Diana R. Haidar

Diana R. Haidar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University's College of Engineering, where she joined in fall 2017. She plays a leading role in developing the university's Maker Ecosystem, particularly through TechSpark, promoting hands-on, active learning in engineering education.

Her research and teaching interests focus on additive manufacturing, 3D printing, and maker-based learning. She advocates for experiential education and has led student teams in multidisciplinary make-a-thons, including efforts to redesign safer hockey rink boards and fabricate face shields during the pandemic. She is also deeply committed to diversity in STEM through youth outreach.

Haidar's media presence includes being quoted in Popular Science on the transformative potential of 3D printing in manufacturing and customization, and her work with students was featured in the Boston Globe. She is a key figure in advancing academic makerspace initiatives, having participated in the 2023 International Symposium on Academic Makerspaces (ISAM).

Education:

• Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware (2017)
• B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2011)

Scientific and Public Engagement:

• Quoted in Popular Science on 3D printing technology
• Featured in Boston Globe for student-led Rethink the Rink Make-A-Thon
• Involved in CMU Engineering’s Tech Spark initiatives for student access to fabrication tools
• Participant in international academic makerspace symposiums

Haidar advises student teams and integrates real-world design challenges into her teaching. While formal grants are not listed, her leadership in campus-wide maker infrastructure suggests involvement in educational innovation funding. She leads efforts to connect students with training and tools in TechSpark, enhancing interdisciplinary project-based learning.

She is affiliated with CMU’s Tech Spark, a central hub for student, faculty, and staff access to advanced manufacturing tools, where systems have been developed to streamline training and machine access. Her work bridges engineering practice with pedagogical innovation, fostering a culture of making across the College of Engineering.