The Center for Biomedical Engineering Systems

First Annual Graduate Poster Competition

The Center for Biomedical Engineering Systems (CBES) at UNC Charlotte held its FIRST Graduate Student Poster Competition on April 7, 2009. The competition had 22-poster presentations from7-different departments (Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biology, Nanoscale Science, Biology, Computer Science, and Physics & Optical Science). Woodward Hall served as the host building for the event. CBES offered cash prizes of $750 for First Place, $500 for Second Place, and $250 for Third Place for the event. The Winners and their advisors were:

STUDENT POSTER COMPETITION PARTICIPANTS

FIRST PRIZE WINNER: Elizabeth Warner (Advisors: Drs. Iain McKillop and Laura Schrum) Silibinin inhibits CYP2E1-dependent ethanol metabolism and oxidative stress in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells - Exposure of rat and human cells to ethanol leads to increased probability of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this work, researchers demonstrate inhibited ethanol methabolism and ROS/oxidative stress via the pretreatment of cells with silibinin. This indicates that silibinin, an extract from milk thistle, may provide a decreased onset of some forms of cancer.

SECOND PRIZE WINNER: Gengbei Shi (Advisor: Dr. Robin Coger) Enhancing Human Liver Cell Performance by Manipulating Oxygen Delivery - Liver replacement devices are used as temporary alternatives to liver donor candidates following acute liver failure. In this work, researchers have shown that exposure of liver cells to perfluorocarbons (PFC) increases oxygen transport throughout aqueous solutions as compared to control samples. Oxygen solubility of PFC's suggests that this may be a method for improving liver replacement devices, thus improving the relative health of individuals waiting for a liver transplant.

THIRD PRIZE WINNER: Christopher Cilip (Advisor: Dr. Nathaniel Fried) Noninvasive Laser Male Sterilization - Researchers explore a noninvasive approach to male sterilization using a ytterbium fiber laser which operates in the infrared. The technique allows for no contact with the patient and results in thermal coagulation of the tissue with no evidence of thermal damage to the skin. Initial experiments have been performed on canine tissue.

Highlights from CBES' Spring 2009 Poster Competition

Student Travel Awards Program

Marketing Yourself for Your Biomedical Career
Workshop