Sonia Bansal Receives ASEE Biomedical Teaching Award

Sonia Bansal, an assistant professor of the practice in the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at Duke University, received the Biomedical Engineering Teaching Award from the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). Conferred by the Biomedical Engineering Division (BED), the award recognizes early-career faculty members who have made significant contributions to biomedical engineering education through innovative teaching materials, educational scholarship, and engagement with the broader engineering education community.

Bansal was recognized for her commitment to students and her efforts to transform the biomechanics and biomaterials curriculum through new courses and approaches designed to meet evolving student needs. She was also celebrated for the energy and creativity she has brought to her biomechanics courses, which have seen a substantial increase in student interest since Bansal joined the faculty in 2023.

Bansal teaching involves taking a whole-student approach to the classroom, where she emphasizes not only technical skills and engineering knowledge, but also the importance of professional skills such as writing and career preparation. Her courses prioritize peer learning and group work with the goal of creating an environment where students can learn from one another while developing the communication and problem-solving skills they will need beyond the classroom. The result, she hopes, is a group of students who are confident in their abilities as scientists and engineers and feel comfortable asking questions, taking risks and learning from failure.

“When something clicks for students, that’s when you realize that you’ve made a difference,” Bansal said. “One more person feels like they belong in STEM now because they understand this fundamental concept in the field.”

“When something clicks for students, that’s when you realize that you’ve made a difference. One more person feels like they belong in STEM now because they understand this fundamental concept in the field.”

Sonia Bansal

In addition to her biomaterials and biomechanics courses, Bansal also leads her senior design course, Sports and Rehabilitation Engineering and Design, where she continues to explore ways to give students authentic, practical engineering experiences.

Bansal’s work in education also extends to the broader BME community. She co-directs the Biomedical Engineering Education & Teaching Laboratory (BEETL) with BME faculty member Cameron Kim. The program brings together educators and students to explore innovative approaches to biomedical engineering education, including experiential learning, ethics and character education, and ways to integrate technical and sociotechnical skills into the curriculum.

The award reflects Bansal’s growing contributions to a community of educators focused on reimagining how biomedical engineers are prepared for their careers. Her goal is not simply to help students succeed in their next course or find their first job, but to help them become ethical, collaborative engineers who can communicate clearly and approach complex problems with confidence.

“I am honored and humbled to receive this award, and I am excited to continue to work in service to our students and Pratt community,” said Bansal.