Ann Saterbak

Research Interests

Innovations in undergraduate engineering education, particularly new pedagogical methods that broaden students’ problem solving skills and design thinking.

Bio

ASaterbak is director of the Duke Engineering First-Year Experience and a professor of the practice in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. She is a nationally recognized engineering educator with a focus on creating undergraduate programs that broaden students problem solving skills through real-world problems, inquiry-based learning, and hands-on experiences. In fall 2017, she launched a new hands-on design course for first-year Pratt students.

Before coming to Duke, she was the associate dean for engineering education and full teaching professor in bioengineering in the George R. Brown School of Engineering at Rice University. At Rice, she launched a successful first-year engineering design course in which students solved community-based, client-driven problems and built physical prototypes. Her outstanding teaching at Rice was recognized by four university-wide teaching awards. She is the lead author of the textbook Bioengineering Fundamentals.

For her contribution to education within biomedical engineering, she was elected a fellow in the Biomedical Engineering Society and the American Society of Engineering Education. Saterbak has been a frequent presenter of educational materials at annual ASEE and BMES conferences. In building the undergraduate bioengineering laboratory at Rice, she applied four years of industry experience working at the Shell Development Company.

Education

• Ph.D. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 1995

Positions

• Professor of the Practice in the Department of Biomedical Engineering
• Director of the Duke Engineering First Year Experience
• Affiliate, Duke Global Health Institute

Awards, Honors, and Distinctions

• AIMBE Professional Impact Award. American Institute for Medical & Biological Engineering. 2022
• Lois and John L. Imhoff Distinguished Teaching Award. Pratt School of Engineering. 2019
• Fellow. American Institute of Medicine and Biology. 2015
• Nicolas Salgo Distinguished Teacher Award. Rice University. 2015
• Fellow. American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE). 2014
• George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching. Rice University. 2013
• Theo C. Pilkington Outstanding Educator Award. ASEE BED National Award. 2013
• Fellow. Biomedical Engineering Society. 2012
• George R. Brown Prize for Excellence in Teaching. Rice University. 2011
• Robert G. Quinn Award for Excellence in Laboratory Instruction. ASEE National Award. 2007

Courses Taught

• HOUSECS 59: House Course
• EGR 95FS: First Year seminar in Focus
• EGR 102L: Design to Deliver
• EGR 101L: Engineering Design and Communication
• BME 494: Projects in Biomedical Engineering (GE)
• BME 493: Projects in Biomedical Engineering (GE)
• BME 260L: Modeling Cellular and Molecular Systems

Publications

• Beier ME, Kim MH, Saterbak A, Leautaud V, Bishnoi S, Gilberto JM. The effect of authentic project-based learning on attitudes and career aspirations in STEM. Journal of Research in Science Teaching. 2019 Jan 1;56(1):3–23.
• Daniels J, Sanlillan ST, Saterbak A. Tracking skills development and self-efficacy in a new first-year engineering design course. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2018.
• Bradford B, Beier ME, Saterbak A, McSpedon M, Wolf M, Kincaid K. Examining first-year chemistry outcomes of underprepared STEM students who completed a STEM summer academic bridge program. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2018.
• Pearson YE, Phillips CML, Beier ME, Gilberto J, Mattingly SP, Saterbak A, et al. Evaluating the quality of project summaries for S-STEM proposals. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2018.
• Petney M, Ng’anjo SG, Phiri JC, Wettergreen M, Saterbak A. Transformation of design instruction in a low-resource setting. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2018.
• Corneal L, Morrow D, Volz T, Saterbak A, Conrad S, Pfeiffer TJ, et al. Panel: Embedding technical writing with experiential learning components into engineering curricula. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2018.
• Saterbak A, Moturu A, Volz T. Using a Teaching Intervention and Calibrated Peer Review™ Diagnostics to Improve Visual Communication Skills. Annals of biomedical engineering. 2018 Mar;46(3):513–24.
• Beier ME, Saterbak A, McSpedon MR, Wolf M. Selection process of students for a novel STEM summer bridge program. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2017.
• Saterbak A, San K-Y, McIntire LV. Bioengineering Fundamentals. Pearson; 2017.
• Torres WJ, Saterbak A, Beier ME. Long-term impact of an elective, first-year engineering design course. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2016.
• McSpedon M, Saterbak A, Wolf M. Summer bridge program structured to cover most demanding STEM topics. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2016.
• Saterbak A, Wettergreen M, Roberts Z. Teaching first-year engineering design using a flipped classroom model. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2016.
• Saterbak A, Volz T, Wettergreen M. Implementing and assessing a flipped classroom model for first-year engineering design. Advances in Engineering Education. 2016 Jan 1;5(3).
• Shah K, Skerrett E, Nojoomi M, Walker T, Maynard K, Pan M, et al. Maji: a new tool to prevent overhydration of children receiving intravenous fluid therapy in low-resource settings. The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene. 2015 May;92(5):1053–8.
• Bodnar CA, Felse A, High KA, Keith JM, Minerick A, Saterbak A, et al. Diversity in Chemical engineering education: Status and perspectives. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2015.
• Saterbak A, Volz T. Assessing knowledge and application of the design process. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2014.
• Saterbak A, Oden M, Lee Muscarello A, Wettergreen M. Teaching freshman design using a flipped classroom model. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2014.
• Saterbak A, Embree M, Oden M. Client-based projects in freshman design. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2012.
• Bullard LG, Knoll PM, Saterbak A. Choosing the road less traveled: Ten years later. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2012.
• Garza AN, Song JL, Gogola GR, Saterbak A, Wettergreen MA, Houchens BC. Mechanical wheelchair propulsion system for patients with arthrogryposis. In: ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (IMECE). 2012. p. 397–402.
• Saterbak A, Embree M, Oden M. Client-based projects in freshman design. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2012.
• Bullard LG, Knoll PM, Saterbak A. Choosing the road less traveled: Ten years later. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2012.
• Law C, Younger D, Saterbak A. Investigation of the underrepresentation of women in the G. R. Brown Teaching Awards at Rice University. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2009.
• Law C, Younger D, Saterbak A. Investigation of the underrepresentation of women in the G. R. Brown Teaching Awards at Rice University. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2009.
• Saterbak A, Volz T. Implementing calibrated peer review to enhance technical critiquing skills in a bioengineering laboratory. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2008.
• Saterbak A, Volz T. Implementing calibrated peer review to enhance technical critiquing skills in a bioengineering laboratory. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2008.
• Saterbak A, Follen M, Richards-Kortum R. New pathways to educate future translational researchers in medicine. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2006.
• Saterbak A, San KY, McIntire L. Development of educational materials for a bioengineering fundamentals course. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2006.
• Perreault EJ, Litt M, Saterbak A. Educational methods and best practices in BME laboratories. Annals of biomedical engineering. 2006 Feb;34(2):209–16.
• Saterbak A, San KY, McIntire L. Development of educational materials for a bioengineering fundamentals course. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2006.
• Saterbak A, Follen M, Richards-Kortum R. New pathways to educate future translational researchers in medicine. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2006.
• West JL, Saterbak A, San KY. Development of new bioengineering curricula at Rice university. Transactions - 7th World Biomaterials Congress. 2004 Dec 1;581.
• Saterbak A, Beason B, Cox K, Bordeaux J, Caprette D. Coordinating laboratory courses across engineering and science curricula. In: ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings. 2004. p. 2389–97.
• Saterbak A, San KY, McIntire LV. Development of the textbook, conservation principles in bioengineering. In: ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings. 2004. p. 3823–32.
• Cano ML, Saterbak A, Van Compernolle R, Williams MP, Huot ME, Rhodes IA, et al. Erratum: A laboratory batch reactor test for assessing nonspeciated volatile organic compound biodegradation in activated sludge (Water Environment Research (2003) 75 (342-353)). Water Environment Research. 2004 Jan 1;76(1):89.
• Cano ML, Saterbak A, van Compernolle R, Williams MP, Huot ME, Rhodes IA, et al. A laboratory batch reactor test for assessing nonspeciated volatile organic compound biodegradation in activated sludge. Water environment research : a research publication of the Water Environment Federation. 2003 Jul;75(4):342–54.
• Bullard L, Knoll P, Saterbak A. Choosing the road less traveled: Alternatives to the tenure track. In: ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings. 2002. p. 11229–36.
• San KY, McIntire LV, Saterbak A. A new cellular and molecular engineering curriculum at Rice university. In: ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings. 2002. p. 7581–5.
• San KY, McIntire LV, Saterbak A. Cellular and molecular engineering curriculum at Rice University. In: Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology - Proceedings. 2002. p. 2652–3.
• Saterbak A, Volz TM. Integrating communication into the bioengineering curriculum. In: Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology - Proceedings. 2002. p. 2660–1.
• Saterbak A. Laboratory courses focused on tissue engineering applications. In: ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings. 2002. p. 8463–75.
• Saterbak A. Laboratory courses focused on tissue engineering applications. In: Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology - Proceedings. 2002. p. 2611–2.
• Saterbak A, San KY, McIntire LV. Development of a novel foundation course for biomedical engineering curriculum. In: ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings. 2001. p. 3733–8.
• Saterbak A, Toy RJ, Mcmain BJ, Williams MP, Dorn PB. Ecotoxicological and analytical assessment of effects of bioremediation on hydrocarbon-containing soils. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 2000 Jan 1;19(11):2643–52.
• Saterbak A, Toy RJ, Wong DCL, Mcmain BJ, Williams MP, Dorn PB, et al. Ecotoxicological and analytical assessment of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils and application to ecological risk assessment. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 1999 Jul 1;18(7):1591–607.
• Saterbak A, Lauffenburger DA. Adhesion mediated by bonds in series. Biotechnology progress. 1996 Sep;12(5):682–99.
• Saterbak A, Kuo SC, Lauffenburger DA. Heterogeneity and probabilistic binding contributions to receptor-mediated cell detachment kinetics. Biophysical journal. 1993 Jul;65(1):243–52.

In The News

• ‘Character Forward’ Aims to Build Better Engineers (Oct 29, 2024 | Kenan Institute for Ethics)
• Engineering Solutions in Durham & the World (Jan 22, 2024 | Pratt School of Engineering)
• In This Class, a Hands-on Approach to the Engineering Design Process (Jun 1, 2018 | Pratt School of Engineering)
• New First-Year Design Course, Space Debut (Aug 24, 2017 | )
• Saterbak to Lead Redesign of Pratt First-Year Experience (Apr 10, 2017 | )