Lydia Contreras Elected Fellow of American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering

The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) elected Associate Professor Lydia Contreras to its prestigious College of Fellows at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 25.

The AIMBE is a nonprofit organization representing the most accomplished individuals in the fields of medical and biological engineering. Its College of Fellows is comprised of over 1,500 members, all of whom have made outstanding contributions to “engineering and medicine research, practice or education” and to “the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of medical and biological engineering.”

Contreras was recognized for her outstanding contributions to the innovation/engineering of RNAs as in vivo sensors of cellular states. In her current research, Contreras combines biomolecular engineering, genetic studies and computational modeling to better understand the molecular features that lead to the specific recognition and interaction of RNAs and proteins in order to find new applications for medical drug delivery, treatments for infectious diseases and more.

AIMBE fellows change people’s lives for the better by helping to revolutionize medicine and related fields, improving health care and increasing the life expectancy of people the world over. In addition to their contributions to biological and medical research, they are proven influencers — inspiring change in attitudes, cultures and policies so that research and business communities can effectively pursue the interests of engineers, scientists and, ultimately, patients.

Contreras is one of 157 newly elected members this year, an exclusive group that represents the most accomplished top 2 percent of medical and biological engineers in the country.

Tags: AIMBE, AIMBE Fellows 2019, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, Lydia Contreras