The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) recently announced the election of Umut Gurkan, the Warren E. Rupp Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, to its College of Fellows. 

Gurkan will be formally inducted at the AIMBE’s virtual ceremony Friday, March 25. 

“An exceptionally accomplished researcher and engineer, Prof. Gurkan exceeds in every measure of productivity and translational impact,” said Venkataramanan “Ragu” Balakrishnan, the Charles H. Phipps Dean of the Case School of Engineering. “Gurkan has dedicated this considerable talent to finding solutions that address health disparities that disproportionately affect minority and under-resourced populations, such as sickle cell disease. His work has led to new biomedical microtechnologies that improve patients’ access to timely diagnosis and personalized monitoring of emerging therapies, with potential for profound human impact in communities of need. I am delighted to see his work recognized by the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.”

A prolific researcher, Gurkan investigates “hemoglobin, red blood cells, blood rheology and microcirculation in health and disease and with targeted therapies and gene-based cures.” With an eye toward translation, five of his patents have been licensed and/or commercialized.

Gurkan’s work has resulted in numerous accolades, including election as a senior fellow of National Academy of Inventors in 2020.

About the AIMBE

The College of Fellows is composed of the top 2% of medical and biological engineers. College membership honors those who 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 or developing/implementing innovative approaches to bioengineering education.”

Download the press release.