Students who are enrolled in biomedical engineering degree programs, and are interested in advancing their education outside the classroom, can benefit from participating in national competitions. Through these events, future degree holders may have the opportunity to work with peers and industry experts from all over the country and be eligible to win financial assistance.
For example, the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA) announced the winners of the sixth annual Biomedical Engineering Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship Award (BMEidea) competition. This event invites biomedical engineering students nationwide to work in teams and build products that could lead to technological advancements in this field.
This year's first-place team was awarded $10,000, and recognized for their invention that would make giving medications to cardiovascular patients in ambulances more efficient. The device, developed by a team from Johns Hopkins University, could improve the survival rates of patients who have suffered from heart-related health complications.
Phil Weilerstein, executive director of the NCIIA, stated that "this year's student teams show tremendous potential to positively impact healthcare practices." He added that "we are excited to support them as they move forward with their innovations."
During then next eight years, employment of biomedical engineers is expected to grow by 72 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports.
