- The induction ceremony of Professor Alonso takes place today, in Washington, during the Annual Event of the AIMBE
- This is a new recognition of the outstanding scientific career of Professor Alonso by American institutions, after her election to the US National Academy of Medicine in 2016
- The College of Fellows of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) consists of over 1,500 individuals who are the outstanding leaders, engineers, entrepreneurs, and innovators in medical and biological engineering. They represent the top 2% of the medical and biological engineering community
- AIMBE recognizes the important work developed by Spanish scientific women, since only three female researchers represent the institutions of Spain in this prestigious Society
María José Alonso, Professor of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), is from today on a new member of prestigious College of Fellows of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering’s (AIMBE). This recognition, together with several others received from American institutions and societies, and in particular after her election to join the US National Academy of Medicine, highlights the extraordinary trajectory of the group led by Professor Alonso. The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., representing 50,000 individuals. The College of Fellows of the AIMBE consists of over 1,500 individuals who are the outstanding leaders, engineers, entrepreneurs, and innovators in medical and biological engineering. Fellows are nominated each year by their peers and represent the top 2% of the medical and biological engineering community. Of these, only 5% are foreigners.
Alonso’s nomination was promoted by Professor Nicholas Peppas, from the University of Texas at Austin. The induction ceremony took place in Washington DC, a few hours ago, during the Annual Event of this prestigious Society. The presidents of the American Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Engineering were present in this special event. Only 150 members of these three American academies have also the honor of being members of AIMBE’s College of Fellows, among them, and as the only Spanish, María José Alonso.
Spanish female researchers
The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering reflects the important role of Spanish female researchers in the field of biomedical engineering. Interestingly, only three scientific women affiliated to Spanish academic institutions are members of the prestigious AIMBE’s College of Fellows. They are Laura María Roa, (University of Seville), María Vallet-Regí (Universidad Complutense de Madrid); and María José Alonso (University of Santiago de Compostela).
Alonso’s research trajectory
María José Alonso’s lab (https://www.usc.gal/grupos/mjalonsolab/) has pioneered numerous discoveries in the field of Nanopharmaceutical Technology and nanomedicine. She has coordinated several research consortia financed by the WHO, the Gates Foundation and the European Commission. Currently, she is involved in 7 international projects, 5 of them finnaced by the European Commission. She is the author of 235 scientific contributions with more than 12,000 cites (H factor 65) and the inventor of 19 patent families. Because of the quality of her sientific articles she has been among the TOP TEN in Pharmacology (Times Higher Education international ranking, Thomson Reuters, 2010). She is currently the Secretary of the Controlled Release Society. She also serves on the editorial board of 11 journals. In 2006-10, she was the Vice-rector of Research and Innovation of the USC. She has advised the Ministry of Sciences and Innovation in the elaboration of the Low of Sciences, technology and Innovation, and, she has been part of the advisory council of the Ministry of Health in Spain. She has received numerous Awards, including the “King Jaume I Award” on New Technologies, the “Maurice Marie Janot Award”, and the “María Josefa Wonenburger Award”. She is also a member of three Academies in Spain and the US National Academy of Medicine.
American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE)
The AIMBE was founded in 1991 and its vision is to provide leadership and advocacy in medical and biological engineering for the benefit of society. AIMBE is a non-profit organization headquartered in Washington D.C. and represents academic institutions, private industry, and professional engineering societies.
The role of AIMBE, as an advocate for public policy issues related to improving lives through medical and biological engineering, is ensured by its College of Fellows, comprised of experts in areas such as clinical practice, industrial practice, and education.
AIMBE consistently provides a reliable, authoritative voice during dialogue with lawmakers and stakeholders in product development. By fostering relationships with related organizations and individuals, AIMBE lays a foundation for policy-making effective in improving the lives of citizens and patients.
College of Fellows
The College of Fellows gathers approximately 1,500 individuals who are the outstanding biomedical and biological engineers in academia, industry, and government. Potential Fellows are nominated by current AIMBE Fellows. Nominees are then reviewed by a subcommittee catered to their professional expertise or accomplishments. If a nominee gains approval from a subcommittee, they are then voted upon by the entire fellowship. Candidates who receive approval from the majority of the College of Fellows are inducted during the AIMBE Annual Event. Members retain lifelong membership.
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