HOST INSTITUTIONS ( cont ’ d )
University of the District of Columbia Receives NSF Grant in Support Of New Biomedical Engineering Program
The University of the District of Columbia ( UDC ) recently received a three-year National Science Foundation ( NSF ) grant entitled “ Integration , Cultivation , and Exposure to Biomedical Engineering at the University of the District of Columbia ” in the amount of $ 399,991 to support UDC ’ s newly established Biomedical Engineering ( BME ) Program . Dr . Lara Thompson ’ s ( Principal Investigator ) project goals are to : 1 ) Integrate new courses in BME ; 2 ) Cultivate prospective students at DC area community colleges and high schools towards the pursuit of a degree in BME at UDC ; and 3 ) Expose and enlighten DC area community college and high school students , UDC students , and UDC faculty to current trends and research in BME . Her long-term goal is to increase the number of women and ethnic minorities pursuing careers and advanced degrees in BME .
Dr . Thompson ( Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering , Director of the BME Program ) is working diligently to establish a strong BME research and education infrastructure at UDC , the nation ’ s only urban land-grant institution and a historically black college & university ( HBCU ). Dr . Thompson serves as the Director of 1 of 2 HBCU ’ s nationwide that offers a Bachelor of Science ( BS ) in Biomedical Engineering . In addition , she is the Director of the University ’ s new , state-of-the-art BME Laboratory ( Center for Biomechanical & Rehabilitation Engineering , CBRE ) which focuses on investigations involving balance in un-impaired ( e . g ., athletes and nonathletes ) and impaired subjects ( e . g ., fall-prone elderly ).
The BME program is housed in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences ( SEAS ). Dr . Devdas Shetty , Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences , indicates , Biomedical Engineering has emerged as a medium combining medicine and engineering to provide materials , tools and techniques advancing health care research , diagnosis and treatment . Based on the needs of the UDC community , since 2014 , the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences has placed a special emphasis on the academic program and research in the area of Biomedical Engineering ; Dr . Shetty says , “ Under the management of the Mechanical Engineering Department , highly motivated students who wish to focus their engineering careers on assisting in the struggle against illness and disease may concentrate their efforts in Biomedical Engineering . The Biomedical Engineering program is designed to prepare students for productive , rewarding careers in the engineering profession , either for entry-level practice in biomedical engineering or for entrance into appropriate graduate programs . Our graduates are expected to become successful practicing engineers in biomedical engineering fields and will advance professionally by accepting responsibilities and , potentially , pursuing leadership roles . In addition , those graduates who enter the health professions will utilize their engineering knowledge in this pursuit . Biomedical Engineers from UDC will be contributing members of multidisciplinary engineering teams , successfully apply the fundamentals of engineering analysis and engineering design to the formulation and solution of emerging technical problems ” .
“ Expanding Sponsored Programs and Research Possibilities With Contracts : Understanding The Requirements For Success ” June 7-10 , 2016 Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel , Arlington , VA
16