Clemson professor receives biomaterials society's first service award

Published: February 1, 2012

Martine LaBerge image by: Clemson University

CLEMSON — Martine LaBerge, professor and chairwoman of the bioengineering department at Clemson University, has received the first Award For Service from the Society For Biomaterials (SFB).

The newly established award honors significant service to society in "establishing, developing, maintaining and promoting its objectives."

"I believe that Dr. LaBerge epitomizes the type of person for which this award was created," said Lynne Jones, a Johns Hopkins University professor who nominated LaBerge for the award. "We have been very fortunate that Martine brings the same high level of energy and creativity to her leadership roles for SFB as she has for her research."

LaBerge’s research interests include the study of natural and artificial surfaces used in the design of implants for orthopedic and vascular treatment. She has published more than 200 technical articles, many on her research on the friction, lubrication and wear of artificial knee joints.

"This recognition by her peers is indicative of Dr. LaBerge's accomplishments in the field of biomaterials," said Larry Dooley, acting dean of Clemson's College of Engineering and Science. "We are justly proud of the work she has done and Clemson and in the bioengineering field."

A recipient of the 2009 Governor’s Award for Scientific Awareness, LaBerge is a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering and a Fellow of Biomaterials Science and Engineering. She has received the Outstanding Woman Faculty Award from Clemson’s President’s Commission on the Status of Women, the Murray Stokely Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Faculty Mentoring Award in the College of Engineering and Science.  

LaBerge has served the Society For Biomaterials as its president (2007-2008) and as a board member and council member for more than 15 years. She also was the executive editor of the society's Biomaterials Forum from 2000 to 2005.

She is an active mentor to Clemson's Society For Biomaterials student chapter, bringing students to the annual meeting and encouraging them to participate not only as presenters of their own research, but as members of the national chapter and in workshops.

"Under her direction, the SFB-endorsed 'Biomaterials Days' at Clemson University have been an example for others to emulate," Jones said. "But her mentorship did not stop at the Clemson doors. She has supported many SFB members, including myself."

Established in 1974, the Society For Biomaterials exists to promote research, development and education in biomaterials sciences. with members drawn from industry, universities and clinical practice, it is the oldest scientific organization in the field of biomaterials and publisher of the Journal of Biomedical Materials.

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