Renata Ramos

Renata Ramos is Director of Undergraduate Studies in Bioengineering, an Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for the George R. Brown School of Engineering, an Associate Teaching Professor of Bioengineering, and a Faculty Chair for the Center for Teaching Excellence Faculty Fellows (2022-25). She currently teaches several project-based courses in biomedical instrumentation, mechanical testing, medical device instrumentation, systems physiology, and fundamentals of bioengineering.

She began her career in bioengineering instruction at Rice in 2008. While in this teaching-intensive position, she has undertaken several hands-on, project-based laboratory courses in biomedical instrumentation, mechanical testing, advanced instrumentation, medical device troubleshooting, systems physiology, engineering design and tissue culture. She has also taught engineering lecture courses such as engineering fundamentals, biomechanics, and biofluids; as well as professional development and internship courses in the department of Bioengineering and the School of Engineering.

Ramos’ exceptional efforts in instructional design and course management have been recognized through Experiential Inquiry and Research in the Curriculum, Enhancing Engineering Education and Brown Foundation Teaching Grants. Her teaching excellence and mentoring has also been recognized through the Department of Bioengineering’s Teaching Award (2013, 2018), the Excellence in Academic Advising Award from Rice’s Office of Academic Advising (2014), the Graduate Student Association Faculty Teaching and Mentoring Award (2020), and the George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching (2014, 2017, 2019). She has also received national recognition, including the Biomedical Engineering Division Teaching Award by the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).

Main Responsibilities

Teaching and Curricular Efforts:

- Training and evaluation of teaching assistants

- Oversight of future faculty fellows program

- Oversight of engineering teaching awards

- Support teaching and curricular initiatives

- Oversight of curricular modifications and new degree creations

- Oversight of approval of course modifications, approval of distribution courses, review of new courses and General Announcement process

Faculty:

- Contribute to the selection and training of faculty divisional advisors

- Professional development and evaluation of non-tenure track faculty

- Support promotion and reappointment process of non-tenure track faculty

Undergraduate and Graduate Students:

- Oversight of student awards and fellowships for current and prospective students in the School of Engineering

- Support and oversight engineering student clubs and professional organizations

- Liaison with the dean of graduate and undergraduate student offices: office of academic advising, center for career development, study abroad office, office of admissions, office undergraduate research and inquiry, etc.

- Oversight of engineering orientation week events and advising materials

- Collaboration with the Office of Academic Advising to train divisional and peer academic advisors in the school of engineering

- Instructor of record for ENGI 330 and 530: Engineering Practicum

- Instructor of record for ENGI 101: Introduction to Engineering

Engineering Prospective Students:

- Conduct School of Engineering information sessions

- Oversight of the Student Ambassadors Program

- Coordination of admissions events for prospective and newly admitted students

- Engineering liaison for Explore Rice, Discover Rice, VISION, Admit Days, Owl Days

Outside the classroom, Ramos contributes greatly to overall student life and academic efforts at Rice University. She has been a Faculty Fellow for Rice's Center for Teaching Excellence since 2017. She has served as an undergraduate academic advisor in the department of Bioengineering (2014-present), as an engineering divisional advisor for first year students (2011-present) , and as a member of several academic committees at Rice and for the Department of Bioengineering. She has also served as a resident associate (2011-2018) to Rice’s college system and as a faculty advisor in the First Year Mentoring Program (2011-2016), for the Empowering Leadership Alliance (2010-2015), the Health Professions Advising Committee (2013-present), and the Biomedical Engineering Society Student Chapter (2017-present). Since 2008, she has been both a technical and primary mentor for several freshmen and senior-level engineering design projects at Rice’s Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen. Ramos is also an active member of the Biomedical Engineering Society, the chair for the Biomedical Engineering Division of the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) and an associate editor for the Biomedical Engineering Educational Journal.

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering / Mechanical Design, Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey Chihuahua, México, 2002

Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, 2008

Postdoctoral Fellow in Bioengineering, Rice University, 2008-2010

Advisory Role

2011-Present: First-Year Undergraduate Divisional Advisor, Rice University

2013-Present: Faculty Advisor, Health Professions Advising Committee, Rice University

2014-Present: Undergraduate Academic Advisor, Department of Bioengineering, Rice University

2017-Present: Faculty Advisor, Biomedical Engineering Society, Rice University Chapter

2011-2018: Resident Associate, Weiss College, Rice University

2011-2016: Faculty Advisor, First Year Mentoring Program, Rice University

2010-2015: Faculty Advisor, Empowering Leadership Alliance, Rice University

Teaching Areas

Biomedical & Advanced Instrumentation

Mechanical Testing

Medical Device Troubleshooting

Systems Physiology

Engineering Design

Tissue Culture

Societies & Organizations

American Society of Engineering Education, Division Chair

Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)

Rice University Center for Teaching Excellence, Fellow

Honors & Awards

CTE Faculty Fellow Chair, 2020-25

Graduate Student Association Faculty Teaching and Mentoring Award, Rice University, 2020

George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching, Rice University, 2014, 2017, 2019

Teaching Award, Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 2013, 2018

Excellence in Academic Advising Award, Office of Academic Advising, Rice University, 2014

Biomedical Engineering Division Teaching Award, American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), 2014

Body

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