BMES Graduate Student Chapter

The Graduate Student Chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) at Cornell promotes biomedical engineering through research, educational outreach, and advocacy of engineering approaches to biology and human health. We provide avenues for our members to develop professionally, socially, and personally, as well as contribute to the community inside and outside of Cornell.
BMES graduate student group leadership sits together outside Weill Hall.

Engage

For more information, email about outreach activities, industry partnerships, and professional group networking opportunities, email cornellbmes@cornell.edu or get in touch with a member of the current BMES graduate student leadership below.

We are actively seeking alumni engagements with our student body. Get in touch using our alumni interest google form.

Give

To support our programs any time, use our giving link. Check if your company would like to match your donation as well. Any contribution is welcomed, and we have award tiers, where we would show our appreciation at our sponsored events.

  • Gold ($750) sponsors the BMES Research Symposium
  • Silver ($500) sponsors Girl Scout Engineering Day
  • Bronze ($250) sponsors Sciencenter outreach

Follow

Find us on X (@CUbmes) to see what we’re up to!

Graduate student group sitting together in Weill Hall atrium
Cornell graduate student works with girl scout at table on an engineering experiment at GSED 2024.
BMES graduate students stand together next to highway sign as part of cleanup outreach event.

Leadership

  • Anna Hazelwood

    President

    Anna Hazelwood (alh333@cornell.edu) is a Ph.D. student in the Lammerding lab studying nuclear lamins and the disease mechanisms of LMNA dilated cardiomyopathy. She is from Holden, MA and completed her bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering at the University of Rochester. In her free time, Anna enjoys cooking, dancing, and trying new restaurants.

  • Tyler Locke

    Vice President

    Tyler Locke (tsl59@cornell.edu) is a Ph.D. student in the Schaffer-Nishimura lab using in-vivo microscopy to study heart failure. He received his bachelor’s degree in biomedical physics and mathematics from Northeastern University. In his free time, he likes to play the saxophone and hang out with John.

  • Wendy Zimmerman

    Outreach Co-Chair

    Wendy Zimmerman (wsz7@cornell.edu) (she/her) is in the Andarawis-Puri lab studying the delivery of proteins to promote the scarless healing of tendons. She is originally from Saratoga Springs, NY and received her bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Rochester. In her free time, Wendy enjoys rock climbing, playing ultimate frisbee, and cooking.

  • Allison Goehl

    Outreach Co-Chair

    Allison Goehl (aeg276@cornell.edu) (she/her) is a Ph.D. student in the Majedi Lab studying in vivo T cell activation for solid tumor immunotherapy. She is originally from Olathe, KS and received her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Kansas. In her free time, Allison enjoys hiking, climbing, and drinking coffee.

  • Peter Wieber

    Events/Community Engagement Co-Chair

    Peter Wieber (pjw96@cornell.edu) is a Ph.D. student in the Erickson Lab developing a diagnostic test for lymphoma using LAMP. He is from Boise, ID  and received bachelor’s degrees in biological engineering and chemistry from the University of Idaho. In his free time, Peter enjoys rock climbing, cooking, and hiking.

  • John Toftegaard

    Events/Community Engagement Co-Chair

    John Toftegaard (jjt225@cornell.edu) is a Ph.D. student in the Butcher lab whose research involves the use of embedded bioprinting to manufacture aortic heart valves. He received his bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from the University at Buffalo. Outside of the lab, John enjoys backpacking and rock climbing.

  • Teagan Rocheville-Higgins

    Professional Development Co-Chair

    Teagan Rocheville-Higgins (tar232@cornell.edu) (she/her) is a Ph.D. student from Portland, OR and received an Honors Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering from Oregon State University. In her free time, she enjoys baking, coloring, and exploring Ithaca.

  • Anais Del Rosario

    Professional Development Co-Chair

    Anais Del Rosario (acd242@cornell.edu) is a graduate Ph.D. student at the Wolf Lab, working on tissue models to study uterine contraction.  She grew up in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico and received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and biomedical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University in 2024.  In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and doodling.

  • Pei Wen Xiao

    Treasurer

    Pei Wen Xiao (px63@cornell.edu) (she/her) is a Ph.D. student in the Wolf lab developing organ-on-chip models for studying women’s health. She is from the San Francisco Bay area and received her Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering from the University of California, Berkeley. In her free time, she likes origami-making, baking, and drawing.

  • Nina Brooks

    Communications

    Nina Brooks (nmb225@cornell.edu) is a Ph.D. student in the Schwartz lab at Weill Cornell Medicine studying hepatocyte regeneration using liver organoids. She is from Charlottesville, VA and completed her bachelor’s degree with majors in biomedical engineering and East Asian studies at the University of Virginia. She also completed her master’s degree in personalized medicine and applied engineering at Yale University. In her free time, Nina enjoys crocheting, learning new languages, and practicing Chinese calligraphy.