Tanja Karp

Tanja Karp is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas Tech University's College of Engineering. She is also a U.S. Fulbright Scholar at the University of South Africa (UNISA). Previously, she served as a Senior Research and Teaching Associate at the Institute of Computer Engineering at Mannheim University, Germany.

• Education: Dipl.-Ing. (M.S.) and Dr.-Ing. (Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering from Hamburg University of Technology, Germany (1993, 1997)

Her research spans digital signal processing, multicarrier communications, and STEM education. She has pioneered K-12 engineering outreach initiatives, including the Get Excited About Robotics (GEAR) competition and its virtual counterpart. Over 1,200 students from 75 schools now participate annually, with a focus on diversity and inclusivity.

Tanja's publications reflect a dual focus on signal processing for technical systems (e.g., radar, wireless sensors) and STEM education innovations (e.g., service-learning pedagogy, robotics competitions). Her work has grown from localized outreach to scalable national programs, emphasizing student mentorship and retention.

Scientific Awards:

• U.S. Fulbright Scholar

She leads K-12 outreach efforts, mentoring engineering students to advise younger participants in robotics challenges. Her contributions to engineering education include curriculum development for digital signal processing and service-learning courses. She also promotes international collaboration in semiconductor engineering.