Grande-Allen named bioengineering society fellow

Jane Grande-Allen has been elected to the Biomedical Engineering Society’s (BMES) Class of 2013 Fellows for her contributions to the field through investigations into the mechanics of heart-valve disease.

Jane Grande-Allen

Grande-Allen, a professor of bioengineering, joined the Rice faculty in 2003. She directs the Integrative Matrix Mechanics Lab at the BioScience Research Collaborative.

Grande-Allen conducts research at the intersection of biology, mechanical engineering and materials engineering. Her investigations analyze heart-valve tissue composition and behavior to pinpoint why, how and where cells interface and respond to disease. The experimental methods involve the testing of valve tissue function, strength and elasticity, growth and abnormalities from nano to macro lengths of scale. Grande-Allen then applies this knowledge of soft-tissue physiology and mechanics to forecast changes in tissue structure and function over the course of a lifetime. Results of her investigations have led to new surgical and medical therapies that can be used to treat patients earlier, have shown new alternatives in drug therapies, and have greatly contributed to the development of novel biomaterials and tissue-engineered materials for heart valves.

BMES serves as the lead society and professional home for biomedical engineering and bioengineering. The organization has nearly 6,500 members. Fellow status is awarded to members who demonstrate exceptional achievements and experience in the field of biomedical engineering.