Raj Rao

Raj Rao, professor, biomedical engineering, College of Engineering. Rao served as head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering from 2016-2022 and coordinated significant departmental efforts to increase Honors College student engagement in biomedical engineering research, study abroad, community engagement, service learning and inclusive leadership opportunities.

Rao’s leadership efforts contributed to increased honors student enrollment at the department level (98 students over the past two years); the highest yet percentage (25%) of biomedical engineering students graduating with honors in the College of Engineering; exceptional faculty mentoring in support of research and experiences that resulted in the 2019 departmental gold medal from the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards; 63 research grants for biomedical engineering honors students; and increased study abroad opportunities and international partnerships, with more than 50 students participating in programs since 2016. Under Rao’s leadership, 34 biomedical engineering students have won or received honorable mentions for nationally competitive awards. Rao has also mentored many honors college students in their efforts to develop innovative biomedical solutions with empathy and inclusion.

As a member of Arkansas Global Changemakers, Rao is also leading collaborative efforts to develop courses and programs where students engage with local and global partners to develop biomedical innovations with potential for broad impact. Rao has been elected as a 2021 Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological engineering (AIMBE) and 2022 Fellow of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES).