Startup Medtech Company, Humimic Biosystems, Wins Most Impactful Research Award at Biomed Engage Conference

Kartik Balachandran (left) and Alexis Applequist (right)

Fayetteville, AR – June 13, 2024 – The University of Arkansas Biomedical Engineering Community and Student Engagement Committee successfully hosted the first annual Biomed Engage Conference at the Fayetteville Public Library on June 13. This event provided a unique platform for graduate students to present their research to the non-scientific community, with the goal of educating the public, advocating for science, and inspiring future generations. 

The highlight of the event was the awarding of the Most Impactful Research Award, which was decided by public vote. The award went to Alexis Applequist, Cofounder and CEO of Humimic Biosystems LLC. Alexis is a PhD student in the Mechanobiology and Soft Materials Laboratory within the University of Arkansas Biomedical Engineering Department.

Lance Cordes (presenter)

Humimic Biosystems, founded by Alexis in partnership with her advisor Dr. Kartik Balachandran, aims to create a more inclusive and accessible healthcare system. The company specializes in developing organ-on-chip models for drug testing and research into disease progression and treatment. These innovative platforms have the potential to significantly reduce the cost of prescription drugs and to study the varied progression of diseases and treatment effects across different demographic groups. 

The Biomed Engage Conference was an outstanding success, showcasing cutting-edge research and fostering meaningful dialogue between scientists and the community. The event underscored the importance of making scientific research accessible and comprehensible to the general public, paving the way for future advancements in biomedical engineering and healthcare. 

Photo credit: Elizabeth Muscari, Communications Manager for the Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research. Raj Rao, Professor of Biomedical Engineering in the College of Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. 

Media Contact: press@humimicbiosystems.com