Alan W. Eberhardt, Ph.D.Alan W. Eberhardt, Ph.D., Associate Dean for the UAB School of Engineering and a professor within the Department of Biomedical Engineering, received the 2025 Robert M. Nerem Education and Mentorship Medal.
The Robert M. Nerem Education and Mentorship Medal is awarded by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) to individuals who have shown exceptional achievement in education and mentoring. This includes leadership within their institution, extraordinary mentoring efforts, tailored mentoring to meet trainees' needs, and innovative mentoring activities.
Eberhardt joined the Department of Biomedical Engineering at UAB in 1999, after working in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UAB since 1991. His current research focuses on orthopedic and injury biomechanics, as well as medical and rehabilitation device design and commercialization. He is the director of the Master of Engineering with a Concentration in Design and Commercialization.
We asked Eberhardt more about his extensive teaching and mentorship experience and discussed the impact of receiving this distinguished award.
Q: Can you tell us about your journey in the field of engineering and how you came to be involved with ASME?
I joined ASME as a grad student to be a part of the Bioengineering Division (BED), which was my area of research interest - orthopedics, injury, and rehab. I continued to be a member throughout my over 30-year career, participating in annual conferences and playing in BEDrock, a band of faculty and students who have played at the annual bioengineering conferences since 2003.
Q: What inspired you to pursue education and mentoring?
I took two courses in Engineering Mathematics at the University of Delaware from Dr. Michael Greenberg. He inspired me with his casual approach to teaching complicated material.
Q: How do you approach mentorship, and what strategies do you find most effective in supporting your mentees?
I like to recognize that students have lives outside of engineering and encourage them to be successful in everything they do. I meet with them regularly, as needed, to help guide them, but I always let them figure out their problems.
Q: What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally?
It’s pretty humbling, actually, as I feel I have really just been “doing my job.” But as I coast towards retirement, it’s really nice to receive this recognition.