BME’s External Advisory Board (EAB)

The U-M Biomedical Engineering Department’s External Advisory Board (BME EAB) is a distinguished group of alumni and friends of the department who are committed to BME’s goal of solving important challenges in medicine and the life sciences to the benefit of humanity. 

The BME EAB provides advice and support on key departmental priorities including: the student experience, research excellence, clinical translation, diversity, alumni engagement and industry engagement. 

The EAB meets bi-annually to discuss strategic priorities and opportunities for BME at Michigan.

External Advisory Board 2023-2024

Samuel Achilefu, Ph.D.

Professor and Lyda Hill Distinguished University Chair in Biomedical Engineering 

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Email: Samuel.Achilefu@UTSouthwestern.edu


Victoria Augustine, M.S.E.

Acting Director, Office of Patent Automation (OPA), USPTO; Supervisory Patent Examiner,

USPTO

Email:Victoria.Augustine@uspto.gov


Robert DeRyke, M.B.A.

President and CEO,

Terumo Cardiovascular Group Executive Officer,

Terumo Corporation

Email: Robert.deryke@terumomedical.com


Caroline Dugopolski, M.S.

Caroline Dugopolski

VP of Program Management, Quality and Technical Operations,

Cellino

Email: carodugo@gmail.com


David Knapp, Ph.D.

Vice President R&D, Vascular

Boston Scientific

President, Boston Scientific Foundation

Email: David.Knapp@bsi.com


Scott Merz, Ph.D.

President and CEO,

MC3 Cardiopulmonary

Email: merz@mc3corp.com


Aftin Ross, Ph.D.

Deputy Division Director (Acting)

Division of All Hazards Response, Science and Strategic Partnerships (DARSS),

Office of Strategic Partnerships & Technology Innovation (OST),

Center for Devices and Radiological Health

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Email: Aftin.Ross@fda.hhs.gov


Jason Weidman, M.B.A.

SVP and President

Coronary & Renal Denervation

Medtronic

Email: jason.r.weidman@medtronic.com


Erin West Ferrell, Ph.D.

Director, Toxins Strategic Projects

AbbVie

Email: erinwfarrell@gmail.com


Desmond Yeo, Ph.D. 

Technology Manager 

MRI & Superconducting Magnets

GE Research – Healthcare

Email: yeot@ge.com