American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering

The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) is a non-profit organization founded in 1991. It represents over 50,000 individuals and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. AIMBE's mission is to provide leadership and advocacy in medical and biological engineering for the benefit of society, acting as a unifying force for the medical and biological engineering community.

Founding and Leadership

AIMBE was founded by Robert M. Nerem, with the goal of addressing public policy issues important to the nation and its people. The current president of AIMBE is Lola Eniola-Adefeso, who will serve from 2024 to 2026. The executive director is Dawn Beraud, Ph.D.

Structure

• College of Fellows: AIMBE's College of Fellows is a prestigious honor that includes over 2,500 individuals who have made significant contributions to medical and biological engineering. Fellows are elected based on their achievements and commitment to the field. They hold positions such as heads of medical and engineering schools, government consultants, and directors of clinical trials. Notable Fellows include Robert S. Langer and Cato T. Laurencin.
• Council of Societies: This council represents 19 member societies that collectively include thousands of engineers, scientists, and scholars involved in medical and biological engineering.
• Academic Council: Consists of 85 academic departments or education programs.
• Industry Council: Comprises corporate leaders from the biomedical engineering field.

Mission and Activities

AIMBE's mission encompasses several key objectives:

• Advocacy: AIMBE communicates with government agencies, Congress, industry, academia, and professional societies to advocate for medical and biological engineering.
• Public Policy: AIMBE contributes to public policy-making to advance medical and biological engineering.
• Investment and Innovation: It works to ensure appropriate private and public investment in translational research and innovation.
• Education and Inspiration: AIMBE inspires, educates, and involves young people who will be future leaders in the field.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: It promotes cooperation within the medical and biological engineering community.
• Recognition: AIMBE recognizes and honors individual and group achievements.

Partnerships and Impact

AIMBE has a partnership with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through a Network of Experts Agreement and the FDA Scholars Program. This program places postdoctorates at the FDA to serve as expert advisors. AIMBE's advocacy has contributed to the passage of significant legislation such as the Biomaterials Availability Act in 1998 and the establishment of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) at the National Institutes of Health.

Annual Meeting

AIMBE hosts an annual meeting in Washington, D.C., to showcase scientific and technological advancements and to discuss public policy implementation strategies.