Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Committed to Support the Diversity of Our Global Society

We commit ourselves to building an academic community whose members represent and embrace diverse cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences that reflect the multicultural nature of South Florida and the Global Society. Our goal is to build an intellectually vibrant climate that sustains the inclusiveness and engagement of our diverse community.

OUR COMMITMENT

Apply to Biomedical Engineering At FIU

The Department of Biomedical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Computing at Florida International University is committed to the diversity, equity, and inclusion of all persons in our community regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, disability, and country of origin.

Biomedical Engineering, as a discipline, strives to acquire knowledge and find solutions that are capable of positive change in the lives of people. Understanding and inclusion of diversity in ethnicity, race, gender, culture, thought and ability are necessary to find solutions that will allow us to act as agents of change and impact all of humanity. Creating an educational environment that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion will allow us a department to achieve our goals of educating the next generation of biomedical engineers from all backgrounds and with a broad set of personal experiences, values and global views, seek knowledge, and find innovative solutions that impact the health and well-being of all of humanity.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Sudent Diversity At FIU

The Department of Biomedical Engineering was formed in 2003. The FIU Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan adopted by the Department of Biomedical Engineering will create a community of informed, thoughtful, and globally engaged biomedical engineers. We understand the importance of the interconnectedness of our unique voices, and the potential impact that diverse minds, in particular historically underrepresented minority groups and women, can have on reflecting the priorities of the college, university, and national agenda.

Download PDF File
» BME Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan
Download PDF File
» BME Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Report
Download PDF File
» AIMBE- Academic Council Fireside Chat with Ranu Jung, July 28, 2020

 

Biomedical Engineering Demographics for Academic Year 2019-2020

Total Number of Students

Females

Males

Undergraduates

Graduates

%

Hispanic/Latino

%

Non-resident Alien

%

White

%

Black/African-American

%

Asian

%

Two+ Ethnicities

%

Pell Recipients

%

Females

%

Latina Females

%

Black Females

#1 for bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanics

Top 20 to offer BS degrees

#6 in bachelor’s degrees awarded to African Americans

Top 80 for research expenditures

DIVERSITY AT BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lecture

 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion lecture by Dr. Manu Platt

Posted by FIU Biomedical Engineering on Friday, February 8, 2019

 
 
 
BME Graduate Student Sana Nasim earns well-deserved grant
 
 

NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers)

The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), with more than 35,700 members, is one of the largest student-governed organizations in the country. Founded in 1975, NSBE now includes more than 450 College, Pre-College, and Technical Professional/Alumni chapters in the United States and abroad. NSBE’s mission is “to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.”

SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers)

The student chapter at Florida International University is dedicated to fulfill our founding fathers’ dreams to promote and encourage Hispanic participation in engineering and science. Since 1982, SHPE-FIU has been committed to thedevelopment and implementation of programs aimed at successfully recruiting and retaining Hispanic students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

SWE (Society of Women Engineers)

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is the driving force that establishes engineering as a highly desirable career aspiration for women. SWE empowers women to succeed and advance in those aspirations and be recognized for their life-changing contributions and achievements as engineers and leaders.

Biomedical Engineering workforce diversity, capitalizing on the full spectrum of skills, talents, and viewpoints, is essential for solving complex human health challenges. The participation of underrepresented individuals in engineering and medicine is a critical issue affecting our nation’s health and the future of research. The urgent national challenge to diversify the scientific workforce calls for research universities, academic medical centers, and national stakeholders to take action.

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The Precise Advanced Technologies and Health Systems for Underserved Populations (PATHS-UP) Engineering Research Center (ERC) was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2017. The goal of all NSF-ERC funded programs is to integrate engineering research and education with technological innovation to transform national prosperity, health, and security.

The specific vision of our PATHS-UP ERC is to change the paradigm for the health of underserved populations by developing revolutionary and cost-effective technologies and systems at the point-of-care. The initial PATHS-UP technologies and systems are designed to help with chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.

As part of the PATHS-UP team, the Center for Diversity and Student Success in Engineering and Computing provides research opportunities for undergraduate students, high school teachers, and high school students. Additionally, the Center supplements the ERC’s community outreach and culture of inclusion and diversity efforts.

PATHS-UP provides summer research experiences for undergraduates (REU) –   We are committed to recruiting, supporting, and engaging a diverse group of undergraduate students from across the nation and 1st year students from our four partner institutions in a PATHS-UP summer research experience.  Thus, we are looking for students at all levels including first-year students majoring in STEM.  Additionally, students from groups historically underrepresented in STEM as well as students with diverse experiences and/or backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply for a PATHS-UP summer research experience. Students participate in a variety of professional development opportunities throughout the summer that includes diversity training presented by FIU Assistant Vice Provost of Student Access and Success, Dr. Sonja Montas-Hunter. Dr. Montas-Hunter’s presentation is titled Equity vs. Equality that focuses on proportional representation (by race, class, gender, etc.) within research/ STEM opportunities.

Once integrated within the PATHS UP ERC students, faculty, and staff participate in bi-annual implicit bias training facilitated by certified implicit bias trainer, Dr. Valencia Walker, and a quarterly diverse speaker series that introduces PATHS UP members to a variety of topics related to mentoring, inclusion, and diversity.

Dr. Sharan Ramaswamy, Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University

Sharan Ramaswamy, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Download Curriculum VitaeResearch Interests: Cell and tissue mechanics with application in cardiovascular regenerative medicine
Research Advancements: Biomechanically-derived diagnostics and regenerative therapies for cardiovascular medicine.
Research Area: Engineered Tissue Model Systems
Lab: CV-PEUTICS – Cardiovascular Therapeutics Laboratory


Dr. Jessica Ramella-Roman, Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University

Jessica Ramella-Roman Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Download Curriculum VitaeResearch Interests: Biophotonics
Research Advancements: Jessica Ramella’s biophotonic device is in clinical trial for pre-mature labor and cervical cancer.
Research Area: Diagnostic Bioimaging Sensor Systems
Lab: Medical Photonics Laboratory