Directors
Greg Gdowski, PhD Executive Director
Greg Gdowski is a veteran in biomedical engineering, with experience in academic research and industry collaborations. He mentored students at the University of Rochester, taught biomedical engineering and neuroscience courses, and established connections with medical device industry through executive committee positions. He also managed the R&D team at Blue Highway, where he translated academic medical technologies into future Welch Allyn products. Currently, he serves as the executive director of the Center for Medical Technology & Innovation at the University of Rochester, which coordinates educational and entrepreneurial activities to develop technological solutions to clinical problems. The center fosters collaborations with the medical device industry to help move concepts closer to commercialization.
Amy Lerner, PhD, Academic Director
Amy L. Lerner is an associate professor of biomedical engineering and the academic director of the Center for Medical Technology & Innovation. Her background includes undergraduate degrees in engineering and design as well as four years as a design engineer for the Shuttle Space Suit program, before receiving her PhD and post-doctoral training at the University of Michigan. As the first hire for the University of Rochester’s programs in biomedical engineering, she has been involved in programmatic and curricular developments in both biomechanics and design education. Her research focuses on computational biomechanical modeling based on gait analysis and a variety of medical imaging modalities, including magnetic resonance imaging. Funding from NSF, NIH and industry sponsors have supported her studies to characterized gender and ethnic differences in anatomy, the role of the meniscus in pressure distributions and the effects of obesity on risks for knee osteoarthritis. Current research goals include using design of experiments methods to develop computationally efficient models that might make personalized treatment guidelines possible. Dr. Lerner has provided leadership in design education both nationally through the BME-IDEA and here at Rochester where the senior design program has become a model for the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. In her role as the founding academic director of the CMTI, she has helped create the curriculum for the new MS in medical technology and innovation and has supervised each of the graduates from the program to date.
Jonathan Stone, MSe, MD, Clinical Director
Jonathan J. Stone, MD, MSe is a faculty member in the Departments of Neurosurgery, Neurology & Biomedical Engineering and the Director of Surgical Innovation at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Dr. Stone's clinical interests are in peripheral nerve surgery, primarily focusing on traumatic nerve injuries (brachial plexus, gun-shot wounds, sharp transections, or iatrogenic causes), nerve sheath tumors (extremity, intrathoracic, or intra-abdominal), compression syndromes (carpal tunnel, ulnar nerve, or other less common sites), and targeted nerve or muscle biopsies. During the treatment of these disorders, he employs advanced reconstructive techniques such as nerve grafting and transfers to restore function. He also provides care for general neurosurgical diseases of the brain and spine. He maintains a busy practice offering patients either traditional open or minimally invasive treatment options.
Dr. Stone completed his residency training in Neurosurgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center and completed fellowship training in peripheral nerve surgery at the Mayo Clinic. He also performs advanced surgical planning and rehearsal using 3D printing at the Institute for Innovative Education.
Staff
Martin Gira, Senior Research Engineer
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Mahllet Beyene Grduate Program Coordinator
As the Graduate Program Coordinator for the Center for Medical Technology and Innovation, Mahllet plays a critical role in supporting the academic and professional development of our students. From managing admissions and enrollment processes to managing the Center's Procurement and academic support, Mahllet is dedicated to ensuring that our students have the resources and guidance they need to thrive in their academic and professional pursuits.
Instructors
Joan Adamo, PhD BME 431 and 432 Instructor
Dr. Joan E. Adamo is the Director for Regulatory Support Services at the University of Rochester and is located in the Clinical and Translational Science Institute. She provides advice and guidance on clinical and basic research projects and serves as an FDA liaison for University investigators working on Sponsored and Sponsor-Investigator clinical studies. This includes supporting researchers in IDE- and IND-governed clinical studies and managing a framework for preclinical GLP compliance within the University. Prior to joining the University of Rochester, Dr. Adamo served as a researcher and regulator at the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Her work in the Division of Viral Products was focused on the research and approval of vaccines for Influenza, Smallpox and West Nile Virus and as a credentialed FDA inspector, she audited domestic and international vaccine manufacturers.
John Boger, JD BME 431 and 432 Instructor
John Boger is a partner and head of the Medical Products/Technology Practice Group at Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti PC. Prior to joining the firm, John was senior in-house counsel at Capital District Physicians' Health Plan, Inc. He also was an associate with the litigation firm of Brown & Tarantino, LLC in Rochester. John's outside interests include attending both of his children's lacrosse and hockey games, golfing, skiing and biking. Before attending law school, John worked for eight years at DePuy, Inc. as a product development engineer and product manager specializing in orthopaedic implant design. He also worked for DePuy-DuPont Orthopaedics, Inc. as the venture project manager, focusing on the development of advanced implantable biomaterials and medical implants. John is an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Rochester's Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. He teaches engineering graduate students in the areas of IP protection and commercialization of IP. John also works with student entrepreneurs at the Couri Hatchery located in the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University.