In this episode of Office Hours, Liz Wayne talks with Shelly Sakiyama‑Elbert, Vice Dean, Research and Graduate Education, Professor of Bioengineering at University of Washington, and President of the Biomedical Engineering Society.

From nerve regeneration and stem cell biology to academic leadership and professional service, Sakiyama-Elbert shares how she balances research, mentorship, and administration while helping shape the future of biomedical engineering. Together, Wayne and Sakiyama-Elbert unpack what it really means to build strong academic ecosystems, lead with purpose, and support the next generation of engineers in a rapidly changing world.

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Twitter/X: @BMESociety
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Facebook: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
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Follow Dr. Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert's:
Linkedin: @Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert

Links to Dr. Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert's Work:
The Sakiyama-Elbert Lab
The Office of Research & Graduate Education

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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.

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Twitter/X: @BMESociety
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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
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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.

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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
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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.

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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
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Dr. Liz Wayne, Office Hours Host, is joined by Dr. Jessica Winter, Distinguished Professor of Engineering at The Ohio State University, as they explore how technology becomes life-changing diagnostics. Winter shares how quantum dot “tighter and brighter” labels are making leukemia and lymphoma testing faster and more sensitive, why earlier detection saves lives, and how her own breast cancer diagnosis sharpened her mission. They discuss teaming up with clinicians, and training the next generation to design with patients in mind. Plus: a “World Without BME” segment that reminds us why biomedical engineering touches everything.

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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. Jessica Winter's:
Bluesky: @jessicaowinter.bsky.social‬
Twitter/X: @Jessica Winter

Links to Jessica Winter's Work:
go.osu.edu/winterlab

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.

Dr. Liz Wayne, Office Hours Host, is joined by Dr. Mete Civelek, Professor of Molecular Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he breaks down how our genes shape health. From DNA stability and protein coding to genetic variants linked to cardiometabolic disease, they explore the science driving precision medicine. The conversation dives into the power of genetic testing, the need for diverse datasets, and the ethical challenges of protecting data, showcasing how biomedical engineering is pushing healthcare into the future.

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. Mete Civelek:
Bluesky: @metecivelek.bsky.social
Twitter/X: @mete_civelek
Linkedin: @Mete Civelek

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.

Dr. Liz Wayne taps in on her wide network of friends and contacts to discuss some of the most important, and often controversial, topics surrounding biomedical engineering, and related areas shaping healthcare. Wayne, an Assistant Professor at the University of Washington and host of our monthly webinar, unpacks today’s most pressing scientific topics and explores how biomedical engineers are building a healthier, more equitable world, one discovery at a time.

In our first episode, Wayne speaks with Dr. Jenny Robinson, an associate professor at the University of Washington, about sports injuries and the future of tissue regeneration. Robinson shares insights into how sex hormones influence healing, with a focus on female athletes and the high rate of ACL injuries among women. Among other topics, she also talks about the limitations of current treatments like autografts and allografts and explores how biomaterials could revolutionize recovery. Don’t miss our first scintillating episode.

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. Jenny Robinson:
Twitter/X: @Prof_JRobinson
Linkedin: @Jenny Robinson, Ph.D.

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.

Welcome to the Office Hours podcast, brought to you by the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)! In this special preview episode, host Dr. Liz Wayne gives listeners a glimpse into what’s to come—from candid conversations with BME leaders to unexpected insights about life in and out of the lab.

Hear about the vision behind the show, what kinds of guests and topics you can expect, and why now is the perfect time for these kinds of conversations in biomedical engineering.

Follow along and join the community:
@BMESociety on Instagram and X
@Biomedical Engineering Society on Facebook and Linkedin

Subscribe, share, and stay tuned. The first full episode drops soon!