The roots of Rice Department of Bioengineering’s leadership run deep in the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), starting with the founding department chair Larry McIntire, who served as BMES President 30 years ago.
Jane Grande-Allen, Isabel C. Cameron Professor of Bioengineering, has been named the 2025 BMES President-Elect. She began her term at the 2025 BMES Annual Meeting Oct. 8–12 in San Diego, Calif.
BMES is the premier professional community for biomedical engineering innovation and excellence, with more than 6,700 members. Grande-Allen will serve one year as President-Elect, two years as the society’s President, and one year as Past President.
“I am excited to work on a range of activities that support the entire BMES community,” said Grande-Allen. “I would especially like to focus on strengthening biomedical engineering career opportunities for trainees, connecting research-focused academics with industry, and growing our impact in biomedical engineering education.”
Grande-Allen has held leadership roles with BMES for more than 15 years, including serving as an elected Board Member, BMES Secretary, and chair of multiple committees. In 2024, she was recognized for her commitment to the organization with the society’s Herbert Voigt Distinguished Service Award.
“I have been a member of BMES since I was a doctoral student, and I have been inspired by past BMES leadership—including Kyriacos Athanasiou, who served as BMES President when he was on faculty at Rice,” said Grande-Allen. “I've developed lasting friendships and professional relationships within BMES. This community is truly a home for me.”
Grande-Allen’s research focuses on developing biomaterials and bioreactors to study cardiovascular and intestinal mechanobiology. She also investigates how disease and aging affect the extracellular matrix and mechanical properties of heart valves.
In addition to her membership with BMES, Grande-Allen is a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering; the American Heart Association's Council on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology; the Society for Experimental Mechanics; the American Association for the Advancement of Science; and the International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering.
Grande-Allen will build on the success of Past President Cynthia Reinhart-King, department chair and John W. Cox Chair of Bioengineering at Rice University. During her presidency, Reinhart-King raised the visibility of BMES and expanded its reach as a leading voice within both the scientific community and the broader public.
“BMES has been the home for biomedical engineering research in the academic sector for several decades, but as President, my goal was to expand the direction of BMES to result in a much more outward facing organization,” said Reinhart-King. “Never has it been more important to communicate the importance of science and to bring all the stakeholders to the table, and I believe BMES is now in the ideal position to do that.”
Reinhart-King previously served as the BMES Secretary, an elected Board Member, and National Meeting Program Chair. She has received several accolades from BMES, including the Rita Schaffer Young Investigator Award, the inaugural Mid-Career Award, and the 2025 Herbert Voigt Distinguished Service Award.
A pioneer in cellular mechanobiology, Reinhart-King’s lab has made multiple fundamental discoveries on the role of cellular forces and tissue mechanical properties in disease progression. She is also a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering and the International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering.
As Reinhart-King passes the baton to Grande-Allen, they share a vision of continued momentum for the biomedical engineering community.
“Jane Grande-Allen has a long track record of being a supportive, enabling leader and her election to BMES President is a testament to that,” said Reinhart-King. “She and I share a deep commitment to the field of biomedical engineering and its members, and we genuinely enjoy building and promoting our scientific community.”