Yihai Cao new fellow and member of the American Institute of Medicine and Biological Engineering (AIMBE)

Professor Yihai Cao, from the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, was nominated, reviewed, and elected by peers and members of the College of Fellows for his pioneering contributions to angiogenesis research.

Congratulations to the induction! Could you tell us a little more about AIMBE?

"The College of Fellows is comprised of the top two percent of the most accomplished and distinguished engineering and medical school chairs, research directors, professors, innovators, and successful entrepreneurs. AIMBE Fellows are regularly recognized for their contributions in teaching, research, and innovation and they have been awarded the Nobel Prize, the Presidential Medal of Science and the Presidential Medal of Technology and Innovation and many also are members of the National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Medicine, and the National Academy of Sciences.” 

Does this mean you become Fellow of AIMBE for life?

“This is a lifetime honour and recognition. The members and fellows are role models to inspire professionals, young scientists, and the general public.”

The elected members will serve the public and governmental bodies with the following goals:

• Communicate objectively with, and respond to, U.S. and state government agencies, Congress, industry, academia, and professional societies by advocating and providing service to the public via medical and biological engineering
• Contribute to public policymaking to advance medical and biological engineering and benefit the general public
• Work to ensure appropriate private and public investment to advance medical and biological engineering translational research and innovation
• Inspire, educate, and involve young people who will be the future leaders of medical and biological engineering
• Promote intersociety and multi-disciplinary cooperation within the medical and biological engineering community
• Recognize and honour individual and group achievements and contributions to the field of medical and biological engineering

What does this mean for you and for your research?

“I am thrilled to receive the surprising news. I am also deeply honoured for receiving this prestigious recognition because there are so many outstanding scientists who are working in the field of medicine and biological engineering.”

“I am extremely grateful and the AIMBE fellow title will be a new milestone for my career development, to perform ground-breaking research with the overarching goal to improve human health.” 

“This recognition will inspire me to continue pursuing high-quality biomedical research, which, I strongly believe, will lead to development of new and effective medicines for effectively treating various human diseases.”

A formal ceremony will be held at the AIMBE’s 2021 Annual Event on March 26 during which 175 fellows will be inducted, making up for the AIMBE Fellow Class of 2021.