Professor Craig Simmons (MIE / IBBME) has been inducted as a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) in recognition of the U of T engineer’s contributions to heart valve disease research and methodologies to create mechanically dynamic microtissue models.
Election into the AIMBE’s College of Fellows is among the highest distinction in the profession, comprised only of the top two per cent of its membership from around the world.
Simmons is the U of T Distinguished Professor of Mechanobiology in the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering (MIE) and the Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering (IBBME). He is internationally renowned for his pioneering achievements in identifying critical roles of biomechanical forces in regulating heart valve disease, and for the creation of microfluidic tools that improve drug discovery by simulating biomechanical forces in the body.
Professor Simmons has published more than 100 original papers and supervised 40 graduate students to date.
In 2015, he was appointed the scientific director of the Translational Biology and Engineering Program, the University of Toronto’s component of the Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research. There, he leads nine groups comprised of more than 100 engineering and medicine researchers to collaborate with health-care experts from the Hospital for Sick Children and the University Health Network to transform the future of heart health for Canadians through a combination of research, education and clinical care.
“Craig’s research contributions and his leadership in advancing the field have made an impact on Canadians facing heart disease and those working on addressing it,” said Professor Warren Chan, director of IBBME. “Please join me in congratulating him on this well-deserved recognition.”
Professor Simmons’ numerous awards and accolades include the 2017 Ontario Professional Engineers Awards’ Engineering Medal for Research and Development, the University of Toronto’s Northrop Frye Award for achievements in integrating teaching and research, and U of T Engineering’s Faculty Teaching Award. He is a fellow of the Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering (CSME) and was named the Canada Research Chair in Mechanobiology in 2006.
“Congratulations to Craig on this incredible achievement,” said Professor Markus Bussmann, chair of MIE. “Craig is not only a leader in the field of biomedical and regenerative medicine, but also a dynamic and award-winning educator who is passionate about inspiring the next generation of biomedical engineers. We’re proud of his accomplishments and his significant contributions to improving the future of heart health.”
A formal induction ceremony was held during the AIMBE Annual Meeting at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC on April 9, 2018 where Professor Simmons was inducted along with 156 colleagues who make up the AIMBE College of Fellows Class of 2018.
