Contact: Bob Ratliff
Two Mississippi State University graduate students are being honored by the leading professional organization in their field of study.
Suzanne Hutchinson of Leland and Chad Winter of Pontotoc have been invited to discuss the findings of their separate research projects at the World Biomaterials Congress to be held May 15-20 in Kamuela, Hawaii. Both are MSU biological engineering graduates who have continued their studies at the master's-degree level.
The WBC is the leading international forum for presenting research on biomaterials, which are any synthetic materials suitable for implanting into a living body to repair damaged or diseased parts. The organization includes members from the United States, Australia, Canada, Korea, Europe, and several other countries,
Winter also is among 77 students selected from nearly 300 nominees worldwide to receive a Travel and Young Professional Development Award at the meeting. His research deals with a new device developed at Mississippi State to measure the strain on cells that grow on metal alloy implants.
Hutchinson is investigating the corrosive effects human cells have on a particular, widely used stainless steel alloy used in implants.
"The work of Suzanne, Chad and other MSU students is advancing our knowledge of how the human body reacts to the metal alloys used in dental implants, hip replacements and other medical applications," said MSU biomedical engineer Joel Bumgardner.
"Their selection to participate in this international congress reflects the quality of their work here," he added.
Hutchinson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hutchinson, is a 1994 Indianola Academy graduate.
Winter is a 1994 Pontotoc High School graduate and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dean Winter.