Mark Huerta

Dr. Mark Huerta is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech's College of Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Education Systems & Design from Arizona State University and previously served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Virginia Tech and a Lecturer at ASU's Fulton Schools of Engineering. His work centers on creating inclusive, safe, and innovative learning environments in engineering education.

• Ph.D. in Engineering Education Systems & Design, Arizona State University, 2019
• M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Arizona State University, 2015
• B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Arizona State University, 2013

Dr. Huerta's research focuses on psychological safety, mental health and well-being, team dynamics, and project-based learning in engineering education. He applies qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to understand student and faculty experiences, with a strong emphasis on mindfulness, faculty development, and humanitarian engineering. His teaching philosophy is shaped by experiential learning programs like EPICS and Global Resolve at ASU.

His recent publications highlight a growing trend in integrating mindfulness and generative AI into engineering education to support student well-being and teamwork skills. His work spans psychological safety in teams, peer feedback systems, and faculty development, reflecting a holistic approach to improving engineering pedagogy.

Dr. Huerta has received numerous honors, including:

• Top 5% Teaching Award, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, ASU (2020)
• Best Paper Award, Multidisciplinary Division, ASEE (2019)
• Best Research Paper Award, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Division, ASEE (2018)
• Barrett Early Career Achievement Award, ASU (2018)
• Pritzker Prize Top 5 Finalist for Emerging Environmental Genius (2017)
• Tempe Sister Cities ‘Making a World of Difference’ Award (2017)

He is actively involved in mentoring students and has co-authored research with numerous advisees and collaborators. He also co-founded 33 Buckets, a nonprofit focused on sustainable clean water solutions, which reflects his commitment to community engagement and humanitarian engineering. His leadership in this area has led to impactful awards and real-world applications of engineering for social good.

Dr. Huerta teaches courses such as Foundations of Engineering I/II, Create: Ideation for Innovation, and Interdisciplinary Projects, emphasizing innovation, ideation, and teamwork.