President’s Newsletter
Now more than ever, leaders in medical and biological engineering research must have a voice at the policy table to ensure the continued strength and competitiveness of our biomedical enterprise globally.
Lola Eniola-Adefeso, Ph.D.
President (2024-2026)
About Dr. Lola Eniola-Adefeso
President’s Newsletters
Dear AIMBE Community,
We are living through a pivotal moment for medical and biological engineering, and for science more broadly. The political environment surrounding research is increasingly uncertain, with agencies and institutions under heightened scrutiny, shifting priorities, and growing misunderstandings about the scientific enterprise. In this climate, ensuring that policymakers hear from experts like you is not just important, it is essential.
Advocacy: A Core Responsibility in Today’s Environment
Every discovery in our field depends on a strong and stable policy foundation, one that supports federal research investment, fosters innovation, protects scientific integrity, and ensures that evidence-based decision-making guides national health priorities. Yet these foundations are being tested.
That is why your engagement matters so profoundly. When you share how policy affects your research, explain the importance of foundational science, or communicate your work to the public, you help safeguard the future of biomedical innovation. You help counter misinformation. You help ensure that the next generation of scientific breakthroughs remains possible.
Meeting the Moment: How We Are Mobilizing the Community
In recent months, AIMBE has focused on giving you the tools, access, and platforms to make your voices heard:
- Public Engagement Training
We expanded science-communication workshops and message-crafting tools to help Fellows and trainees confidently explain their work to the public and counter growing misconceptions about research. - Letter-Writing Efforts
We organized coordinated letter-writing campaigns to mobilize expert perspectives during critical policy windows, making it easier for you to respond quickly and effectively when your voice is needed. - Hill Briefings, Meetings & Agency Tours
We facilitated briefings, congressional meetings, and visits to NIH and FDA so policymakers could see firsthand how biomedical engineering research works—and what is at risk if support for it erodes. - Advocacy at Scientific Conferences
We brought public engagement and advocacy training to scientific meetings across the country, recognizing that empowering the broader research community is key to preserving a strong research ecosystem.
Your Engagement Is the Force Behind Our Collective Impact
The challenges facing science and engineering will not disappear on their own. They require a research community that is informed, visible, and vocal.
Here are meaningful ways you can continue helping to defend research:
Attend AIMBE’s policy briefings and public engagement trainings
Participate in calls for expert input or advocacy actions
Share these tools with colleagues and trainees who may be new to advocacy
Communicate your science—to policymakers, to the public, and within your institutions and organizations
This moment calls for courage, clarity, and community. Together, we can ensure that scientific progress continues to drive better health, deeper understanding, and a more innovative future.
Thank you for bringing your expertise and your voice to this effort.
Warm regards,
Lola
AIMBE President
Dean of Engineering
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
University of Illinois Chicago
American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE)
1400 I Street NW, Suite 235, Washington, DC 20005
Dear AIMBE Fellows,
Just a few weeks ago I had the privilege of joining many of you in Chicago for AIMBE’s latest Regional Event. It was an energizing afternoon that reminded us why our work matters and why our voices are needed now more than ever. We were proud to welcome AIMBE Fellows from across Illinois and neighboring states, along with local legislative staff, for an inspiring showcase of biomedical and medtech innovations. Through compelling demonstrations and powerful conversations, we highlighted the groundbreaking research happening at the intersection of engineering, biology, and medicine.
The event concluded with a vibrant reception, where scientists, engineers, industry leaders, and policymakers connected over shared goals and a unified vision: harnessing innovation to improve human health.
This regional gathering served as a timely reminder and call to action that advocacy doesn’t just happen in Washington, it starts right where we live and work. Our neighbors, local leaders, and families must hear from us. They deserve to know how biomedical research improves lives, drives local economies, and fuels the next generation of innovation.
Right now, the very future of biomedical research is at risk. Proposed federal budget cuts to science agencies could drastically undermine the progress we’ve made and threaten the infrastructure that supports our work.
We must act.
That’s why I’m urging you to take part in AIMBE’s new Congressional letter campaign on citizen advocates for science, a tool designed for the public, who are our friends and families, to send a clear message to policymakers: support science, don’t weaken it.
I’m calling on every AIMBE Fellow to share this campaign widely—across your networks, within your institutions, and especially with friends and family. In addition to spreading the word, we must also start sharing our stories, telling how our work impacts patients, communities, and the future of medicine. The public and policymakers alike need to hear directly from us.
Let’s continue to lead, not only in the lab, but in public discourse about science and innovation.
Sincerely,
AIMBE President
Dean of Engineering
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
University of Illinois Chicago
American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE)
1400 I Street NW, Suite 235, Washington, DC 20005
Dear AIMBE Fellows,
I hope this message finds you well. I am reaching out today to provide an important update on a matter that stands to impact the future of biomedical and biological engineering research—the proposed reorganization of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
As many of you are aware, Congress has suggested a significant structural reorganization of NIH, a move purported to focus on increasing efficiency and improving public health outcomes. While this restructuring is still in the early stages, there are potential changes that could profoundly affect how the biomedical research community, including the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), operates within NIH’s framework.
What is AIMBE Doing?
AIMBE is closely monitoring the situation and actively engaging with NIH leadership to ensure that the voices of our Fellows—and the broader medical and biological engineering communities—are heard throughout this process. Here are some of the steps we are taking:
- Advocacy and Representation
AIMBE is representing the interests of our community in conversations with NIH officials and key stakeholders. We have submitted formal comments and are participating in discussions that emphasize the critical role of NIBIB within NIH’s mission. - Collaborating with Key Partners
We are collaborating with peer organizations to align our advocacy efforts and ensure a unified response to the proposed reorganization. AIMBE is also working with Congressional representatives to raise awareness of how these changes could impact funding and research priorities for the biomedical engineering community. - Engaging Our Fellows
We recently held sessions at our Academic Council meetings, and we will continue to host discussions that allow our Fellows to contribute their perspectives on the NIH reorganization. Your insights are invaluable as we navigate these changes, and we will be soliciting further input from you through upcoming surveys and forums. - Shaping the Conversation
AIMBE is committed to ensuring that the critical contributions of biomedical and biological engineers are well understood and prioritized in any new NIH framework. Our focus is on protecting and advancing the important work supported by NIBIB, as well as other NIH institutes that impact our field.
How You Can Get Involved
We encourage our Fellows to stay informed about these developments and to participate in AIMBE’s ongoing advocacy efforts. Your voice and expertise are vital as we engage with NIH and policymakers. Please feel free to share your thoughts with your representatives, join our discussions, and contribute to our response. As always, AIMBE remains committed to advancing biomedical and biological engineering and ensuring that our community continues to thrive in a rapidly evolving research landscape.
Thank you for your continued engagement and support. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on the future of medical and biological engineering at NIH.
Sincerely,
AIMBE President
Dean of Engineering
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
University of Illinois Chicago
American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE)
1400 I Street NW, Suite 235, Washington, DC 20005
Dear AIMBE Fellows and Colleagues,
It is with great enthusiasm and appreciation that I write to you today as the newly elected President of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE). As I step into this role, I am filled with excitement for the opportunities ahead and a deep sense of gratitude for the trust and confidence you have placed in me to lead our esteemed organization.
First and foremost, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Joyce Wong for her outstanding leadership and dedication over the past two years. Under her guidance, AIMBE has made significant strides in advancing our mission and amplifying our impact within the medical and biological engineering community. Dr. Wong’s vision and diligent efforts have set the stage for continued greatness, and I am honored to build upon her legacy as we chart the course for the future of AIMBE.
As we embark on this new chapter together, I am excited to share some of the key activities that I will be focusing on during my time as President. These include:
Supporting AIMBE’s New Strategic Plan: AIMBE’s new strategic plan outlines ambitious goals and initiatives aimed at fostering innovation, collaboration among Fellows, and excellence in the medical and biological engineering field. I am committed to championing the implementation of this plan and ensuring that AIMBE remains at the forefront of driving positive change in our field.
Encouraging Diversity and Inclusion Efforts: Diversity and inclusion are not only core values of AIMBE but also essential drivers of innovation and progress in medical and biological engineering. I am passionate about advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization and the broader community, and I look forward to working closely with our CURM and Diversity and Inclusion Committees to drive meaningful action and impact.
Driving Women’s Health Research and Advocacy: Women’s health is an area of critical importance that deserves our unwavering attention and support. I am dedicated to advocating for policies and initiatives that promote women’s health research, innovation, and access to care, and I am committed to ensuring that AIMBE plays a leading role in this important work.
Providing Resources for Fellows: Our Fellows are the heart and soul of AIMBE, and it is essential that we provide them with the support, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive. I will work tirelessly to enhance the value and benefits of AIMBE Fellowship by strengthening our connections with Fellows and creating new opportunities for collaboration and professional development. This includes bolstering industry Fellow engagement and prioritizing efforts to enhance AIMBE’s international reach and programming geared towards international AIMBE Fellows.
In the coming months, I look forward to engaging with each of you, listening to your ideas and feedback, and working together to achieve our shared goals and aspirations. Together, we have an incredible opportunity to make a positive difference in the world through the power of biomedical engineering.
Thank you once again for your continued support and dedication to AIMBE. I am deeply honored to serve as your President, and I am excited about the journey ahead.
Warm regards,
Lola
AIMBE President
Dean of Engineering
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
University of Illinois Chicago
American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE)
1400 I Street NW, Suite 235, Washington, DC 20005