Increasing Female/Minority Enrollment and Awareness in Biomedical Engineering Through Research Experiences for Undergraduates at Purdue University

Dr. Karen Haberstroh, Purdue University, EEC-0097696

Thirteen undergraduate students (6 women, 7 men, 4 Hispanics, 4 African Americans, 1 Pacific Islander, and 1 Native American) participated in the program and conducted BME-related research in the areas of biosensors, tissue engineering, cell modeling, biomechanics, and biomaterials (http://www.ecn.purdue.edu/BME/REU) during the 10-week summer program. REU students attended weekly lab meetings, visited three BME industries, participated in panel discussions (clinical, academic, and industrial), attended bioethics seminars, and made two operating room/clinic trips to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. Research conducted by these outstanding students resulted in five papers either submitted to or in preparation for publication in highly respected journals.

Montage of 3 pictures of students participating in the Biomedical Engineering REU Program.

In addition, four abstracts have been presented at national BME-related conferences. Exit interviews compiled from the program indicated that students were more likely to enroll in BME graduate programs at the conclusion of the REU program.