Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is proud to announce that Pingkun Yan, Ph.D., associate professor of Biomedical Engineering at RPI, has been appointed chair of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) Technical Committee on Biomedical Imaging and Image Processing (BIIP).

The IEEE EMBS BIIP Technical Committee plays a leading role in advancing the field of biomedical imaging and image processing, promoting collaboration among academic, clinical, and industry leaders. In this new role, Yan will guide the committee’s efforts in fostering innovation, organizing symposia and workshops, and supporting the professional development of researchers in this rapidly evolving discipline.

“I am honored to serve as chair of the BIIP Technical Committee,” said Yan. “This is an exciting time for biomedical imaging and image processing, as new technologies continue to reshape the ways we understand and diagnose diseases. I look forward to working with colleagues across the field to help drive progress and support the next generation of researchers.”

At RPI, Yan leads research that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve medical imaging and image-guided procedures. Through close collaboration with clinicians, his work bridges the gap between cutting-edge research and real-world healthcare applications. Yan’s contributions have helped advance how we detect and treat diseases through imaging, leading to his widespread recognition in the field. He has published more than 110 peer-reviewed journal papers, holds over 12 issued patents, and is a recipient of several major honors, including the NSF CAREER Award and the NIH Trailblazer Award. He was also appointed to be an IEEE EMBS Distinguished Lecturer for 2025-26. His efforts continue to position RPI at the forefront of biomedical innovation through research, mentorship, and global collaboration.

The RPI community congratulates Yan on this prestigious appointment and looks forward to the continued impact of his leadership in advancing biomedical imaging technologies.