Office Hours

In this episode of Office Hours with Liz Wayne, Liz talks with Stacey Finley, PhD, Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Quantitative and Computational Biology and the Nicole A. and Thuan Q. Pham Professor at the University of Southern California, about how computational and mathematical modeling helps researchers understand complex biological systems, predict treatment outcomes, and explore new approaches to cancer research.Finley breaks down agent-based modeling and shares how her lab uses these tools to study HER2-positive breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and the role a tumor’s local microenvironment plays in treatment response.Liz and Stacey also discuss the importance of strong collaboration between modelers and experimental researchers, how AI and machine learning complement mathematical modeling, and why curiosity and creativity are just as important as coding skills for the next generation of computational researchers.Connect with Us:Follow BMES on social media for more conversations like this:Twitter/X: @BMESocietyInstagram: @BmesocietyFacebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)LinkedIn: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)Website: www.bmes.orgLinks to Dr. Stacey Finley's Work:Computational Systems Biology LaboratoryFollow Dr. Stacey Finley:Linkedin: @StaceyFinleyMusic Credit: “Vlog Music Beat Trailer Showreel Promo Background Intro Theme” by Coma-Media via Pixabayhttps://pixabay.com/music/beats-vlog-music-beat-trailer-showreel-promo-background-intro-theme-274290/Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Office Hours with Liz Wayne wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of Office Hours with Liz Wayne, Liz chats with Amal Shabazz, Ph.D. candidate and National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow in Bioengineering at the University of Maryland, College Park.Amal discusses her research using 3D printing to develop nipple tissue for breast reconstruction, her journey to graduate school, and the mentorship that shaped her path. She also shares advice on balancing research, leadership, and advocacy, setting boundaries, working with advisors, and building meaningful professional connections. Connect with Us:Follow BMES on social media for more conversations like this:Twitter/X: @BMESocietyInstagram: @BmesocietyFacebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)LinkedIn: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)Website: www.bmes.orgFollow Amal Shabazz:Linkedin: @AmalShabazzMusic Credit: “Vlog Music Beat Trailer Showreel Promo Background Intro Theme” by Coma-Media via Pixabayhttps://pixabay.com/music/beats-vlog-music-beat-trailer-showreel-promo-background-intro-theme-274290/Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Office Hours with Liz Wayne wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of Office Hours with Liz Wayne, Liz chats with Dr. Conrad Zapanta ("Dr. Z"), Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, College of Engineering and Teaching Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, to explore the evolving role of higher education. They discuss what universities offer beyond the classroom, how engineering programs are adapting to AI and changing workforce needs, and why community, mentorship, and hands-on learning remain essential in biomedical engineering.Connect with Us:Follow BMES on social media for more conversations like this:Twitter/X: @BMESocietyInstagram: @BmesocietyFacebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)LinkedIn: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)Website: www.bmes.orgFollow Dr. Conrad Zapanta:Linkedin: @ConradZapantaMusic Credit: “Vlog Music Beat Trailer Showreel Promo Background Intro Theme” by Coma-Media via Pixabayhttps://pixabay.com/music/beats-vlog-music-beat-trailer-showreel-promo-background-intro-theme-274290/Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Office Hours with Liz Wayne wherever you get your podcasts.

What does “women’s health” really mean and who gets to define it? In this episode of Office Hours with Liz Wayne, Liz chats with Dr. Erika Moore, Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park, and Dr. Shreya Raghavan, Associate Professor at Texas A&M University, to unpack how biomedical engineers are reshaping the future of women’s health research. From uterine mechanics and cancer mechanobiology to wearable technologies and FDA-cleared health apps, the conversation explores how engineering is driving new discoveries across reproductive health, autoimmune disease, imaging, diagnostics, and beyond. Together, they discuss the evolution of the BMES Women’s Health SIG, the importance of trainee involvement, and why expanding the definition of women’s health could transform healthcare for everyone.Connect with Us:Follow BMES on social media for more conversations like this:Twitter/X: @BMESocietyInstagram: @BmesocietyFacebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)LinkedIn: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)Website: www.bmes.orgLinks to Dr. Erika Moore's Work:Moore LabCell Line-Specific Estrogen Responses Uncover Functional Sex Differences in Murine MacrophagesTRACE: Applying AI Language Models to Extract Ancestry Information From Curated Biomedical LiteratureModeling Uterine Fibroids Using Bioengineered HydrogelsFollow Dr. Erika Moore:Instagram: @MooreLabBMELinkedin: @MooreLabInstagram: @ErikaMooreTaylorTikTok: @DrErikaMooreLinks to Dr. Shreya Raghavan's Work:ElevateHER: Engineering a New Era in Women's HealthFollow Dr. Shreya Raghavan:X: @LabRaghavanLinkedIn: Shreya RaghavanMusic Credit: “Vlog Music Beat Trailer Showreel Promo Background Intro Theme” by Coma-Media via Pixabayhttps://pixabay.com/music/beats-vlog-music-beat-trailer-showreel-promo-background-intro-theme-274290/Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Office Hours with Liz Wayne wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of Office Hours with Liz Wayne, she chats with Dr. Jenny Amos, Teaching Professor in Bioengineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, about what it really means to build a career centered on teaching in academia. From her transition away from a traditional research path to her passion for student engagement, Dr. Amos breaks down the role of teaching faculty and how they shape the classroom experience for future biomedical engineers.They explore topics like active learning, student belonging, and how course design can directly impact retention and success in engineering programs, along with how teaching has evolved in recent years. This conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the impact of great teaching in biomedical engineering.Connect with Us:Follow BMES on social media for more conversations like this:Twitter/X: @BMESocietyInstagram: @BmesocietyFacebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)LinkedIn: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)Website: www.bmes.orgLinks to Dr. Jenny Amos' Work:Jenny Amos ProfileFacilitating the Development of Sessions and Dissemination of Outcomes from the 5th Biomedical Engineering Educational SummitPromoting Teaching‑Focused Faculty in Biomedical Engineering: Education Summit Highlights Best Practices for Professional DevelopmentOverview of Biomedical Engineering Graduate Education LandscapeFollow Dr. Jenny Amos:LinkedIn: Jenny AmosMusic Credit: “Vlog Music Beat Trailer Showreel Promo Background Intro Theme” by Coma-Media via Pixabayhttps://pixabay.com/music/beats-vlog-music-beat-trailer-showreel-promo-background-intro-theme-274290/Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Office Hours with Liz Wayne wherever you get your podcasts.