Lauren Heckelman

As a Lecturer in the Discipline of Biomedical Engineering, Dr. Lauren Heckelman’s primary responsibility is to teach and mentor undergraduate BME students. She aims to guide her students toward the next phase of their educational or professional journey by developing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills via hands-on learning activities and through individualized mentorship.

Dr. Heckelman teaches a two-semester BME laboratory course sequence and a two-semester Senior Design course sequence. The BME laboratory courses are divided into smaller modules covering a wide range of biomedical engineering sub-disciplines including biomechanics, medical imaging, instrumentation, and bioelectricity, among others. Senior Design enables interdisciplinary groups of students to identify a need within the realm of biomedical engineering, brainstorm and assess potential solutions, develop multiple prototypes, and curate a business plan based on their product. The students are in the driver’s seat throughout the engineering design process, while also working collaboratively alongside Columbia faculty and staff with expertise related to their projects.

Heckelman is a three-time Duke biomedical engineering graduate. She earned her B.S.E. in 2016, her M.S. in 2017, and her Ph.D. in 2022. She was recently awarded the 2022 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching by the Duke Graduate School for her exemplary commitment to educating undergraduate and graduate students.