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ASAIOfyi For Young InnovatorsAs part of the ASAIO strategic plan, the Society launched a comprehensive program to attract and keep young innovators — undergraduate and graduate students, post docs, residents, and young investigators in academia and industry. This is currently funded by ASAIO. These young innovators constitute a meaningful portion of the participating body of ASAIO and represent the future of the Society. The vision is to create a center of excellence for the advancement of young innovators in the field of artificial organs. The center is called ASAIOfyi For Young Innovators. The programs in the center of excellence have been designed by a steering committee of young innovators to meet their needs and values. The benefits of ASAIOfyi to young investigators who actively participate are as follows:
Research Advancement
Research Collaboration
Career Development
Business Development
Research Recognition
Networking
Leadership Development
These are essential areas to advance the careers of young innovators. Having a group where they can collaborate, network, and reach established researchers is good for the young innovators and good for the Society itself. In addition to existing programs to provide young innovators with exposure at the annual conference through poster sessions and slide presentations, ASAIOfyi is developing new programs. For example, an undergraduate design competition, an “Ask the Expert” forum moderated by more experienced researchers, career development workshops at the annual conference and a redesigned web page to foster communication among ASAIOfyi members. Once ASAIOfyi is established on a national level, the next phase is to develop local ASAIOfyi chapters at universities and regions that focus on artificial organ technologies. To illustrate the commitment from young innovators, a group from the University of Virginia and the University of Pittsburgh has written a business plan and prepared a set of by-laws. Both items have been endorsed by the Board of Trustees. The Board approved funding for this project. We believe that ASAIOfyi will prove to be a
cornerstone for the future of ASAIO.
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