UF to hold inaugural Biomaterials Day

March 15, 2012

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida’s first Biomaterials Day will feature prominent Gator alumni entrepreneurs from across the United States form 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday in the Reitz Student Union Grand Ballroom. Registration and breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m.

The one-day symposium will feature various oral presentations and two poster sessions for students to showcase their research and compete for a $100 cash prize. Highlighted speakers include John Sheets, senior vice president of research at Boston Scientific who will discuss the challenges of turning academic research into usable products, and Larry Hench, the inventor of Bioglass.

The event is the first of its kind at UF, which received an award from the National Society of Biomaterials to hold the symposium, said Anthony Brennan, adviser to UF’s Student Society of Biomaterials and professor of biomedical engineering.

Biomaterials interact with a biological system, such as hip implants or syringes. The event will feature leaders in the industry to share their insights on the development of biomaterials.

Students will get a chance to present posters on their recent research, which will be judged and eligible for a cash prize. First-, second- and third-place awards will be granted to students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

For more information, visit http://www.ufbiomaterials.org/1_7_Biomaterials-Day.htm.