Helped envision our anti-bias efforts in faculty recruitment and in graduate student admissions

Karen Christman, a Professor of Bioengineering, and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Welfare at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering, received an award from AIMBE for her achievements in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Christman is also a cofounder of Ventrix Bio, as well as Kairos Technologies. Her work focuses on developing novel biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine for applications in cardiovascular disease and women’s health  She mentors a group of diverse trainees, and during her time at UC San Diego, Christman has helped improve graduate student interviewing and recruiting, as well as faculty candidate evaluations, to improve diversity. As Associate Dean in the Jacobs School of Engineering, she implemented annual diversity reports to help departments gain insight and take action. She also created funding opportunities for URM students to attend conferences, co-created the first DEI training for department chairs, and worked to reduce bias in the faculty search process.

“Dr. Christman's efforts both in the department and across the Jacobs School of Engineering as Associate Dean are emblematic of our school’s commitment to building an inclusive environment,” said Engler. “She helped envision our anti-bias efforts in faculty recruitment and in graduate student admissions, and the changes we have implemented from her ideas have helped double the representation of women in our department.”

AIMBE’s mission is to recognize excellence in, and advocate for, the fields of medical and biological engineering to advance society. Since 1991, AIMBE’s College of Fellows has led the way for technological growth and advancement in the fields of medical and biological engineering. Fellows have helped revolutionize medicine and related fields to enhance and extend the lives of people all over the world. They have successfully advocated for public policies that have enabled researchers and business-makers to further the interests of engineers, teachers, scientists, clinical practitioners and patients.