New ASME Award to Honor Biomedical Breakthroughs

Savio L-Y. Woo, Ph.D.

ASME has established a new Society-level award, the ASME Savio L-Y. Woo Translational Biomechanics Medal, which recognizes ASME members who have translated meritorious bioengineering science to clinical practice through research, education, professional development, and service to the bioengineering community.

Nominations are now being accepted for the award, which was proposed by the ASME Bioengineering Division and celebrates the career and achievements of bioengineering trailblazer Savio L-Y. Woo, Ph.D., a Distinguished University Professor of Bioengineering and the founder and director of the Musculoskeletal Research Center (MSRC) at the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Woo, an ASME Life Fellow and former chair of the Bioengineering Division, is a pioneer in translational biomechanics who has conducted research in the healing and repair of tissues for more than 40 years. Woo joined the University of Pittsburgh faculty in 1990 after spending 20 years as professor of surgery and bioengineering at the University of California, San Diego. He and his research teams have authored more than 320 original research papers in refereed journals, as well as 146 book chapters and review articles, and their work has had a significant impact on the management of ligament and tendon injuries.

Prior to the creation of the Woo Medal, ASME had three awards honoring contributions to the field of bioengineering: the Y.C. Fung Young Investigator Award, the Van C. Mow Medal for mid-career researchers, and the H.R. Lissner Medal for career achievement. Unlike those awards, which focus on research contributions to bioengineering and engineering, the new award is intended to recognize the significant contributions of bioengineers whose work has resulted in the development of a medical device or equipment, contributed to new approaches of disease treatment, or established new injury treatment modalities.

“Dr. Woo has been a leader in improving orthopedic surgery and patient outcomes through scientific research and engineering design,” said Sara E. Wilson, Ph.D., director of the Bioengineering Graduate Program and associate professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Kansas and chair of the ASME Bioengineering Division. “This award recognizes the unique contributions of those that bridge the gap between research and clinical practice.”

“It was very special for me to take part in establishing this legacy in honor of Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo,” added Jennifer S. Wayne, Ph.D., the former chair of the Bioengineering Division who spearheaded the effort to establish the award. “It forever acknowledges what he has accomplished for the bioengineering field and the ASME Bioengineering Division.” The award received the full support of the Bioengineering Division’s leadership, with David A. Vorp, Ph.D., and Matthew J. Gounis, Ph.D., recent chairs of the Bioengineering Division, having crucial parts in the approval process.

Candidates for the new award must be active members of the Bioengineering Division. The award consists of $1,000, a bronze medal, a certificate, and a travel expense supplement to attend the award presentation.

Nominations for the first Woo Medal are being accepted through Oct. 1. The Bioengineering Division expects to present the first award next summer, during the Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering and Biotransport (SB3C) Conference in National Harbor, Md.

To learn more about the Savio L-Y. Woo Translational Biomechanics Medal, or for information on how to submit a nomination, visit www.asme.org/about-asme/honors-awards/achievement-awards/savio-ly-woo-translational-biomechanics-medal. Completed nomination forms and reference letters should be e-mailed as a single PDF document to James Moore, Savio L-Y. Woo Medal Committee chair, james.moore.jr@imperial.ac.uk.