BMES at ASU expands student development
The Biomedical Engineering Society chapter connects aspiring engineers with opportunities to innovate and lead
From left to right: Esther Low, Chiya Goyal, Naina Misra, Selma Vazquez and Sofia Campagnuolo, officers of the Biomedical Engineering Society chapter at Arizona State University, at the Annual Biomedical Engineering Society Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland. Photo courtesy of the Biomedical Engineering Society at ASU
The Biomedical Engineering Society, or BMES, at Arizona State University, is a dynamic organization built for students passionate about exploring the intersection of medicine, technology and biomedical engineering. As ASU’s only professional society for biomedical engineering, BMES offers invaluable networking opportunities and direct communication with industry leaders in innovation.
BMES reached a significant milestone this year in securing its first corporate sponsorship with Becton Dickinson, or BD, a global leader in medical technology and biomedical device manufacturing. The partnership with BD marks a new chapter for BMES, providing critical funding to support student initiatives, sponsor events and expand the organization’s reach.
This sponsorship enabled the club to represent the ASU student chapter at the 2024 BMES Annual Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland. The BMES Annual Meeting fosters engagement with professionals through participation in workshops and exploration into the latest developments in biomedical engineering.
Naina Misra, president of ASU BMES, is a senior in Barrett, The Honors College and studies biomedical engineering within the School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU.
As sitting president, Misra plays a key role in leading the organization and facilitating opportunities for students to connect with industry professionals, engage in research and further their education in the field.
“Attending the 2024 BMES Annual Meeting this year was an amazing experience for myself and the four other BMES officers. We networked with student clubs, connected with ASU students and faculty members presenting their research, and attended sessions,” Misra says. “Overall, the conference was a great way to connect with nationwide leaders in BME, academia and entrepreneurship.”
BMES Fulton Relations Director Esther Low, who is a junior earning degrees in biomedical engineering and global health, has been helping to foster strong connections between students and other Fulton Schools organizations.
“Last year was both successful and my first year on the board of directors,” Low says. “I learned about leadership, networking and the ASU biomedical engineering community as a whole.”
Sofia Campagnuolo, the public relations director for BMES and a biomedical engineering junior, also attended the 2024 BMES Annual Meeting in Baltimore during her second term as an officer. The meeting allowed her to explore potential career paths as she approached graduation.
“I have always been drawn to prosthetics, but the diverse lectures expanded my view to include wearable sensors to nerve stimulation,” Campagnuolo says. “I’m grateful to showcase our chapter’s impactful work and share incredible experiences with our members and faculty.”
Biomedical engineering junior Selma Vazquez, the vice president of BMES, says that the conference experience was more than just a networking opportunity for her; it was a chance to explore new facets of biomedical engineering and connect with a community of like-minded individuals.
“What stood out was the strong sense of community and shared purpose,” Vazquez says. “It was inspiring to see so many passionate individuals committed toward improving health care and making a difference in people’s lives.”
With a variety of exciting events and opportunities on the horizon, BMES is looking forward to continued growth within the biomedical engineering program and beyond.
Beyond professional development, BMES creates a vibrant community through student involvement in social events, community service projects and a mentorship program dedicated to supporting incoming first-year students. Since last year, the organization’s membership has grown nearly 30%, including recruited students and mentors for the BMES mentorship program.
Chiya Goyal, the peer engagement director of ASU BMES and a biomedical engineering junior, shares that on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, BMES will host a social event for its mentorship program, providing mentors and mentees a valuable opportunity to connect and share resources.
“BMES is a top choice for students in biomedical engineering and other health care fields, and it’s open to all majors,” Goyal says.
