The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, or AIMBE, has inducted Christopher H. Contag, the James and Kathleen Cornelius Chair in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Microbiology, Genetics and Immunology; and director of the Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering at Michigan State University, into its College of Fellows.

Contag was nominated, reviewed, and elected by peers and members of the College of Fellows “for pioneering imaging tools that accelerated drug development, transformed many fields of research, and laid the foundation for molecular imaging.” He joins the top two percent of medical and biological engineers recognized for their contributions in teaching, research, and innovation.

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I've had to collaborate with exceptional scientists and engineers in designing and building impactful solutions to pressing challenges in biomedicine,” said Contag. “As an AIMBE Fellow, I am excited to work alongside the esteemed members of this community to communicate the significance of new biomedical innovations to both society and government. Recent advances in biomedical engineering have the potential to transform human health, and I am eager to contribute to the successful integration of groundbreaking technologies into healthcare.”

MSU College of Engineering Interim Dean John Papapolymerou expressed pride in Contag’s accomplishments.

“Christopher Contag is a shining example of the Spartan engineering spirit. His drive to innovate in the biomedical engineering space to solve current issues is unmatched. And his collaborative approach helps to bring the best minds together for the greater good. Christopher’s professional integrity and the affinity he’s built among his peers is an inspiration to us all.”

Contag becomes the seventh person at MSU to be named an AIMBE Fellow. Others include Associate Dean for Inclusion and Diversity and Professor of Mechanical Engineering Tamara ReidBush, MSU Research Foundation Professor Guowei Wei, University Distinguished Professor Christina Chan, Former Interim MSU President and Professor of Biomedical Engineering Teresa Woodruff, MSU Outstanding Alumnus and Adjunct Professor Larry P. Walker, and retired University Distinguished Professor Bruce Dale.

A formal induction ceremony was held during the AIMBE Annual Event at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Arlington, Virginia on March 31, 2025. Contag was inducted along with 171 colleagues who make up the AIMBE College of Fellows class of 2025.

While most AIMBE Fellows hail from the United States, the College of Fellows has inducted Fellows representing more than 30 countries. AIMBE Fellows are employed in academia, industry, clinical practice, and government.

AIMBE Fellows are among the most distinguished medical and biological engineers including four Nobel Prize laureates and 27 Presidential Medal of Science and/or Technology and Innovation awardees. Additionally, 233 Fellows have been inducted to the National Academy of Engineering, 120 inducted to the National Academy of Medicine, and 51 inducted to the National Academy of Sciences. 

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