Faculty and staff in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University gathered on the fourth floor of the Whitaker Building at Georgia Tech to give themselves a collective and well-earned pat on the back.

In the process, BME chair Susan Margulies called out a few individuals who received awards during the first BME Spring Celebration of Community.

The GLUE Award recognizes staff members who motivate or influence co-workers to achieve professional and departmental goals, inspire change or productivity in the workplace, and have a positive impact or influence at the office. The winners were Leita Young (administrative assistant) from Emory and Emily Foster (academic programs coordinator) from Georgia Tech.

Young was praised for, “her willingness to assist in BME’s Emory-based events, helping all members of the department, “always with a ready smile,” Margulies said.

Foster was recognized for creating new links between BME’s undergraduate and graduate programs, developing an integrated plan for teaching assistants. “In just over a year, because of her positive attitude and fantastic work ethic, we have come to rely on her for many of the functions of the department,” Margulies said.

The BME Mission Award is intended to recognize faculty members who significantly impact health care and embodies the mission of education and leadership, inspire productivity and innovative thinking in students and colleagues, and extend their effort and leadership across multiple departments.

The winners were Wilbur Lam (Emory) and Julie Babensee (Georgia Tech), who also are researchers in the Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience.

Lam, who also is a pediatric oncologist, impacts patient health both in the near- and long-term, “serving as a terrific liaison between BME and pediatrics,” Margulies said.

“He contributes to the BME educational mission through traditional teaching as well as his BME HealthReach initiative, and undergraduate research mentoring. His research has real-world impact,” Margulies added, referring to recent FDA approval of a medical diagnostic – a disposable, color-based screening test for anemia.

Babensee, meanwhile, has consistently demonstrated the type of leadership, “that exemplifies the spirit of this award,” Margulies said. “Her strong record of scholarship and leadership in immunoengineering, biomaterials, and biomedical engineering has advanced the department in significant domains.”

Babensee has made pivotal contributions in developing BME curriculum, “including designing our BioID program and shepherding it through its approval,” Margulies said. “Her leadership and grassroots efforts have resulted in seed initiatives that benefit many members of the faculty in BME and other units.”

Also recognized for his years of service and commitment was longtime faculty member Robert Lee, an associate professor who is retiring.