UF BME faculty member Sarah Rowlinson, Ph.D., lecturer (teaching-track professor), will receive the TERMIS-AM 2020 Educational Award during the TERMIS-AM conference. The Educational Award is presented based on the educational accomplishments of an individual who serves as an advisor/supervisor of students within the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Rowlinson focuses on course content development and delivery for two courses: Introduction to Biomedical Engineering (freshman) and Cellular Engineering Laboratory (junior). Rowlinson maintains the dedicated teaching laboratory for the Cellular Engineering Course, and is currently conducting engineering education research in this environment; specifically, (1) the use of novel documentation software and its influence on student participation and performance and (2) the use of gamification first-person perspective and cooperative/competitive learning using live streaming of lab techniques.

Rowlinson is currently the Undergraduate Coordinator for the department. Her responsibilities include developing and implementing academic and professional advising tools and programs that serve the department. She is also a faculty advisor for the local student chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society and BMEntors. Her below contributions to science demonstrate active participation in the community of scholarship of teaching and learning, with conference/workshop attendance and publications in the field.

Rowlinson is interested in broadening participation of groups underrepresented in STEM and has been active in these national efforts by hosting several events sponsored by the University of Florida: Society of Women in Engineering, Gator Engineering, Gator Outreach Initiative, First Generation Advocate Program, and University Minority Mentor Program; along with serving as a judge in the county and regional science fairs. During her graduate studies she participated in the NSF I-Corps program as team Entrepreneurial Lead, which now provide her the business model mindset needed to implement sustainable and scalable engagement strategies. She is a member of the UF BME Undergraduate Programs Committee and Design Sequence working group. Rowlinson is highly integrated into the biomedical engineering department and fully supports programs and initiatives meant to benefit the undergraduate students’ experience.