Rena Bizios, a chemical/biomedical engineer by training, has pursued a career in academia. She is now the Lutcher Brown Endowed Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at San Antonio. An advocate for transferring lessons from physiology and biology to bioengineering, she pioneered research using cultured, differentiated, mammalian cells and adult stem cells, investigated and established (i) requirements for cell adhesion and functions on material substrates and (ii) the effects of biophysical stimuli (specifically, cyclic pressure, sustained pressure, electrical stimulation), regarding neotissue formation during wound healing in the presence of implants. This fundamental research established her as leader in the cellular engineering, tissue regeneration fields applicable to implant biomaterials, biocompatibility, and tissue engineering. She co-authored a textbook, co-edited a book, authored/co-authored scientific publications and book-chapters, and is co-inventor of patents/disclosures. She has taught various undergraduate and graduate fundamental engineering and biomedical engineering courses and developed new courses for biomedical engineering curricula. She has trained/advised generations of engineering students and mentored junior faculty. She is member and active participant (including elected officer positions) of several professional societies, and contributor to their annual meetings/conferences. She has given numerous invited seminars/lectures/presentations at academic institutions/industry/conferences. She is member of the Editorial Board of five scientific/engineering journals. Several local/regional and national awards (from SFB, ASEE, AIMBE, SIBF, and SIGMA XI) recognized her contributions to education and research-related accomplishments. She is Fellow of AIChE, AAAS, AIMBE, BMES, IUSBSE and Member of the NAM, TAMEST, IAMBE, Academy of Athens (Greece), NAE, and AAA&S Academies.