BIOE Students Take on Leadership Roles through AEMB

The University of Maryland chapter of Alpha Eta Mu Beta (AEMB) – the national biomedical engineering honor society – was established in 2015. Today, the co-ed society aims to highlight the academic achievement of bioengineering undergraduates, serving as a bridge that connects the Fischell Department of Bioengineering (BIOE) administration, faculty, and general student body. BIOE staff recently spoke with BIOE seniors Lauren Losin and Hiya Sawhney to learn more about AEMB’s mission.

Lauren Losin serves as the UMD AEMB President. Her responsibilities include working with the chapter’s executive board, faculty and staff, and the general study body to hold events that benefit the academic, professional, and social needs of the general bioengineering undergraduate student body. This involves gauging which types of activities are of greatest interest and most beneficial to AEMB members. Losin’s favorite part of being involved in AEMB is seeing how she and her team are able to build community within the bioengineering department. Through academic events, AEMB is able to support the bioengineering student body’s academic needs. “It feels good to know that our organization helps provide BIOE undergraduates with the support and resources they need to be successful in the bioengineering program,” she said.

Upon graduation this spring, Losin plans to move to Phoenix, Ariz. to work for WL Gore in their medical products division.

Hiya Sawhney serves as UMD AEMB Vice President of Internal Affairs. Her role is to plan and organize engagement and social events for AEMB members, including group study hours, and social hangouts such as at local restaurants or cafes. As a vice president, Sawhey feels it is her responsibility to serve as a peer mentor to other BIOE students;she does her best to make herself available as a resource at advising events and other AEMB events.

Sawhney’s favorite part of AEMB is having a student-run organization serve as a resource for other bioengineering students so that events and workshops can be specifically tailored to the student body, she said. “Being a part of AEMB has helped me connect more with the bioengineering community at UMD,” she said. Sawhney's experience with AEMB has enriched her student experience, and she anticipates it will help guide her future professional steps after graduation. Sawhney hopes to matriculate to an M.D./Ph.D. program, specializing in biomedical engineering. Eventually, she hopes to apply her training to clinical practice and research as a physician-scientist.

Moving forward, Losin and Sawhney hope that AEMB will be able to increase membership and engagement both within the organization and within the student body. Additionally, they also want to increase collaboration with BIOE faculty in a way that enables members to connect with professors outside the classroom setting. “I hope that we continue to put forth fun and exciting events for BIOE students for many years to come,” exclaimed Losin.

Published March 9, 2022