BME Seminar Series: Dr. Rachel Childers, University of Oklahoma

Rachel Childers, PhD, Assistant Professor, Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oklahoma

Abstract: 

"Modeling Cell Motility and Random Walks of Cells to Teach Laboratory Skills and Experimental Analysis"

In this seminar, an example undergraduate course topic that integrates fundamental biomedical engineering concepts and laboratory skills will be presented. A mathematical model to quantify cell migration will be highlighted. This serves as an example of how laboratory skills such as aseptic technique and microscopy can be practiced while also providing a hands-on learning opportunity to apply background knowledge from biotransport, systems modeling, numerical methods, and statistics.   Finally, Prof. Childers will present her scholarly interests as an engineering education researcher.

Bio: 

Rachel Childers, Ph.D. completed her bachelor’s degree in Biological Engineering at the University of Georgia, in 2010. She worked as a researcher and programmer at Nationwide Children’s Hospital studying the genetics of mental health disorders for about a year before beginning graduate work. Dr. Childers completed her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at The Ohio State University, in the field of cardiovascular biomechanics and mechanobiology in 2016. Currently she is an Assistant Professor at the Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Oklahoma. In this role she developed 6 different Junior-level Biomedical Engineering lab courses, with ~50 related experiments.  In her current position, she has lead curriculum development as the Chair of Undergraduate Studies, for a new undergraduate program, which had its first graduating class in 2019.