Michael Jacobson

Michael Jacobson serves as Dean of the School of Science & Engineering and Professor of Engineering at the University of Northwestern - St. Paul, following over twenty years of faculty and administrative service at universities in the United Arab Emirates. His expertise spans biomedical engineering and engineering education, with significant contributions to physiological signal instrumentation and diabetes research.

His academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. from Edinburgh Napier University, UK
• M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota
• B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota

Dr. Jacobson's research centers on diabetes-related physiological mechanisms, particularly cardiovascular effects in diabetic rat models. His work investigates obesity-diabetes interactions, insulin treatment impacts, and electrocardiogram abnormalities using Zucker, Goto-Kakizaki, and streptozotocin-induced rat models. He also pioneered engineering education methodologies for freshman design curriculum development.

Analysis of his publications reveals two dominant research trajectories: (1) Diabetes-cardiovascular pathophysiology using specialized animal models (80% of works), focusing on heart rhythm, QT intervals, and metabolic parameters; (2) Engineering education innovation (20% of works), emphasizing structured design experiences for early-career engineers. His interdisciplinary approach bridges biomedical instrumentation with clinical physiology.

Notable scientific recognitions include:

• 2011 Endowed Dean of Industrial Engineering Technology
• 2008 Best UAE University Interdisciplinary Research Award
• 2004 UAE IT Educational Challenge Best Teacher’s Project
• 1986–1988 Institute of Technology Corporate Fellowship
• 1986 ETA KAPPA NU and TAU BETA PI Honor Society inductions
• 1984–1985 Electrical Engineering Kodak Scholarship

As a Senior Member of IEEE and ABET Program Evaluator, Dr. Jacobson maintains active roles in engineering accreditation and professional societies including BMES, ASEE, and EMBS. His teaching portfolio encompasses Biomedical Instrumentation, Control Systems, and Signals coursework, reflecting his dual expertise in electrical engineering and physiological systems. While current advising details aren't specified, his extensive publication record demonstrates sustained research mentorship capacity.