Allen Wang Awarded Johnson Medal

by Amy Weldon The INBT and Materials Science and Engineering Department alumni Allen Y. Wang (’07) was awarded the Johnson Medal for developing a fast-acting powder to stop disruptive bleeding during surgical procedures. The award recognizes research and development personnel for excellence in breakthrough, innovative work aimed to benefit patients and consumers.

Wang is principal scientist in the Biosurgery R&D team at Ethicon Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, where he developed the Surgicel® Powder Absorbable Hemostat. The interdisciplinary team including scientists, engineers, designers, and clinicians, worked for nearly eight years to develop the life-saving product. Hemostats, medical devices used to control bleeding, exist in many forms, such as fabric, sponges, and liquids, but they are ineffective in uncontrolled bleeding situations. Wang’s goal was to improve successful outcomes for surgeons and patients faced with the phenomenon. The Surgicel® powder, composed of oxidized regenerated cellulose fiber, is made through a series of proprietary and innovative manufacturing processes. The team also developed a delivery device so surgeons have more control when applying the product. Surgicel® Powder is designed to target continuous broad oozing bleeding where the source can be difficult and time consuming to locate, which occurs in more than 50% of all surgeries and procedures. “I am honored to receive the Johnson Medal and I am very grateful to have had this opportunity to work together, innovate, and bring this product to market to help patients,” said Wang. While at Hopkins, Wang studied under many materials science and engineering professors, including INBT faculty Peter Searson, Kalina Hristova, and Hai-Quan Mao. Currently, he supervises an INBT graduate student through the Master’s Industry Co-Op Program, and one of his goals is to inspire early-career researchers to be innovative and inspired by the world around them.