BME Undergraduates Place First at Research Forum

On March 30, 2016, more than 90 College of Engineering students participated in the Richard J. and Martha Denman Undergraduate Research Forum. An Ohio State tradition for 21 years, the competitively judged forum enables students to present their research in a professional setting. BME students Sam Goldman and Lahiru Wimalasena each placed first for their reserach efforts. 

Biomedical Engineering senior Sam Goldman was awarded first place in the engineering category. Sam's project was titled: "Testing the Ability of Clinical X-Ray Computed Tomography to Quantify Robusticity of Human Ribs." His research investigated if using clinical CT scans could accurately yield the same results as the high-resolution microscopy method. Sam will be graduating this May and plans to attend either the University of Michigan or University of Sourthern California to pursue a Ph.D.

BME and Biochemistry junior Lahiru Wimalasena placed first in the biological sciences category. Lahiru's research was titled: "Characterization of an inner-ear tip link fragment through structural determination and centrifuge force microscopy." It foucuses on understanding the structure of the protein Protocadherin-15 that is essential for hearing. Through understanding this structure and dynamics of the protein, researchers can further understand its function and why it is responsible for mechanotransduction (conversion of mechanical forces to electrical signals for the brain) in the inner ear. This is Lahiru's second time winning 1st place at the Denman Research Forum. He is a fourth year student, but will be taking a fifth year to finish his double major in BME and Biochemistry. After graduation, Lahiru plans to attend graduate school for either Biomedical Engineering or Applied Physics (Biophysics/Structural Biology).

Congratulations, Sam and Lahiru!!