The Pierre Galletti Award

Pierre Galletti passed away on March 8, 1997, having left his mark on the emerging field of biomedical engineering. He was a pioneering researcher, making his impact in such fields as heart-lung bypass, artificial organs, and tissue engineering. As a dedicated teacher and mentor, he not only provided leadership in the establishment of the medical school at Brown University, but also helped start Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. He was an entrepreneur and an individual who realized that ultimately basic science only impacts patient care when new technology is made available to the public. He served the bioengineering community in many ways, later in life becoming active in public policy, and as the second President of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, more than anyone focused this organization on its public policy role. He was the consummate biomedical engineer, a person of great vision, a man for all seasons.

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. The Galletti Award is the highest honor that AIMBE bestows on an individual.

Nominations are solicited by the AIMBE Awards Committee from the entire membership including all Councils and the College of Fellows. The award is presented at the Annual Event of AIMBE, though awardees have not been named every year.

Award Recipients

2013
Roderic I. Pettigrew, Ph.D., M.D.

For impactful contributions to public awareness of medical and biological engineering and the promotion of the national interest in science, engineering and education in his role as Director of NIBIB and for cutting-edge research in cardiovascular radiology diagnostic and treatment strategies.

2012
Arthur J. Coury, Ph.D.

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.

2011
Buddy Ratner, Ph.D.
In recognition of enduring pioneering contributions and inspired leadership in biomaterials science, exceptional mentorship, and tireless promotion of public awareness and national interest in biomedical engineering research and education.

2010
Edward Merrill, Ph.D.
For seminal contributions to biomaterials, medical devices and artifi cial organs and for his visionary leadership of biomedical education and research over the last 60 years.

2009
Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.
For seminal contributions to tissue engineering and leadership in international biomedical engineering.

2008
Nicholas Peppas, Sc.D.
For seminal contributions and visionary leadership in biomaterials science and engineering, and for pioneering work on drug delivery that has led to numerous biomedical products and devices.

2007
Douglas A. Lauffenburger, Ph.D.
For training a generation of bioengineering faculty, establishing an innovative Biological Engineering program at MIT, writing a seminal text on receptors and exemplary service to Bioengineering Societies.

2006
Peter G. Katona, Sc.D.
For outstanding leadership in bioengineering and education, helping to establish numerous bioengineering departments in universities across the country, and seminal research on the control of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

2005
No award given

2004
Shu Chien, M.D., Ph.D.
For pioneering research and outstanding leadership in the bioengineering field and for transforming the bioengineering program at the University of California San Diego into one of the best in the country.

2003
No award given

2002
Robert M. Nerem, Ph.D.
For tireless promotion of biomedical engineering, numerous contributions to hemodynamics and cardiovascular-tissue engineering, and playing a crucial role in establishing AIMBE and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering.

2001
John T. Watson, Ph.D.

For continuous advocacy of bioengineering which led to increased public awareness of the field and the formation of the Bioengineering Consortium and pivotal work on cardiovascular devices.

2000
Robert S. Langer, Sc.D.
For innovative and seminal contributions to biomaterials science and tissue engineering, inspiring and training a generation of bioengineers, and exhaustive work in raising public awareness of bioengineering.