UTSA engineer Hai-Chao Han named fellow of Medical and Biological Engineering Institute

Hai-Chao Han

(Jan. 14, 2013) -– Hai-Chao Han, professor of mechanical and biomedical engineering in The University of Texas at San Antonio College of Engineering, has been named a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) for his outstanding contributions in the field of cardiovascular biomechanics.

Han is one of 70 individuals selected to be member of the 2013 AIMBE College of Fellows, a group that represents the top two percent of the most accomplished medical and biological engineers. He will be recognized at the AIMBE annual conference in Washington, DC, Feb. 17-19.

"It is my great honor to receive this type of recognition from peers," said Han. "I hold the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering with high regard as it encourages the promotion of biomedical science and engineering that benefits our society in so many ways."

Han's research focuses on using engineering approaches (such as modeling) to increase our understanding of cardiovascular diseases for better treatment and prevention methods. Specifically, he studies the mechanism by which arteries and veins become tortuous as a symptom of vascular disease as well as the adaptation process of the left ventricle after a heart attack.

"We are delighted to welcome 70 new members to the 2013 Class of Fellows," said Raphael Lee, AIMBE president and Paul and Allene Russell Professor at the University of Chicago. "The fellows are distinguished by their important contributions to biological and medical engineering and are the preeminent leaders of our field."

The UTSA College of Engineering has six AIMBE Fellows on its faculty including Anson Ong, Rena Bizios, Ann Salamone, Joseph Salamone, C. Mauli Agrawal and now Han.

The author of more than 70 peer-reviewed journal articles, Han serves as the associate editor of the American Association of Mechanical Engineering Journal of Biomechanical Engineering.

Han's accolades include a CAREER award from the National Science Foundation, a visiting professorship at Shanghai Jiaotong University, China, and a Young Investigator Award from the National Nature Science Foundation of China, among others. He is also a Fellow of the American Heart Association and a member of several professional societies including the American Association of Mechanical Engineering, the Biomedical Engineering Society, American Society of Engineering Education, American Physiological Society and the American Society of Biomechanics.

He received his B.S. in applied mechanics, M.S. in solid mechanics and Ph.D. in solid mechanics/biomechanics from Xi'an Jiaotong University, China, with joint training from the University of California at San Diego under the tutelage of Professor YC Fung, known as the "father of biomechanics."

Before joining UTSA in 2003, Han served as an Associate Professor at Xi'an Jiaotong University and a Research Engineer II at Georgia Institute of Technology.

Founded in 1991, the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., representing 50,000 individuals and the top two percent of medical and biological engineers. Additionally, AIMBE represents academic institutions, private industry and professional engineering societies. Its vision is to provide leadership and advocacy in medical and biological engineering for the benefit of society.

Nationally ranked and recognized, the UTSA College of Engineering provides world-class education and research opportunities to the region's multicultural community, to the nation and beyond. The college offers 16 graduate and undergraduate degrees within the departments of biomedical, civil and environmental, electrical and computer, and mechanical engineering and is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. As the fastest growing engineering school in Texas, enrollment has increased 110 percent over the past few years and now exceeds 2,600 students. For more information, visit UTSA College of Engineering website.