Sarah I. Rooney

Sarah I. Rooney serves as Associate Professor and Associate Chair of Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Studies at the University of Delaware's College of Engineering, where she develops and teaches core curriculum courses including biomechanics, medical devices, and clinical immersion. Her teaching-focused appointment emphasizes continuous program improvement and industry-clinical integration through an NIH R25 grant-funded medical devices course.

Her educational credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania (2015)
• M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan (2010)
• B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan (2009)

Dr. Rooney's research spans three interconnected domains: Engineering Education focusing on evidence-based instructional methods; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives for inclusive engineering environments; and Engineering Design and Innovation addressing clinical unmet needs through student-clinician collaborations. Her foundational work examined musculoskeletal tissue responses to exercise and pharmaceuticals.

Publication analysis reveals a strategic shift from biomechanics (2015-2018) toward educational scholarship (2019-2025), with recent work emphasizing inclusive pedagogy, curriculum innovation, and student engagement strategies in biomedical engineering education.

Her accolades include:

• American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Biomedical Engineering Teaching Award (2018)
• University of Delaware College of Engineering Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching (2022)
• ASEE Biomedical Engineering Division Best Work in Progress Award (2024)
• ASEE Faculty Development Division Best Diversity Paper Award (2020)
• ASEE Best Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Paper Award Finalist (2020)

As NIH R25 grant PI, she directs curriculum development initiatives while mentoring undergraduate design teams through capstone projects. Her leadership extends to faculty development programs promoting inclusive teaching practices across engineering disciplines.

Dr. Rooney actively collaborates with clinicians and industry partners through medical device design projects, maintaining strong connections between academic training and real-world engineering applications.