For immediate release: December 19, 2011
For further information, contact Katie Goodman, Program Coordinator
(202) 496-9660, kgoodman@aimbe.org
Arthur Coury Chosen as 2012 Pierre Galletti Award Winner
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) has selected Arthur Coury, Ph.D., as the 2012 recipient of the Pierre Galletti Award. The Galletti Award is the highest honor that AIMBE bestows on an individual.
Dr. Coury, a Fellow of AIMBE, was nominated for the award for seminal contributions to the design and commercialization of pacemakers, biodegradable biomaterials, and implantable devices and for leadership in medical and biological engineering and public policy issues.
Dr. Coury holds a B.S. degree in chemistry from the University of Delaware (1962), a Ph.D. in organic chemistry (1965) and an M.B.A. (1980) from the University of Minnesota. His industrial career included positions as: Senior Research Chemist at General Mills, Inc. (1965-1976), Director, Polymer Technology and Research Fellow at Medtronic, Inc. (1976-1993), Vice President, Research and Chief Scientific Officer at Focal, Inc. (1993-2000), and Vice President, Biomaterials Research at Genzyme Corporation (2000- 2008). His career focus has been polymeric biomaterials for medical products such as implantable electronic devices, hydrogel-based devices and drug delivery systems. He holds over fifty distinct patents and has published and presented widely in his field.
The Pierre Galletti Award was established in 1999 by the AIMBE Board of Directors to honor its Founding Member and Past President. The award is presented to an individual in recognition of his/her contributions to public awareness of medical and biological engineering, and to the promotion of the national interest in science, engineering and education. Nominations are solicited by the AIMBE Awards Committee from the Fellowship and AIMBE’s Councils, and approved by the Board of Directors.
This year, the Pierre Galletti Award has been elevated to a $10,000 award, due to a donation from Johnson & Johnson’s Corporate Office of Science and Technology.
“Art and I have worked together personally not only as co-board members for AIMBE, but as colleagues in Boston and in my role as former head of the Biomedical Engineering department here at Boston University,” stated Kenneth Lutchen, President of AIMBE and Dean of Engineering at Boston University. “It is clear that Art is one the most respected scientist, leaders, and, perhaps most important, human beings throughout all of the medical and biological engineering communities. He is inherently philanthropic with his advice, his time, and his effective mentoring. Moreover, Art cares deeply about how we all need to work together to amplify the continuous impact that medical and biological engineering must play to advance society.”
Dr. Coury will present the dedicated Pierre Galletti Lecture at AIMBE’s 21st Annual Event on February 19, 2012 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C. He will then be presented with his award on February 20, 2012, during AIMBE’s Fellow Induction and Awards Ceremony.
The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) is a non-profit organization representing 50,000 individuals and the top 2% of medical and biological engineers. AIMBE represents academic institutions, private industry, and other professional engineering societies. AIMBE was founded in 1991 to provide leadership and advocacy in medical and biological engineering for the benefit of society.
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