Huihui Qi

Huihui Qi is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of California San Diego (UC San Diego), part of the Jacobs School of Engineering. Her research focuses on engineering education pedagogy, inclusive teaching practices, and student learning strategies. She leads NSF-funded initiatives, including projects on oral exams to enhance conceptual mastery and interventions to foster self-regulated learners.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Rutgers University–New Brunswick
• Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Grand Valley State University (prior to UC San Diego)

Research Interests:

Professor Qi’s work emphasizes pedagogical innovations such as inquiry-based learning, assessment design, and project-based learning. She investigates interventions to improve students’ metacognition, growth mindset, and learning strategies, with a focus on equity in engineering education. Her research has been featured in outlets like the Wall Street Journal and EdSurge.

Awards:

• ASEE Mechanics Division Best Paper Award
• UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering Best Teacher Award (2021, 2022, 2023)
• UC San Diego Integrity Award (2021)

Advising & Grants:

Leads cross-campus teams on NSF-funded projects, including “Improving Conceptual Mastery via Oral Exams” and “Empowering Self-Regulated Learners.” Collaborates on initiatives expanding sustainable practices across engineering disciplines.

Labs/Teams:

Coordinates educational innovation efforts within the Jacobs School of Engineering, focusing on scalable interventions to enhance student success and equity.