Improving bioengineering education through human-centered design.
Official title: Applying a Human-Centered Design Approach to Enhance Bioengineering Education
Funded at Rice University · NIH-10829385 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping bioengineering students at Rice University learn by working together on real healthcare projects, especially for kids, so they can better understand the challenges in delivering care and create useful solutions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rice University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $43,459 |
| NIH project number | 5R25EB034204-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10829385 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation in this research include bioengineering seniors and pediatric residents interested in applying design principles to healthcare challenges.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in the educational process or who do not have access to the participating institutions may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing bioengineering education by implementing a human-centered design approach. It involves bioengineering seniors at Rice University working in interdisciplinary teams to develop functional prototypes based on real-world project ideas sourced from faculty, physicians, and industry leaders. The program includes a clinical immersion component, allowing students to engage directly with healthcare delivery challenges, particularly in pediatric care. By collaborating with pediatric residents, the students will gain valuable insights into the healthcare system and the needs of patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved educational outcomes for bioengineering students, ultimately resulting in better-designed medical technologies that address patient needs.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of integrating clinical immersion into bioengineering education is innovative, similar educational programs have shown success in enhancing student engagement and outcomes in other fields.
Where this research is happening
-
Rice University
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abidi, Sabia — Rice University
- Study coordinator: Abidi, Sabia
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.