Bylaws of CBTE
Article 1 - Name and Purpose
1. The name of the Center is the Center for Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering (CBTE) {formerly the Center for Cellular and Biosurface Engineering},Duke University Durham, North Carolina.
2. The activities of the Center include promotion of The University Program in Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering (formerly The University Program in Cellular and Biosurface Engineering), presentation of a seminar series, and other functions that promote teaching, basic and translational research, and technology transfer in Molecular, Cellular and Tissue Engineering.
3. The University Program in Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering is a multidisciplinary Program that integrates activities in engineering, the life sciences and medicine. Participating faculty are based in Departments across the University, including the Departments of Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Cell Biology, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Medicine, Neurobiology, Ophthalmology, Radiation Oncology and Surgery. The Program emphasizes research, education and interactions with industry. The focus of the Program is upon biological molecules, cells and tissues, and the materials (both natural and synthetic) with which they interact - in natural biological processes, and in medical diagnosis and therapy. Such work spans the most basic research to direct research applications and implementations in medicine and health care.
Article 2 - Membership
1. Center faculty members have primary and/or secondary appointments in degree granting Departments in Duke University or in clinical Departments within Duke University Medical Center. The research interests of the participating departments cover a wide range of fundamental and applied topics, many of which are important to biotechnology. Engineering Department faculty provide expertise that includes biomaterials, material property characterizations, functional evaluation, surface modifications, cell culture, and material, tissue and cell biomechanics. Chemistry Department faculty provide expertise that includes surface patterning, protein immobilization, polymer fabrication, and separations. Physics Department faculty provide expertise that includes materials science, instrumentation and general biophysics. Faculty from the biomedical sciences and clinical Departments provide expertise that includes system and cellular physiology, biophysics, instrumentation, protein engineering, protein structure and function, oncology, and cell culture.
2. Prospective Center members are nominated by the existing membership to the Steering Committee of the Center. Nominees submit a curriculum vitae and a letter of intent. Membership approval is based upon four factors: (1) vigorous research program; (2) collaborative research activities with existing members and/or interest in developing such collaborations, including introduction of new scientific and technological methodologies; (3) dedication to graduate research training; and (4) sincere interest in conducting cross-disciplinary research on the boarders of science, engineering and medicine. Members are approved by the Steering Committee for periods of three years. Continued membership in the Center is based upon the same four factors as initial appointment.
Article 3 - Directorship, Duties, and Term of Office
1. The Dean of Graduate School, the Dean of Engineering, and the Vice Provost for Interdisciplinary Studies jointly oversee the Center and its Director(s).
2. The Center is managed by a Director or Co-Directors, and an Assistant to the Director. The Director(s) and his or her assistant are responsible for the daily management, operation, and administration of the Center and its activities.
3. The Center Director is selected by a majority vote of the Center Steering Committee from nominations submitted by Center members. Directorship appointments are approved jointly by the Dean of Graduate School, the Dean of Engineering, and the Vice Provost for Interdisciplinary Studies. Each Director serves an initial term of 3 years, with an option of extending the appointment another two years. Renewal will be considered on a case-by-case basis. When the Directorship is due for renewal, members of the Center are invited to make recommendations for a new Director in writing to the Steering Committee.
4. Center members are canvassed annually by the Director(s) for suggestions to improve the Center.
Article 4 - Advisory Boards
1. The Steering Committee helps formulate planning for the Center, and reviews progress. It approves and reviews Center membership, approves the awarding of certificates to students, assesses progress of Fellows supported by the NIGMS-sponsored Biotechnology Training Grant, selects new Training Grant Fellows. The Steering Committee also oversees the planning of symposia, partnerships and internship training in industry, ethics training and the seminar series. The committee consists of the Director(s), at least three representatives from the Pratt School of Engineering, at least one from Trinity College, at least two from the Duke Medical Center, and one non-voting graduate student. Steering Committee membership consists of renewable three year terms. Members of the Steering Committee are nominated to the Director(s) by Center membership, and final selections are made by two-thirds majority vote of the existing Committee. Members of the Steering Committee serve renewable three year terms. They are expected to participate actively in the affairs of the Center, and to serve as chairs of sub-committees. The student member serves for one year, and is chosen via an election by students working with Center faculty. The Steering Committee oversees this election and approves the student elected.
2. One member of the Steering Committee, other than the Center Director, is elected to chair the committee for a term of one year. The vote is by the existing Steering Committee, and requires a two-thirds majority. The position of chair of the Steering Committee is renewable for up to three years.
3. The activities of the Steering Committee are undertaken in part by sub-committees, chaired by Steering Committee members, including the following:
Industrial Partners Program
Training Grant in CBE
Membership
Ethics Training
Seminar Series
Annual Symposium
Web Page
Additional sub-committees are created as needed.
4. The Steering Committee also appoints a Director of Graduate Studies for the Center, a Coordinator of Industrial Internships, and a Coordinator of the Annual Symposium.
5. An External Advisory Board advises the Center on programs and policy. Members of the External Advisory Board are recruited from several professions, including industry, other academic institutions, government and medicine. The Board is chosen by the Steering Committee.
Article 5 - Working Groups
1. These are created as needed by the Steering Committee.
Article 6 - Meetings
1. Any two members of the Steering Committee or either of the Directors may call a meeting of the Steering Committee.
2. The Steering Committee meets at least four times per year.
3. The Center holds an annual Symposium, which focuses upon critical issues in one or more areas, including education, research, and technology transfer.
4. The External Advisory Board meets at least once per year, at the annual Symposium.
Article 7 - Amending Bylaws
1.These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of members of the Steering Committee. Recommendations for amending these bylaws may be made by the Center Director(s) or members of the Steering Committee. The Center membership may propose amendments to the Center Director(s) or members of the Steering Committee for consideration.
2. These bylaws and the governance of the Center must be consistent with guidelines for Centers at Duke University.
October 2002