Funding from the National Science Foundation has allowed the establishment of a three-year summer research program where undergraduate engineering students spend 10-12 weeks in Jaipur, India. Six students from one university travelled to Jaipur during the summer of 2015, and four students were sent in the summer of 2016 to conduct research on the Jaipur Foot, a low cost foot prosthesis. Based on the successes and difficulties from the 2015 year, a number of changes were employed to improve both the educational and research goals for the 2016 year. One major change to the program included adding a research component to the independent study course students take during the semester prior to traveling abroad. This spring 2016 course focused on preparing students from not only a cultural standpoint, but also on technical content specific to the project, including the use of material testing systems and finite element analysis. The goal of this independent study course was to minimize adjustment time upon arrival in India. In 2016, students from two separate universities were selected, which provided an opportunity to work with both Indian and American scientists whom they had not previously collaborated with. The targeted improvements made in the second year allowed better technical preparation and further development of collaborative and teamwork skills. These goals will be evaluated using a broad range of metrics, including student journals from India, pre and post surveys focusing on technical and teamwork skills specific to global competency, and exit interviews. Preliminary observations suggest that students felt better prepared to conduct technical research as a result of the independent study course and that the limited interaction between students of separate universities prior to arrival had no negative impact on teamwork. This study could be used to support technical education projects and preparing a diverse team prior to conducting undergraduate international research programs. This paper will outline the research experience, changes made in the second year, impacts changes made on student learning and technical success, and suggestions for further improvement in the final year of the program.
Benjamin Wheatley was awarded a B.Sc. degree in Engineering from Trinity College (Hartford, CT, USA) in 2011 and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO, USA) in 2017. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Bucknell University. He runs the Mechanics and Modeling of Orthopaedic Tissues Lab and his pedagogical interests include first year engineering, computational analysis, and design.
Kristine Marie Fischenich received a B.Sc. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Mississippi (Oxford, Mississippi, USA) in 2012. Since she has been attending Colorado State University (Fort Collins, Colorado, USA) pursuing graduate degrees. She completed her M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering in 2013 investigating two models for post traumatic osteoarthritis of the knee joint, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering focusing on an artificial meniscal replacement. Her interests include orthopaedics and biomechanics.
Dr. Lisa Abrams is currently the Associate Chair for the Department of Engineering Education at The Ohio State University (OSU). She received her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Mechanical Engineering and PhD degree in Industrial Engineering from Ohio State. She has seven years of industry experience in the areas of Design and Consulting. Her research focuses on the recruitment, retention, and success of undergraduate students, especially those populations who are under-represented in engineering. She has developed and taught a wide variety of engineering courses in First Year Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at Ohio State. She has received six teaching awards in the last five years at both the College and the Departmental level at OSU.
Dr. Sheryl Sorby is currently a Professor of STEM Education at the University of Cincinnati and was recently a Fulbright Scholar at the Dublin Institute of Technology in Dublin, Ireland. She is a professor emerita of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mec
Dr. Harlal Singh Mali post graduated in CIM from Panjab University, Chandigarh after his graduation in Mechanical Engineering; received his doctoral in Mechanical Engineering from PEC University of Technology (Formally Punjab Engineering College) Chandigarh in 2010. He is presently working as Assistant Professor, in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology. His experience includes 10 years in academics and 10 years in aviation industry. His areas of interest include CAD/CAM/CAE, Advanced Finishing Processes, Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, Micro Manufacturing, Composite / Ceramic Materials, Product Development including Low Cost Prosthetic and Engineering Education.
He has published more than 24 papers in reputed international and national journals on these subjects, presented 31 papers in various national & international conferences including held abroad and delivered many expert lecturers. Applied six patents and working on various funded research project. Did set-up an advanced manufacturing & mechatronics lab and supervised two PhD thesis & 10 ME dissertations.
Passionate to work on product development and guide UG students on national & international competitions. He has mentored various student projects including at international levels namely “Human Powered Vehicle Challenge (HPVC) under ASME, MINI BAJA & Efficycle under SAEINDIA and Autodesk 3D CAD Design Challenge. An active member of IUCEE (Indo US Collaboration for Engineering Education), has taken many initiatives through Active Learning, PBL(Project Based Learning) and IOHC(Industry Oriented Hands on Courses) for effectiveness teaching-learning process.
Dr. Anil Kumar Jain
Anil Kumar Jain graduate (1988), Post graduate (1993) in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation from SMS Medical College, Jaipur, India.
Worked with Dr. P.K. Sethi, Magsaysay 1981 and Rotary International Award winner 2001 (Jaipur foot innovator) in Research projects for Jaipur foot modification and low weight thermoplastic appliances for paralytic disorders, funded by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India (1996).
Qualified as Diplomat of National Board in PM&R in 1995.
Selected in Scientist Pool Scheme under CSIR, New Delhi Government of India (1996 to 1999).
Admitted as member National Academy of Medical Sciences (India) in 1998.
Remained involve in training doctors and technicians from Vietnam, Angola, Mozambique, Bangladesh for Jaipur Rehabilitation Technology.
Joined as assistant consultant under Dr. P.K. Sethi in 1999.
Head of the department since 2008 at Dr. P.K. Sethi Rehabilitation Center,SDMH, Jaipur.
Received young achiever’s award by Jaipur Medical Association (2013).
Received “TIMES WELLNESS RAJASTHAN HEALTH AWARDS 2013” initiated by “Times of India”.
JAIN BHUSHAN AWARD by Jain Social Group International Federation (JSGIF) in Rajkot, Gujarat on 29th March 2014.
Published articles and papers in international and national journals.
Delivered lectures on various topics in conferences organized by Orthopedic Association of SAARC countries (OASAC2014) Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Indian Orthopedic Association, Indian chapter of SICOT.
Selected for Jaipur belt-spinal brace project under US, India science and technology endowment fund (USISTEF), in association with Newndra Foundation, Jaipur and Paul Scott from Med Spark, California, USA.
Selected in 11 members International Advisory Panel to complete the systematic Review for International Society of Prosthetics & Orthotics (ISPO).
Tammy Haut Donahue joined the faculty at Colorado State University (CSU) in December of 2011. She came to CSU after spending eleven years in Mechanical Engineering at Michigan Technological University. Her PhD was in Biomedical Engineering from the University of California at Davis where she earned the Allen Marr Award for distinguished dissertation in Biomedical Engineering in 2000. She is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Biomechanical Engineering and an Editorial Consultant for the Journal of Biomechanics. She is Chair of the Orthopaedic Research Society Meniscus Section, and is a member of the Bioengineering Executive Committee for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Dr. Haut Donahue’s research includes analytical and experimental biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system with ongoing research in orthopedic biomechanics and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. An emphasis is put on prevention, treatment, and repair of injuries to the soft tissue structures of the knee, focusing primarily on the meniscus. With over $15 million in funding from Whitaker Foundation, CDMRP, NIH, NSF, as well as industrial sponsorship her research program has had more than 60 mentees and has national collaborations with Michigan State and Mayo Clinic as well as international collaborations with Trinity College Dublin and Queens University Belfast. Dr. Haut Donahue has more than 65 peer-reviewed publications and is current Associate Department Head for Undergraduate Studies for the Mechanical Engineering Department at CSU. Dr. Haut Donahue was awarded the Ferdinand P. Beer and E. Russell Johnson Jr. Outstanding New Mechanics Educator Award from the American Society of Engineering Education for exceptional contributions to mechanics education. Dr. Haut Donahue is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
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