Dr. Zhong-Yin Zhang, distinguished professor in Purdue University’s Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, has been elected to the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering College of Fellows.
May 5, 2026
The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) has announced the induction of Zhong-Yin Zhang, a distinguished professor in Purdue University’s Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, to its College of Fellows.
Election to the AIMBE College of Fellows is one of the highest professional distinctions in medical and biological engineering, recognizing the top 2% of engineers in the field. Membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions to engineering and medicine research, practice or education, as well as those who have pioneered new and emerging areas of technology.
Zhang was nominated, reviewed and elected by peers and members of the College of Fellows for his contributions to understanding protein tyrosine dephosphorylation in cellular signaling and for advancing the therapeutic targeting of protein tyrosine phosphatases.
“I am humbled and delighted to receive this honor,” he said. “This recognition reflects the collective efforts of my students, postdoctoral researchers and collaborators. Our work aims to better understand tyrosine phosphorylation mediated cellular signaling mechanisms and translate those insights into new therapeutic strategies for cancer, diabetes and obesity, and neurodegenerative and infectious diseases. This acknowledgment helps elevate the importance of that mission.”
Zhang’s research is part of Purdue’s One Health initiative, which involves research at the intersection of human, animal and plant health.
“Dr. Zhang’s election to the AIMBE College of Fellows is a testament to the impact and rigor of his research,” said Eric Barker, Purdue’s Vice President for Health Affairs and the Jeannie and Jim Chaney Dean of Pharmacy. “His work has advanced our understanding of fundamental biological processes while opening new pathways for therapeutic development. This recognition reflects both his scientific leadership and the broader impact of his contributions to human health.”
A formal induction ceremony was held April 13 during the AIMBE Annual Event in Arlington, Virginia. Zhang was inducted alongside 175 colleagues comprising the AIMBE College of Fellows Class of 2026.
While most AIMBE Fellows are based in the United States, the College of Fellows includes members from more than 35 countries working across academia, industry, clinical practice and government.
AIMBE Fellows are among the most accomplished leaders in medical and biological engineering, including Nobel laureates and recipients of the Presidential Medal of Science and the Presidential Medal of Technology and Innovation. Many Fellows also are members of the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences.
About Purdue University
Purdue University is a public research university leading with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities in the United States, Purdue discovers, disseminates and deploys knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 106,000 students study at Purdue across multiple campuses, locations and modalities, including more than 57,000 at our main campus locations in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 14 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap — including its integrated, comprehensive Indianapolis urban expansion; the Mitch Daniels School of Business; Purdue Computes; and the One Health initiative — at https://www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives.
About AIMBE
AIMBE is the authoritative voice and advocate for the value of medical and biological engineering to society. AIMBE’s mission is to recognize excellence, advance public understanding, and accelerate medical and biological innovation. No other organization brings together academic, industry, government, and scientific societies to form a highly influential community advancing medical and biological engineering. AIMBE’s mission drives advocacy initiatives into action on Capitol Hill and beyond.
