The Department of Biomedical Engineering Cordially Invites You
The New Jersey Institute of Technology Department of Biomedical Engineering invites you to the 2026 BME 1st Research Day and William Hunter Memorial Lecture on April 17, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Agile Strategy Lab. This inaugural event will showcase Ph.D. and undergraduate student poster presentations, student talks, and an award ceremony, along with opportunities for networking over lunch. The program also honors the legacy of William C. Hunter, whose leadership helped shape NJIT’s BME department and advance cardiovascular and mechanobiology research.
The highlight of the day is the William Hunter Memorial Keynote Lecture delivered by Cynthia Reinhart-King, Department Chair and John W. Cox Chair of Bioengineering at Rice University. A pioneer in cellular mechanobiology, Dr. Reinhart-King’s work explores how mechanical forces influence diseases such as cancer and atherosclerosis, opening new therapeutic pathways. Her distinguished career includes leadership roles and prior faculty appointments at Cornell University and Vanderbilt University, making her an inspiring keynote speaker for this special event.
Upcoming Events
Date: April 17, 2026
Location: Agile Strategy Lab
Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Time | Event | Presenter |
| 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Ph.D. Student Poster Presentations | BME Ph.D and UG Students |
| 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM | Welcome Remarks by Chair, BME | Dr. Bryan Pfister |
| 11:15 AM - 11:30 AM | Welcome Remarks by Associate Chair, NCE | Dr. Matthew Bandelt |
| 11:30 AM - 11:45 AM | Ph.D. Student Talk I | Gabriela De Carvalho |
| 11:45 AM - 12:00 PM | Ph.D. Student Talk II | TBD |
| 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | William Hunter Memorial Keynote Lecture | Dr. Cynthia Reinhart-King |
| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Lunch and Networking | Guests & Participants |
| 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Award Ceremony | Dr. Grasman and Dr. Buffone |
Meet Our Speaker
Cynthia Reinhart-King, Ph.D.
Department Chair & John W. Cox Chair of Bioengineering
Dr. Reinhart-King is a pioneer in cellular mechanobiology who applies engineering principles to uncover how mechanical forces drive diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis, and impaired wound healing. Her groundbreaking research has identified cellular force as a biomarker of cancer metastasis and a key regulator of vascular integrity, opening new therapeutic strategies that target mechanical mediators in cells and tissues. A fellow of BMES, AIMBE, and IAMBE, she is an award-winning researcher, educator, and leader who currently serves as President of the Biomedical Engineering Society and joined Rice University in 2024 after distinguished faculty appointments at Cornell and Vanderbilt.