Celebrating Student Leadership and Community in Bioengineering
The University of Pennsylvania’s chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) has been recognized nationally with the Commendable Achievement Award, the second-highest honor given to student chapters by the national BMES organization. The award celebrates Penn BMES’s exceptional efforts to build community, foster professional growth, and expand the reach of bioengineering at Penn and beyond during the 2024–2025 academic year.
BMES leaders Kyulee Kim (BSE and MSE, Bioengineering) and Krish Modi (BSE and MSE, Bioengineering) accepted the award on behalf of the chapter at the BMES Annual Meeting, held October 8–11, 2025, in San Diego, California.
“Being part of BMES has been one of the most meaningful parts of my time at Penn,” said Modi, current President of Penn BMES. “It’s given me the chance to connect with students, faculty, alumni, and industry professionals and to help make our department feel more connected. Receiving the Commendable Achievement Award is an exciting recognition of all the energy and care our team puts into building that community.”
“We were able to gradually expand our impact across the school these past few years,” added Kim, senior advisor and former president of Penn BMES. “Being recognized as the best club of the year by Penn Engineering and now by BMES nationally affirms that our efforts have been meaningful for the community and motivates us to continue making an impact.”
Elevating the Bioengineering Community
Penn BMES serves as the undergraduate professional society for the Department of Bioengineering, acting as a liaison between faculty and students while offering opportunities for professional development, wellness, and outreach. Each semester, the club hosts a robust calendar of events designed to connect students across class years, support academic success, and explore career pathways in bioengineering.
Highlights from Fall 2025 include:
- Mentorship Kickoff with the Graduate Association of Bioengineers (GABE) – fostering connections between undergraduate and graduate students.
- Alumni Dinner at the Singh Center – bringing together alumni, students, and faculty for networking and shared conversation.
- WUHC x BMES x PUCS Research Showcase – highlighting undergraduate research across engineering and the health sciences.
- ADAPT x BMES High School Engineering Event – introducing local high school students to bioengineering through hands-on activities.
- Faculty Lunch Series – informal gatherings with Penn Bioengineering professors to discuss research and career advice.
- Wellness and study break events, including School Supply Decorating and Winter Wellness, to help students recharge throughout the semester.
Through these events and collaborations, BMES continues to strengthen the sense of belonging within the Penn Bioengineering community and inspire future leaders in the field.
Kim reflects, “When I first joined BMES my freshman year, I had no idea it would be such a significant part of my Penn experience. To me, at first, BMES was simply a club that met once a week and hosted occasional bioengineering events. However, as I spent more time in the club, I truly started to think more deeply about what Bioengineering students need – stronger sense of community, more opportunities for learning outside the classroom, and clearer understanding of how we as bioengineers can make an impact on broader communities like greater Philadelphia.”
Representing Penn on the National Stage
At the BMES Annual Meeting, members Bioengineering community represented the department as student ambassadors, hosting a booth to share information about their chapter’s initiatives and connect with peers from around the country.
Penn’s delegation included:
- Undergraduate students: Krish Modi, Ian Peng, Jonathan Largoza, Emily Jiang, Saw Nwe
- Master’s students: Yixiao Zhao, Korey Patwari, Akshaya Biju
- PhD students: Amanda Murray, Hannah Yamagata, Renee-Tyler Morales, and Emily Lin
The Ambassadors were advised by Jina Ko, Assistant Professor in Bioengineering, who supported their participation at the conference.
Alumni & Friends Gathering
Penn Bioengineering also hosted an Alumni & Friends Gathering on Wednesday, October 8, at Meze Greek Fusion in San Diego, offering an informal space for alumni, students, postdocs, and faculty to reconnect during the meeting.
As the chapter continues to grow, Penn BMES remains dedicated to fostering community, advancing professional development, and celebrating the creativity that defines bioengineering at Penn.
Learn more about Penn BMES.