Jennifer Wayne receives American Society of Mechanical Engineers Dedicated Service Award
Jennifer Wayne '83, professor with the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, recently received the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Dedicated Service Award for her contributions to the society's bioengineering division and her dedication to the organization.
Established in 1983 by the ASME Board of Governors, the Dedicated Service Award "honors the unusual dedicated voluntary service to the society marked by outstanding performance, demonstrated effective leadership, prolonged and committed service, devotion, enthusiasm and faithfulness."
Prior to receiving this most recent honor, Wayne received the ASME H.R. Lissner Medal in 2019 for significant contributions to the field of bioengineering, making her the first female recipient of the award since its inception in 1977. She was also recognized as an ASME fellow in 2007.
Wayne returned to Virginia Tech in 2019, after serving as the associate chair of biomedical engineering and leading the Orthopaedic Research Laboratory at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Wayne has been a member of the Bioengineering Division Executive Committee, serving in various key roles including treasurer, secretary, and, eventually, chair.
In addition, Wayne has devoted over 10 years to various ASME committees. Notably, she has played pivotal roles in the Y.C. Fung Young Investigator, Van C. Mow Medal, and H.R. Lissner Award committees. Wayne also served as vice chair for the Women's Networking Group in 2021-22, highlighting her commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within ASME.
Karen Ohland, ASME past president and senior associate director for finance and operations, Princeton University Art Museum, submitted Wayne’s nomination for the award.
“Having known Jennifer for over 35 years, since we met in Dr. Savio Woo’s laboratory in San Diego, California, as well as her passion and dedication to the ASME bioengineering division, I was surprised she hadn’t already received the Dedicated Service Award. As ASME president, I was able to nominate one person for the Dedicated Service Award and I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving than Jennifer,” Ohland said.
Wayne earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering science and mechanics in 1983 from Virginia Tech, a master’s degree in biomedical engineering from Tulane University in 1984, and a Ph.D. in bioengineering from the University of California, San Diego, in 1990.
