and the community at large.  

Our community is made up of engineers, scientists, medical doctors, and thought leaders all working to elevate our mission to advance human health and health care by providing outstanding education and conducting innovative research. We attract the brightest faculty who are recognized by prestigious organizations in the field. 

Faculty Recognitions

17 American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering fellows

6 National Science Foundation Career Award recipients

3 American Association for the Advancement of Science fellows

2 National Academy of Inventors fellows

2 National Academy of Engineering members

2 National Academy of Medicine members

1 American Academy of Arts and Sciences member

Senior Academic Advisor

Post doctoral researcher positions

Senior Academic Advisor

We are seeking an enthusiastic individual to provide high quality service to undergraduate Biomedical Engineering students through advising, leading orientation and informational sessions, keeping student records, tracking progress towards degree completion, and academic administrative support. This position will collaborate with other staff and participate in Cockrell School student programs and initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Student Advising – Academic degree advising of Biomedical Engineering undergraduates individually or in a group environment. Includes the development of advising materials, monitoring four-year degree progress, and assisting with coordinating peer advisor training and oversight. Administration and oversight of department-level undergraduate research awards, scholarships, and cash prizes including coordination of the nomination and selection process. Assists students individually with academic concerns, questions, registration issues, and connects students to available University resources. Manages the weekly undergraduate newsletter. (40%)
• Support Undergraduate Academic Programs – In conjunction with the Advising Coordinator, coordinate the Belong mentoring program and First-Year Interest Groups. (20%)
• Student Event Support – Assist Advising Coordinator with projects and special programs including but not limited to New Student Orientation, Gone to Engineering, Commencement, bi-annual Poster Symposiums and their related activities. Act in a leadership or support role (as assigned) to carry out programs/activities/events. (15%)
• Data Requests and Analysis - Provide statistics for standard reports and ad hoc information requests for program analysis. Monitor graduation rates and timelines and provide department leadership with student program data when needed. (10%)
• Engage with Campus Advising Community – Attend meetings, trainings, and talks related to UT, advising, and department/majors: College Advising Meetings, Academic Counselors Association meetings, and College professional development activities. Serve on committees or advisory boards as needed. (10%)
• Faculty Support – Assist faculty members with various academic and administrative concerns and questions including but not limited to grade changes, student issues, allegations of scholastic dishonesty, scholarship nominations, etc. (5%)
• Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus six years of experience working with students in an academic counseling capacity; or master’s degree plus four years of experience.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to work independently or as a member of a team.
• Ability to interact in a professional manner with staff, students, and the public. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Independent decision-making and problem-solving ability.
• Tact, diplomacy, discretion, and judgment in dealing with students, faculty, and administrators.
• Professional appearance and demeanor. Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office. Knowledge of UT academic policies and procedures.

Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working in an undergraduate program, graduate program, or both. More than six years of above experience.
• Experience supervising and/or training student employees.
• Experience showing a high degree of initiative and good judgment. Exceptional organizational and time management skills.
• Proficiency with UT course management and student information systems, including Advisor’s Toolkit, EASI, GSIS, NRRECS, Class Manager, CIM, CIS Request System, FaSET, and the Grade Reporting system.

Salary Range: $48,000+ depending on qualifications

Internal Applicants

All Other Applcants

Postdoctoral Researcher Openings

For information on postdoctoral researcher positions, reach out to individual faculty members or visit their lab websites. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

The Department of Biomedical Engineering's External Advisory Committee (EAC) is comprised of leaders in academia and industry who support excellence in biomedical engineering education. The committee meets twice a year to provide counsel and help the department achieve its strategic goals.

Mr. Walter Humann
Chair
BME External Advisory Committee

Dr. Ahmad Ahmadi
Plastic Surgeon
Avante Plastic Surgery

Dr. Thomas Caven
Vice President of Medical Affairs and Medical Director
Seton Health Alliance/Ascension Texas

Mr. John Cox
Founder, Co-President
SevenPico, Inc.

Ms. Andrea Davis
Infection Preventionist
Texas Children's Hospital

Mr. Steve Engle
CEO
Gradalis, Inc. 

Dr. Cecilia Giachelli
Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering
University of Washington

Dr. Cristal Glangchai
Founder & CEO
VentureLab

Dr. Shahin Tavackoli
Comprehensive Heart Care, PA
Baylor College of Medicine

Dr. William R. Wagner
Director, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Professor, Surgery, Bioengineering, and Chemical Engineering
University of Pittsburgh

Mr. Avi Wolfson
Project Management Director, Global Services
Cytiva