top of page

Pedagogical Innovation 

Cultivating Engineers in Medicine:

Interdisciplinary Engaged Learning for Biomedical Innovation in Undergraduate Education. 

18.jpg

Mission

Dr. Tan is leading a collaborative educational project with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) and TTU Innovation Hub on implementing a one-year research-centered course where undergraduate students work with medical students on commonly encountered clinical problems. The goal is to transform the current transmission teaching approach in undergraduate STEM education to a transactional team-learning model to prepare the nation’s next generation biomedicine workforce. This course is among the first attempts in the US to have STEM undergraduate students team up with medical students, mentored by cross-institutional teams of faculty and industry experts in an interdisciplinary environment for multi-skill development. 

Strategy

  • An elective, two-semester course was offered by TTU WCOE—IE 4331: Biomedical Innovation. The first semester (fall) prepares undergraduate students to identify, explore, and analyze the authentic problem as well as develop soft skills necessary to effectively communicate as team members. The second semester course focuses on product prototyping, performance evaluation, and product optimization.

  • Team-based learning (TBL) is the instructional method used to develop team communication, organize a specific sequence of group work, and provide immediate feedback and accountability for the learner.

  • Medical students from the TTUHSC will participate in this course through the Sling Health National Network. Medical students and Engineering students will work in teams to develop novel devices and software applications targeting unmet clinical needs. 

  • A cross-institutional faculty mentorship team will establish knowledge base and skills scaffolding for an efficient and engaging undergraduate research experience.

  • In essence, the program will train students for biomedical product development and optimization of research transfer to market. 

ie 4331.png.jpg
Screenshot 2022-09-11 143749.png

Outcome

•    Local facility distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) to address domestic PPE shortages in hospitals.
•    3D printing of low-cost laryngoscope heads that can contain a small camera and feed through the laryngoscope blade.
•    Development of a single wrap for child immobilization during X-ray examination to prevent undesirable radiation exposure on personnel.
•    Design an adjustable tracheal tube to reduce the tracheal tube inventory and operation cost in the healthcare system.
•  Development of a genetic database that offers diagnostic information through a navigable and understandable interface. 
•   Development of a wearable product that provides immediate response to sudden cardiac arrests for high-risk patients.

•  A novel reusable microfiltration mask fabricated by electrospinning.
•    An expandable and lightweight splint to protect and support fractured or injured bones.

bottom of page