For immediate release: November 12, 2003
For more information, contact Creg Jantz at 216-368-6517 or creg.jantz@case.edu

CLEVELAND—Swimmer Elaine Hillenmeyer worries about four things while in the water at Case Western Reserve University: making explosive turns, properly pacing her legs, maintaining her breathing pattern and researching bone cell growth.

Elaine Hillenmeyer

What?

Hillenmeyer, a biomedical engineering major who has received Dean's High Honors every semester of her college career, turns in her white lab jacket and microscope for her racing suit and swim cap a little over midway through each day at Case.

So which does she prefer, pool or lab?

"That's a tough one," said Hillenmeyer. "I spend enough time at both places that when I am finished I like to get away from each one. They're both challenging, but in different ways-mentally challenging in the lab, physically challenging in the pool. One is a good break from the other."

A break is something Hillenmeyer didn't get before starting school this fall. She spent her summer vacation at Purdue University near her hometown of Carmel, Ind. researching bone cell growth. She was testing a new type of material that could be used for orthopedic implants.

Her project was part of the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, sponsored by the National Science Foundation. This program brought 10 students from universities around the country to Purdue to spend the summer conducting biomedical engineering research.

Hillenmeyer recently shared her results at a Biomedical Engineering Society meeting in Nashville, Tenn. Her study examined bone cell response to various crystal phases (five) of a material called alumina. This material is currently used in orthopedic implants, primarily as a coating.

"What we were trying to do is see if one type of crystal phase was better for bone cell growth than another, so we could say to an orthopedic company you should use a certain phase of alumina for your coatings because that's the type the bone cells like best," she said.

Although she saw differences, the study probably won't have an immediate impact. The research needs to be continued in animal models and eventually to human testing. Hillenmeyer said the end application eventually could change the type of material that, say, a hip implant is made out of.
Like with swimming, Hillenmeyer's interest in health care came early.

"It started when I was younger," said Hillenmeyer. "I had medical problems and was around the medical community a lot. I got to know what it was like to be in the hospital, and it made me want to help people who are sick."

For four years (ages 9-12) she had a blood disease and was in and out of medical facilities for many tests. At age 12 she had her spleen removed. All this peaked her interest in how the body works.

"I wanted to know how things go wrong with the body, what makes them go wrong and when it does go wrong, how you fix it," Hillenmeyer explained.

There has been nothing wrong with her performance on the Case women's swim team the past two seasons. Hillenmeyer earned All-American honors both her freshman and sophomore seasons. Her strokes are the free and fly.

"I didn't have a lot of expectations going in one way or the other as far as whether I would be going to nationals or scoring at nationals," Hillenmeyer said. "I just wanted to come here and contribute to the team."

Hillenmeyer will soon be contributing to a team in the business world instead of one in the pool. She is currently interviewing with companies for a co-op position for the second semester of this year, forfeiting the second half of her junior season and a chance for a third straight All-American run.

"It's hard to think about the spring and to hear people talk about the conference meet and nationals and know that I am not going to be here," said Hillenmeyer.

Hillenmeyer will return for a full season with the Spartans next fall. But for now she is putting personal matters before the pool with the bigger picture in mind.

"As much as I love swimming, and I love it," Hillenmeyer admitted, "after college I am not going to swim anymore. I had to decide what my priorities were, and I decided that my professional career took priority over my swimming career."

AFTER UNDERGRAD
Upon graduation from Case in the spring of 2005, Hillenmeyer plans on pursuing graduate studies, most likely a doctorate in biomedical engineering. After that she hasn't decided whether she will go into academics or industry.

"I have enjoyed doing research and really like the academic environment, but I don't know what the industrial environment is like," said Hillenmeyer. "I don't know what it is like to work at a company, which is why I wanted to do a co-op."

HIGH SCHOOL HYPE

Hillenmeyer, a 2001 graduate of Westfield High School, was a four-time all-conference (Hoosier Crossroads) and two-time all-state selection in Indiana. She finished third in her class academically with a 4.0 grade point average.

SISTER ACT

Hillenmeyer's older sister, Maureen, is currently pursuing a doctorate at Stanford University in bio-informatics (using computers to analyze biological problems). She graduated from Notre Dame University in 2002 and was also a varsity swimmer. They swam on the same team at Westfield High School Maureen's senior year. Elaine was a freshman.

About Case Western Reserve University

Case is among the nation's leading research institutions. Founded in 1826 and shaped by the unique merger of the Case Institute of Technology and Western Reserve University, Case is distinguished by its strengths in education, research, and service. Located in Cleveland, Case offers nationally recognized programs in the Arts and Sciences, Dentistry, Engineering, Law, Management, Medicine, Nursing, and Social Sciences. http://www.case.edu.

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