Transforming Biomedical Engineering via Studio Learning Pedagogy

About This Grant

Project Summary/Abstract Section The goal of this program aligns with NIGMS R25 IPERT objectives to enhance workforce training in an area of unmet biomedical need. Quantitative systems engineering competencies play a critical role in preparing biomedical engineers to address healthcare challenges at the interface of living and non-living systems, an essential step toward building a strong and sustainable biomedical workforce. However, biomedical engineering (BME) graduates struggle to demonstrate these competencies in ways visible to employers and graduate programs, undermining workforce competitiveness despite growing demand. This proposal brings together a consortium of institutions to rigorously test and disseminate PRIME (Physiological system identification, Ranked constraints, Interactive block diagrams, Mathematical modeling, Evidence-based solutions), a studio-based pedagogical framework that develops quantitative biological systems engineering competencies across varied BME programs nationally. We propose an approach that is community-driven, with faculty, teaching assistants, students, and implementation science researchers coming together into a national network at various entry points to (a) identify institutional factors enabling successful implementation, (b) adapt PRIME to local contexts while maintaining effectiveness, (c) join development teams to create studio problems and assessment tools, and (d) serve as early adopters testing resources across varied settings. Through four integrated aims, we will: (1) establish the evidence base by finalizing 25 studio problems, assessing PRISM reliability (ICC >0.80), and analyzing Cornell data; (2) test PRIME at four partner institutions from R1 universities to primarily undergraduate institutions, implementing studios in at least two courses per site with standardized data collection and employer surveys benchmarking graduate competencies against workforce needs; (3) build national capacity through annual week-long faculty workshops training 6-8 institutional teams per year with year-long support, and develop an eCornell course and comprehensive textbook; (4) advance implementation science to examine how institutional characteristics and faculty adoption factors influence sustained pedagogical change and workforce preparation outcomes. The program will train 30+ faculty from 15+ institutions over five years. PRIME requires minimal infrastructure—existing classrooms and cloud-based platforms—making it accessible to resource-constrained institutions. Implementation grants support teaching assistant stipends and faculty time; partner institutions additionally receive aggregated cross-institutional performance benchmarks and co-authorship opportunities as incentives for sustained data partnership. All PRIME content and resources will be freely accessible through a comprehensive public website, open to all BME programs nationwide. The goal is to increase the number of biomedical engineers with quantitative systems engineering competencies to advance transformative research and innovation at the interface of living and non-living systems.