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Office Hours

Office Hours

Written by: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
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About this listen

Now more than ever, it’s essential to engage the public in the work of biomedical engineers, especially those advancing science and medicine from within universities.

To help bridge that gap, BMES has launched a new podcast platform that takes listeners inside the world of biomedical engineering, from the day-to-day lives of researchers to the long-term innovations shaping the future of healthcare.

Office Hours with Liz Wayne is the first show, hosted by Dr. Liz Wayne, Assistant Professor at the University of Washington. Tune in as Dr. Wayne explores some of the most pressing topics in science and medicine, breaking them down in thoughtful, accessible conversations.

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Episodes
  • Pregnancy as an Engineering Process — A Conversation with Dr. Michelle Oyen
    Dec 23 2025

    Dr. Liz Wayne, host of the Office Hours podcast, is joined by Dr. Michelle Oyen, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Wayne State University, for an in-depth discussion on pregnancy through an engineering lens. Oyen shares how biomechanics, materials science, and data analysis are transforming our understanding of pregnancy, from placental development to preterm birth—the leading cause of neonatal mortality worldwide. Together, they explore the mechanical properties of the amniotic sac, how environmental factors like atmospheric pressure can influence birth outcomes, and why pregnancy remains one of the most understudied areas in medicine. The conversation highlights both the challenges of researching pregnancy and the powerful role biomedical engineering can play in advancing women’s and maternal health.

    Connect with Us:
    Follow BMES on social media for more conversations like this:
    Twitter/X: @BMESociety
    Instagram: @Bmesociety
    Facebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
    LinkedIn: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
    Website: www.bmes.org

    Follow Dr. Michelle Oyen's:
    Linkedin: @Michelle Oyen

    Links to Michelle Oyen's Work:

    Engineering is Pregnant with Possibilities

    Virtual Pregnancies: Predicting and Preventing Pregnancy Complications with Digital Twins

    FDA Modernization Act 2.0 and Reproductive Research

    As Mentioned on the Episode:
    America’s Stillbirth Crisis: Before a Breath | FULL DOCUMENTARY

    Music Credit: “Vlog Music Beat Trailer Showreel Promo Background Intro Theme” by Coma-Media via Pixabay
    https://pixabay.com/music/beats-vlog-music-beat-trailer-showreel-promo-background-intro-theme-274290/

    Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Office Hours with Liz Wayne wherever you get your podcasts.

    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
  • Engineering Accessible Diagnostics — A Conversation with Dr. Ayokunle Olanrewaju
    Nov 25 2025

    Dr. Liz Wayne, host of the Office Hours podcast, is joined by Dr. Ayokunle Olanrewaju, Assistant Professor of Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Washington, for a conversation on how microfluidics is transforming the landscape of accessible diagnostics. Dr. Olanrewaju explains the potential of microfluidic technologies in creating user-friendly diagnostic tests and discusses the fabrication challenges that often hinder progress. Drawing from his upbringing in Nigeria, Dr. Olanrewaju shares why accessible diagnostics matter deeply to him, emphasizing the importance of designing solutions that align with real-world needs. He also offers insight into his ongoing projects, including antiviral drug monitoring platforms and collaborations with researchers across disciplines to advance global health innovation.

    Connect with Us:
    Follow BMES on social media for more conversations like this:
    Twitter/X: @BMESociety
    Instagram: @Bmesociety
    Facebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
    LinkedIn: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
    Website: www.bmes.org

    Follow Dr. Ayokunle Olanrewaju's:
    Bluesky: @olan.bsky.social
    Linkedin: @Ayokunle O.

    Links to Ayokunle Olanrewaju's Work:
    Dr. Olanrewaju Lab
    Olanrewaju earns NIH Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award
    microTAStic: Ayo Olanrewaju on POC Dx to Monitor Antiretroviral Drugs

    Music Credit: “Vlog Music Beat Trailer Showreel Promo Background Intro Theme” by Coma-Media via Pixabay
    https://pixabay.com/music/beats-vlog-music-beat-trailer-showreel-promo-background-intro-theme-274290/

    Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Office Hours with Liz Wayne wherever you get your podcasts.

    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • How BME is Redefining Recovery — A Conversation with Dr. Collin Bowersock
    Oct 28 2025

    Dr. Liz Wayne, host of the Office Hours Host podcast, is joined by Dr. Collin Bowersock, Principal Scientist at Human Performance and Nutrition Research Institute at Oklahoma State University, to discuss the mechanics of human movement and the future of rehabilitation engineering. Bowersock dives into his research on motor control, spinal cord injury recovery, and adaptive devices designed to support individuals with cerebral palsy and other movement disorders. They explore how personalized rehabilitation, AI-driven insights, and emerging gene-editing technologies are reshaping care.

    Connect with Us:
    Follow BMES on social media for more conversations like this:
    Twitter/X: @BMESociety
    Instagram: @Bmesociety
    Facebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
    LinkedIn: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
    Website: www.bmes.org

    Follow Dr. Collin Bowersock:
    Linkedin: @Collin Bowersock

    Links to Dr. Bowersock's Work:

    Work with Early Running and Biomechanics

    1. Independent Effects of Step Length and Foot Strike Pattern on Tibiofemoral Joint Forces During Running
    2. Reduced Step Length Reduces Knee Joint Contact Forces During Running Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction but Does Not Alter Inter-Limb Asymmetry

    Work with Spinal Cord Rehabilitation

    1. Standing Reactive Postural Responses of Lower Limbs With and Without Self-Balance Assistance in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury Receiving Epidural Stimulation
    2. Robotic Upright Stand Trainer (RobUST) and Postural Control in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury

    Work with Exoskeletons

    1. Differential and Adjustable Stiffness Leaf Spring Ankle Foot Orthoses Enhance Gait Propulsion and Task Versatility in Cerebral Palsy
    2. Feasibility of Using Autonomous Ankle Exoskeletons to Augment Community Walking in Cerebral Palsy
    3. A Lightweight Powered Elbow Exoskeleton for Manual Handling Tasks

    Music Credit: “Vlog Music Beat Trailer Showreel Promo Background Intro Theme” by Coma-Media via Pixabay
    https://pixabay.com/music/beats-vlog-music-beat-trailer-showreel-promo-background-intro-theme-274290/

    Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Office Hours with Liz Wayne wherever you get your podcasts.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 8 mins
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