Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are interconnected with bioengineering, yet have historically been absent from accreditation standards and curricula. Toward educating DEI-competent bioengineers and meeting evolving accreditation requirements, we took a program-level approach to incorporate, catalog, and assess DEI content through the bioengineering undergraduate program. To support instructors in adding DEI content and inclusive pedagogy, our team developed a DEI planning worksheet and surveyed instructors pre- and post-course. Over the academic year, 74% of instructors provided a pre-term and/or post-term response. Of responding instructors, 91% described at least one DEI curricular content improvement, and 88% incorporated at least one new inclusive pedagogical approach. Based on the curricular adjustments reported by instructors, we grouped the bioengineering-related DEI content into five DEI competency categories: bioethics, inclusive design, inclusive scholarship, inclusive professionalism, and systemic inequality. To assess the DEI content incorporation, we employed direct assessment via course assignments, end-of-module student surveys, end-of-term course evaluations, and an end-of-year program review. When asked how much their experience in the program helped them develop specific DEI competencies, students reported a relatively high average of 3.79 (scale of 1 = "not at all" to 5 = "very much"). Additionally, based on student performance in course assignments and other student feedback, we found that instructors were able to effectively incorporate DEI content into a wide variety of courses. We offer this framework and lessons learned to be adopted by programs similarly motivated to train DEI-competent engineering professionals and provide an equitable, inclusive engineering education for all students.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/1.4063819 | DOI Listing |
Antioxidants (Basel)
December 2024
Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
This study focuses on developing an active and biodegradable packaging using electrospinning, with polylactic acid (PLA) as the matrix and bamboo leaf extract (BLE) as the antioxidant compound. The research systematically evaluates the relationship among process parameters, material properties, and structure. The electrospun membranes were produced using different BLE contents (10 wt%, 20 wt%, 30 wt%, and 40 wt%) and characterized by their morphology, mechanical properties, wettability, and antioxidant activity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiomed Pharmacother
January 2025
IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, Pisa 56128, Italy.
Lafora disease (LD) is an ultra-rare and still incurable neurodegenerative condition. Although several therapeutic strategies are being explored, including gene therapy, there are currently no treatments that can alleviate the course of the disease and slow its progression. Recently, gliflozins, a series of SGLT2 transporter inhibitors approved for use in type 2 diabetes mellitus, heart failure and chronic kidney disease, have been proposed as possible repositioning drugs for the treatment of LD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Epidemiol
February 2025
Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Barcelona, Spain.
Background: Dengue has an increased worldwide epidemic potential with the global rising temperature due to climate change. Heat and rainfall are known to influence seasonal patterns of dengue transmission over the course of weeks to months. However, there is a gap in knowledge about the short-term effect of heat on dengue severity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Sci Pollut Res Int
December 2024
Stazione Sperimentale Per L'industria Delle Pelli E Delle Materie Concianti S.R.L., 80143, Napoli, Italy.
Leather manufacturing is the process of converting raw animal hides or skins into finished leather. The complex industrial procedures result in a tanning effluent composed of chemical compounds with potentially hazardous impacts on humans and ecosystems. Among the traditional and efficient wastewater treatments, adsorption is an effective and well-known approach, able to manage a wide range of contaminants from wastewater.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Despite progress in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in medical education, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and more (LGBTQIA+) individuals remain underrepresented and often face barriers to equitable advancement. Emergency medicine (EM) residency programs are instrumental in creating inclusive environments that attract diverse applicants and support LGBTQIA+ trainees. Since the COVID-19 pandemic's shift to virtual recruitment, residency websites have become vital tools for communicating DEI initiatives.
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