Computational Bioengineering Summer Research Experience  for Undergraduates: Launching an REU Program during a Pandemic

Edward Sander; Joshua Lobb; James Ankrum; Nicholas Bowman; Solomon Fenton-Miller

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Conference: 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Publication Date: August 23, 2022
Start Date: June 26, 2022
End Date: June 29, 2022
Conference Session: NSF Grantees Poster Session
Page Count: 9
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--41962
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/41962
Download Count: 316

Paper Authors

biography

Edward Sander The University of Iowa

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Dr. Sander is an Associate Professor in the Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Iowa, with secondary appointments in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering and Orthopedics and Rehabilitation. He is also the Director of Graduate Studies and the Director of the University of Iowa Computational Bioengineering NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates. Dr. Sander combines experimental and computational methods to understand how physical forces and mechanical environment contribute to the mechanobiology of tissue remodeling, particularly with respect to fibrotic tissue formation. He obtained his BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 2000 and his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Tulane University in 2006. He was a postdoctoral fellow at the Universities of Minnesota and Cincinnati before joining the faculty at Iowa in 2011.

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Abstract

During the summer of 2021, the University of Iowa began a 10-week Research Experience for Undergraduates Site on the theme of “Computational Bioengineering” (NSF #2049044). The program goals were to: (1) encourage participation of women, underrepresented minorities (URM), and students with limited research opportunities; (2) teach fundamental concepts of computational bioengineering and apply them to solve biomedical problems; (3) enhance oral and written scientific communication skills; (4) provide instruction on how to conduct research ethically and responsibly; and (5) prepare participants to pursue graduate studies and careers in a STEM field. Eleven students were mentored by faculty from the departments of Biomedical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Radiology, and Orthopedics. In addition to an immersive research experience in the mentor’s lab, students participated in weekly workshops on: (1) written and oral communication; (2) an introduction to computing focused primarily on python and machine learning; (3) a mix of seminars and journal club meetings on topics involving computing and medicine; and (4) professional development skills, networking, and applying to grad school. At the conclusion of the program, students submitted a two to three-page IEEE styled abstract and presented a poster at a program poster session hosted in the College of Engineering. A formal assessment of the REU experience was conducted externally. Students participated in a focus group to discuss aspects of the program that were beneficial and where improves could be made. Students also completed the Entering Research Learning Assessment (ERLA) to better measure trainee experiences. Mentors also completed their portion of the ERLA. Survey outcomes are presented along with responsive measures taken to improve the experience for next years cohort.

Citation
Format

Sander, E., & Lobb, J., & Ankrum, J., & Bowman, N., & Fenton-Miller, S. (2022, August), Computational Bioengineering Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates: Launching an REU Program during a Pandemic Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN. 10.18260/1-2--41962