RENA BIZIOS, PHD
University of Texas at San Antonio
William Procter Prize for Scientific Achievement
For being a true leader and visionary of modern materials, biomedical and chemical sciences, and engineering.
Biography
Dr. Rena Bizios, a chemical/biomedical engineer by training, has pursued a career in academia. She is now the Lutcher Brown Endowed Chair Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at San Antonio, in San Antonio, TX.
Professor Bizios has taught various undergraduate and graduate fundamental engineering and biomedical engineering courses as well as developed new courses for biomedical engineering curricula.
Her research interests include cellular and tissue engineering, tissue regeneration, biomaterials (including nanostructured ones) and biocompatibility. She has co-authored a textbook (entitled An Introduction to Tissue-Biomaterial Interactions), co-edited a book (Biological Interactions on Material Surfaces: Understanding and Controlling Protein, Cell and Tissue Responses), authored/co-authored scientific publications and book chapters, and is co-inventor of several patents/disclosures. She has given numerous presentations at scientific conferences and invited seminars/lectures in academic institutions and industry. She has also organized and/or co-chaired numerous symposia and sessions at regional, national, and international conferences. Professor Bizios is a member, and has been an active participant (including elected officer positions) in several professional societies. She is a member of the Editorial Board of five scientific/engineering journals. Professor Bizios has participated in various national-level review committees and has served on numerous departmental, School/College of Engineering and Institute/University committees.
To date, Professor Bizios’ contributions to research and education-related accomplishments have been recognized by the following: Rensselaer Alumni Association Teaching Award; Clemson Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Literature from the Society for Biomaterials; Distinguished Scientist Award from the Houston Society for Engineering in Medicine and Biology; Women’s Initiatives Mentorship Excellence Award from The American Institute of Chemical Engineers; Founders Award from the Society for Biomaterials; Theo C. Pilkington Outstanding Educator Award from the Biomedical Engineering Division, American Society for Engineering Education; election as Charter Member of the Academy of Distinguished Researchers, the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA); Amber Award from the UTSA Ambassadors; Excellence in STEM Education Award from the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering; Excellence in Biomaterials Science Award from the Surfaces in Biomaterials Foundation; and the Award for Innovation in Healthcare and Bioscience from the BioMed SA, San Antonio, TX.
Professor Bizios is Fellow of five professional societies, specifically, the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), International Union of Societies for Biomaterials Science and Engineering (IUSBES), Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). She is also member of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering, Science and Technology (TAMEST), International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering (IAMBE), Academy of Athens, Greece, National Academy of Inventors (NAI), and of the National Academy of Engineering.