David Gatchell

David Gatchell is a Clinical Professor in the McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University, holding joint appointments in the departments of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. His research focuses on undergraduate engineering education, emphasizing global, societal, economic, and environmental (GSEE) factors in design education. He leads NIH-funded initiatives to develop biomedical engineering infrastructure in Nigeria, fostering locally driven medical innovations. He is affiliated with the Segal Design Institute and has collaborated across disciplines to enhance engineering education.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Boston University
• A.B. in Physics, Bowdoin College

Research Interests: Dr. Gatchell’s work bridges education and global health engineering. He designs curricula to integrate GSEE considerations into engineering design, ensuring graduates address real-world challenges. His Africa-focused projects aim to create sustainable biomedical solutions through interdisciplinary collaboration between business, engineering, and medical fields. He emphasizes 'home-grown' innovations tailored to local needs in sub-Saharan Africa.

Grants & Collaborations:

• NIH Fogarty Center grant for biomedical infrastructure in Nigeria
• Interdisciplinary teams across Northwestern’s schools

Labs & Teams: Active contributor to the Segal Design Institute, focusing on design thinking and global health engineering.