UDC SEAS Mechanical Engineering Faculty Honored: Dr. Lara Thompson attends Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology Ph.D. Graduation Exercises

Dr. Lara Thompson, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at UDC, is a Ph.D. graduate of the Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology (HST).  This unique program exposes its students to teachings from MIT, Harvard Medical School (HMS), Harvard University, as well as several Boston area teaching hospitals.  This one of a kind collaboration nurtures the integration of science, medicine and engineering to solve problems in human health.  HST’s diverse culture drives its students to progress towards vibrant careers as medical pioneers.

Dr. Thompson’s Ph.D. from Harvard-MIT HST in the field of Biomedical Engineering was conferred September 2013.  Her thesis, entitled “A Study of the Effects of Sensory State on Rhesus Monkey Postural Control”, helped to characterize the effects of an invasive vestibular implant on posture.  Dr. Thompson also holds a M.S. in Aero/Astro Engineering from Stanford University and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

In September 2013, Dr. Thompson joined the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) Mechanical Engineering faculty at UDC. She enjoys working with, teaching and mentoring students. She is currently active in starting up a Biomedical Engineering (BME) Program within the UDC SEAS, constructing a BME lab, teaching courses, as well as many other synergistic activities.