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 is a registered student organization of Cornell University.
BMES graduate student group leadership stands together in a line in Weill Hall classroom.
Page Contents
BMES graduate student group leadership stands together making silly faces in a Weill Hall classroom.

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

  • Peter Wieber

    Co-President (2026)

    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.

  • Wendy Zimmerman

    Co-president (2026)

    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.

  • Pei Wen Xiao

    Vice President

    Pei Wen Xiao (px63@cornell.edu) (she/her) is a Ph.D. student in the Wolf Lab developing vascularized endometrium-on-chip models to better understand uterine biology in the context of pregnancy-related conditions. She is from the San Francisco Bay Area, CA and received her bachelor’s degree in bioengineering from the University of California, Berkeley. In her free time, she likes origami-making, baking, and drawing.

  • Alessandra Coogan

    Outreach Co-Chair

    Alessandra Coogan (abc296@cornell.edu) is a Ph.D. student in the Bonassar Lab, where she studies meniscus biomechanics and develops radiofrequency-based technologies for meniscus repair and healing. She received both her B.S. and M.S. in Bioengineering, with a concentration in Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, from George Mason University. Outside the lab, Alessandra enjoys circus arts, video games, visual arts, and creative writing.

  • Iqra Sajid

    Outreach Co-Chair

    Iqra Sajid (is453@cornell.edu) is a Ph.D. student in the Zimmerman Lab, where her research focuses on cardiovascular engineering. Originally from Montgomery, Alabama, she earned her Bachelor of Science with Honors in Biomedical Engineering from Alabama State University. Outside of the lab, she enjoys cooking, traveling, watching movies, and playing soccer.

  • Arina Zadvomaya

    Community Engagement Chair

    Arina Zadvornaya (az499@cornell.edu) is a Ph.D. student in the Schaffer-Nishimura lab studying the neuroscience of mouse Alzheimer’s disease models and advancing instrumentation and in-vivo imaging techniques. She received her bachelor’s degree in Physics from Wellesley College. In her free time, Arina enjoys photography, music, and video games.

  • Manav Surti

    Professional Development Co-Chair

    Manav Surti (mks283@cornell.edu) is a Ph.D. student in the Bonassar Lab working on cartilage lubrication and mechanobiology. He is from Connecticut and received a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Connecticut. In his free time, Manav enjoys creating music, DJing, reading, and photography

  • Jada Okaikoi

    Professional Development Co-Chair

    Jada Okaikoi (jo466@cornell.edu) is a first-year PhD student in the Zimmerman Lab. She is from Accra, Ghana and received her bachelor’s in biomedical engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno. In her free time, Jada likes to watch football (real football), cook, and read Webtoons.

  • Hannah Sheffield

    Treasurer

    Hannah Sheffield (hrs223@cornell.edu) is a first year Ph.D. Student who is currently rotating in different labs. She is from Mullica Hill, NJ and received her BS degree in Biomedical Engineering from SUNY University at Buffalo. In her free time, Hannah enjoys singing, playing piano, and basketball.

  • Allison Goehl

    Communications

    Allison Goehl (aeg276@cornell.edu) 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 baking.