Department of Biomedical Engineering

The Charles V. Schaefer, Jr. School of Engineering and Science is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jennifer Kang-Mieler as director of the Semcer Center for Healthcare Innovation (CHI), which became effective on July 1, 2025.

Dr. Kang-Mieler, George Meade Bond Professor and Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, joined Stevens in 2022. A nationally and internationally recognized leader in ophthalmology and vision science, her research focuses on retinal vascular diseases and the development of technologies that improve clinical diagnostics and treatment. Her work is currently supported by three active NIH R01 grants and has received funding from the NIH, the Whitaker Foundation, the Lincy Foundation, the Macula Foundation and industry collaborators.

As director, Dr. Kang-Mieler will lead efforts to expand CHI’s research and educational initiatives, foster interdisciplinary collaboration and build strategic partnerships with clinical and industry stakeholders. Her leadership will be instrumental in advancing CHI’s mission to drive innovation in healthcare technology.

We also extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Hongjun Wang for his outstanding leadership over the past three years. Under his direction, CHI was relaunched with a renewed vision, strengthened research culture and new collaborations with regional medical institutions.

The Charles V. Schaefer, Jr. School of Engineering and Science is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Hongjun Wang as the George Meade Bond Professor in Biomedical Engineering, effective July 1, 2025 through Aug. 31, 2030.

Wang joined Stevens in 2005 and has since advanced from assistant professor to full professor. He served as the founding chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering (2018–2022) and most recently as director of the Semcer Center for Healthcare Innovation (2022–2025). A globally recognized scholar, Wang’s research spans biomimetic materials, multiscale tissue reconstruction, nanomedicine and regenerative medicine. He has secured over $6 million in external funding and ranks in the top 0.45% globally in the field of “scaffolding,” according to ScholarGPS.

A Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, Dr. Wang is the recipient of numerous honors, including the New Jersey Innovators Award, the Provost’s Award for Academic Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development, and the Jess N. Davis Award for Excellent Research. He holds five patents and has authored nearly 140 peer-reviewed journal articles, 12 book chapters and two edited volumes. His work has been widely presented through more than 100 invited talks, including keynote and plenary lectures.

This prestigious appointment recognizes Wang’s outstanding scholarship, teaching excellence and lasting contributions to Stevens and the biomedical engineering field.

Jennifer Kang-Mieler, George Meade Bond Endowed Professor and Chair of Stevens’ Department of Biomedical Engineering, was selected as a 2025 ARVO Foundation Honoree at the organization’s annual meeting on Saturday, May 3 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting is the premier gathering for eye and vision scientists from across the globe. Experts of all career stages, students and those in affiliated fields come to share their latest research findings and collaborate on innovative solutions. Kang-Mieler was honored during a gala dinner ahead of the meeting’s official beginning on May 4.

"This recognition is significant to me due to the considerable impact that ARVO has had on my scientific journey," said Kang-Mieler. "ARVO was the first scientific meeting I attended. I built amazing collaborations and friendships with leading scientists, engineers and clinicians at ARVO. ARVO is home for me."

ARVO Honorees are selected by the ARVO Foundation Board of Governors and are recognized for their commitment to ARVO and the ARVO Foundation, either through generous financial support, exemplary leadership of a Foundation initiative or dedication to endeavors that represent the mission of the Foundation.

ARVO put together a five-minute tribute video of Kang-Mieler, which can be viewed at https://youtu.be/JoRwTBBIYVQ.

Carrie E. Perlman, an associate professor in Stevens’ Department of Biomedical Engineering, was recently named a 2025 fellow by the American Thoracic Society (ATS). Perlman serves on and previously chaired an ATS committee that reviews research and clinical project proposals. She is also a member of an ATS committee that advocates for basic and translational research through varied ATS channels.

The ATS is a leading international medical society dedicated to advancing global respiratory research, patient care and public health.

Perlman leads the Lung Mechanics Laboratory, where she and her group combine mechanical, physiological and biophysical analysis is studying the lungs. In particular, they study the role of surface tension in ventilation injury of edematous lungs –lungs with fluid buildup – and are testing a new surface-tension lowering therapeutic. She previous chaired the Biomedical Engineering doctoral program at Stevens and served as a standing member of an NIH study section.

"I’m pleased to be recognized by the American Thoracic Society for my contributions to respiratory research," said Perlman. "I look forward to yet more exciting discoveries in the future."