Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering (CMBE)
Special Interest Group (SIG)

About CMBE-SIG
To maintain its multidisciplinary character and central research focus, the Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering Special Interest Group (CMBE-SIG) is committed to recruiting new people, new ideas, and new activities.
The CMBE-SIG brings together researchers with diverse backgrounds in scientific and clinical interests with a common goal of understanding how physical forces control biological processes and a desire to improve the practice of medicine, human and veterinary, through the results of their research.
All BMES members are welcome to join the CMBE SIG.
Purpose of CMBE-SIG
The stated goals of the CMBE-SIG are:
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To promote interdisciplinary research.
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To advance communication, cooperation, and education with respect to fundamental mechanisms.
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To explore the influence of electrical, magnetic, mechanical, and other physical forces on the biological functions of cells, tissues, and organisms.
CMBE SIG Past Chairs
X. Edward Guo, Yi-Xian Qin, Cheng Dong, Robert Mauck, Elizabeth Loboa, Roland Kaunas, Yingxiao (Peter) Wang, Nadeen Chahine, Deborah Leckband
BMES CMBE Shu Chien Achievement Award
The Shu Chien Achievement Award is bestowed upon an individual who has demonstrated meritorious contributions to the field of cellular and molecular bioengineering as a dedicated BMES Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering (CMBE) Special Interest Group (SIG) award. This Award will be evaluated annually and presented to an individual at the CMBE Annual Conference.
2026 BMES CMBE Conference
CLICK HERE to learn more about the upcoming meeting.
2026 BMES CMBE Awards
CLICK HERE to learn more about submitting an award nomination.
CMBE Rising Star
CLICK HERE for more information and previous winners.
History
The CMBE-SIG was formed in 1980 (independently and under a different name) in response to increasing interest in the bioelectrical interactions in growth, repair, and adaptation. It became a BMES Special Interest Group in 2011.
The original organization, then called the Bioelectrical Repair and Growth Society (BRAGS), enjoyed success due to its membership's multidisciplinary and international composition. The original scientific focus was on electromagnetic processes.
Gradually, it became apparent that the effects of mechanical forces were also significant and, in many cases, closely related to those of magnetic fields. As thermal, acoustic, and other phenomena were described during scientific conferences, it became clear that a wide range of physical processes were related in their effects and must be considered before a complete understanding of physical regulation could be obtained.
During this same period, the clinical areas represented by the organization's membership also broadened. Originally bone and orthopedics provided the main clinical focus. Gradually, as soft tissue and wound studies were reported, the similarity between issues of injury and clinical treatment became apparent. Finally, it became clear that clinical practice in a wide variety of areas could be improved through a better understanding of physical control processes.
CMBE SIG Council
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Officers
SIG Chair: Jenny Jiang
SIG Chair-Elect: Ngan Huang
SIG Past Chair: Stephanie Fraley
Secretary: Ben Cosgrove
Treasurer: Jianping Fu
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Council Members
2025-2026: Riccardo Gottardi, Priscilla Hwang, Sherry Gao, Allen Liu, Claudia Loebel, Aijun Wang
2024-2025: Evangelia Bellas, Stephanie Seidlits, Weiqiang Chen, Riccardo Gottardi, Sherry Gao, Allen Liu
2022-2023: Ben Cosgrove, Evan Scott, Kelly Stevens
2021-2022: Jianping Fu, Jenny Jiang, Stephanie Fraley, Ben Cosgrove, Evan Scott, Kelly Stevens
2020-2021: Jianping Fu, Jenny Jiang, Stephanie Fraley, Sanjay Kumar, Song Li, Wendy Liu
2019-2020: Dennis Discher, Shelly Peyton, Lauren Black, Sanjay Kumar, Song Li, Wendy Liu
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Sub-Committees
Award Committee: Wendy Liu (Chair), Stephanie Fraley (Chair Elect), Guohao Dai (Past Chair)
Communications Committee: Stephanie Seidlits (Chair)
Diversity Committee: Evangelia Bellas (Chair)
Membership Committee: Weiqiang Chen (Chair)
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CMBE Conference chairs
2026: Evangelia Bellas, Elizabeth Wayne
2025: Ngan F. Huang, Keyue Shen
2024: Jenny Jiang, Ben Cosgrove
2023: Dennis Discher, Stephanie Fraley, Jianping Fu
2022: Penney Gilbert, Brenton Hoffman, Wendy Liu
2021: Penney Gilbert, Brenton Hoffman, Kris Saha
2020: Guohao Dai, Adam Feinberg, Leo Wan
CMBE Council Members

Jenny Jiang
SIG Chair
University of Pennsylvania

Evangelia Bellas
2026 CMBE Conference Co-Curator
Temple University

Weiqiang Chen
Chair of Membership Sub-committee & Council Member
NYU

Ben Cosgrove
Secretary
Cornell

Guohao Dai
Past Awards Committee Chair
Northeastern University

Dennis Discher
Ex-Officio Advisor
University of Pennsylvania

Stephanie Fraley
Awards Committee Chair Elect
UC San Diego

Jianping Fu
Treasurer
University of Michigan

Sherry Gao
Council Member
UPenn

Riccardo Gottardi
Council Member
CHOP

Ngan F. Huang
Ngan Huang
Stanford University

Priscilla Hwang
Council Member
Virginia Commonwealth University

Michael King
Ex-Officio Advisor
Vanderbilt University

Allen Liu
Council Member
University of Michigan

Wendy Liu
Awards Committee Chair
University of California, Irvine

Claudia Loebel
Council Member
University of Pennsylvania

Stephanie Seidlits
Chair of Communications Sub-committee & Council Member
UT Austin

Keyue Shen
2025 Conference Co-Chair
USC

Leo Wan
Past Awards Committee Chair
RPI

Aijun Wang
Council Member
UC Davis

Elizabeth Wayne
2026 CMBE Conference Co-Curator
University of Washington