The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) has selected Olukemi Akintewe, associate professor of instruction in medical engineering at USF, for its inaugural class of Emerging Leaders. These 17 Emerging Leaders are being recognized for their distinguished achievements in medical and biological engineering and will be formally honor during AIMBE's annual meeting, March 29-31, 2025.
The goal of AIMBE’s Emerging Leaders Program is to increase AIMBE’s engagement with exceptional professionals that are underrepresented in medical and biological engineering (MBE), recognize outstanding rising leaders in MBE, and serve as a pipeline for leaders to AIMBE’s College of Fellows. Emerging leaders will have a unique opportunity to network and engage with AIMBE Fellows at the Annual Event and receive direct mentoring from current AIMBE Fellows.
With a focus on increasing the retention of women in STEM fields, Akintewe is investigating the impact of mentorship structures on the persistence of first-time in college (FTIC) and first-generation female students in the USF College of Engineering. She aims to develop a mentorship ecosystem for female students in the first-year undergraduate engineering program that supports learning, a sense of belonging and the preparedness needed for academic progression. Her research is funded by the National Science Foundation Research Initiation in Engineering Formation (PFE: RIEF) Grant, the Kathleen Moore Women Leadership & Philanthropy Faculty Excellence Award and the Sloan Scholars Mentoring Network (SSMN) Seed Grant.
“Through our Emerging Leaders Program, AIMBE is committed to fostering an inclusive pipeline of leaders in medical and biological engineering. This program not only recognizes outstanding talent but also ensures that diverse perspectives are represented within our field. We are excited to welcome this inaugural class of Emerging Leaders and look forward to the impact they will make in advancing biomedical innovation and equity,” says AIMBE President Lola Eniola-Adefeso, dean of engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago.
Established in 1991, AIMBE is a non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., representing the most accomplished individuals in the fields of medical and biological engineering. No other organization can bring together academia, industry, government, and scientific societies to form a highly influential community advancing medical and biological engineering. AIMBE’s mission is to provide leadership and advocacy in medical and biological engineering for the benefit of society.