Biography
Sarah Rowlinson Furtney joined the BME department Summer 2017, focusing her expertise on cell and tissue engineering, engineering education research, entrepreneurship and online engineering education.
Before coming to UF, Rowlinson Furtney earned her B.S. in biomedical engineering from the University of Miami in 2012. She then completed her Ph.D. in bioengineering at Clemson University in 2017 under the mentorship of the Hunter Endowed Chair and Professor Emerita in bioengineering, Dr. Karen Burg. Rowlinson developed new cell culturing technologies for breast cancer research while concurrently conducting peer-reviewed research on engineering education and science policy.
While completing her Ph.D. in bioengineering, Rowlinson Furtney was an instructor for Clemson University’s General Engineering program. She was a lead instructor for two sections of Engineering Graphics and Machine Design, introducing students to the modeling software, SolidWorks. She delivered in-class demonstrations, assignments, and cooperative projects for the 112 students enrolled. Prior to being a lead instructor, she was a graduate teaching assistant, responsible for developing ABET accreditation artifacts and improving online curriculum content and delivery. She also led the assessment of the General Engineering Accelerate program, which allows high school students to enroll in engineering courses for college credit.
Rowlinson Furtney participated in the National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program, serving as entrepreneurial team leader for her team. This program prepares scientists, engineers and educators to extend their focus beyond the laboratory and broaden the impact of select, NSF-funded, research projects. She developed a business model canvas for her proposed innovation using the Lean Startup method and employed customer development to unite customer needs and innovation.
Rowlinson Furtney received the Outstanding Women Award from Clemson University (2016) and was an active member of the Clemson Bioengineering Society, having served multiple leadership positions including vice president, service chair and graduate student government representative. Rowlinson is an active participant in policy and advocacy groups in science and women’s leadership.
Rowlinson Furtney moved to Gainesville with her fiancé, Matthew Furtney, in May 2017.
Education
- B.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami
- Ph.D., Bioengineering, Clemson University
CV
Contact
- Biomedical Sciences Building, room 299
- 352-273-9333
- to be changed @bme.ufl.edu