Professional Summary
Aaron Burdette is an Associate Professor of Practice in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati whose work sits at the intersection of medical device design, innovation, engineering education, and workforce development. His research examines how clinicians and other lead users identify unmet needs, communicate design ideas, develop prototypes, and advance innovation within regulated and resource-constrained environments. His doctoral research focused on clinician-led medical device development and the role of design communication in moving ideas from recognized problems toward viable solutions.
As a higher education and workforce development leader with nearly a decade of experience building academic programs, employer partnerships, degree apprenticeships, and regional talent-development strategies, Prof. Burdette has led initiatives encompassing 37 apprenticeship pathways, more than $14 million in external investments, and workforce programs serving over 11,000 learners.
His applied scholarship also explores inclusive engineering education, particularly how neurodiverse learners and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities engage with computer-aided design, electronics, artificial intelligence, and technical problem-solving. This work has informed new instructional models, industry collaborations, and accessible pathways into advanced manufacturing and engineering education.
Prof. Burdette also contributes to interdisciplinary medical device research involving rehabilitation engineering, human factors, risk management, and regulatory design controls. His work includes the development of adaptive and assistive technologies, medical device education for engineering and medical students, and collaborative research involving clinicians, students, industry partners, and individuals with disabilities.
Across these areas, his scholarship is grounded in connecting research, education, and real-world application. He has secured and supported externally funded projects from federal, state, industry, and nonprofit organizations and has presented his work at national and international conferences in biomedical engineering, human factors, innovation, and engineering education.
Research and Practice Interests
Entrepreneurship and KEEN Education; medical device design; work-integrated learning; undergraduate and graduate engineering education researchÂ
Research Support
Grant: #HG-33044 Investigators:Burdette, Aaron; Chen, Hang; Escoe, Gisela; Foley, Todd; Mahoney, Susan 07-15-2019 -07-14-2023 Department of Labor NEXT Apprenticeship Program Role:Co-PI $11,893,184.00 Completed
Grant: #TBD / HRD-2119902 Investigators:Burdette, Aaron; Carnahan, Christina 09-01-2022 -08-31-2023 National Science Foundation NSF INCLUDES Alliance TAPDINTO-STEM subaward Role:Co-PI 0.00 Completed
Grant: #H-1B Job Training Grants Investigators:Burdette, Aaron; Gordon, Paul; Privitera, Mary Beth 05-01-2023 -07-14-2024 Department of Labor AIM- UC Role:PI 154575.00 Completed
Grant: #Purdue grant 19200257 Investigators:Burdette, Aaron 10-01-2023 -06-30-2024 Purdue University Scaling Apprenticeship Through Sector-Based Strategies Role:PI 1688438.00 Completed Type:Grant
Grant: #No. 3207 Investigators:Burdette, Aaron; Heasley, Victoria; Wolf, Derek 01-01-2025 -12-31-2026 Paralyzed Veterans of America COOPERATIVE DESIGN OF A USER-FRIENDLY FES-INTEGRATED PASSIVE EXO TO RESTORE GRASPING ABILITY IN INDIVIDUALS WITH SCI/D Role:Collaborator 199797.00 Active
Grant: #RAPIDS 7 Investigators:Burdette, Aaron; Goodman, Christopher; Jog, Milind; Payton, Eric; Paz y Puente, Ashley 03-24-2025 -06-30-2026 Ohio Department of Higher Education Strategic Training Equipment in Advanced Manufacturing for Southwest Ohio Regional Development (STEAM SWORD) Role:Collaborator 325000.00 Active
Publications
Peer Reviewed Publications
Masterson J.; Kluge B.; Burdette A.; Lewis G. (06-01-2020. ) Sustained acoustic medicine; Sonophoresis for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug delivery in arthri.Therapeutic Delivery, , 11 (6 ) ,363-372 More Information
Alanson E.R.; Alanson E.M.; Arthur B.; Burdette A.; Cooper C.; Sharp M. (01-01-2020. ) Re-envisioning work-integrated learning during a pandemic: Cincinnati's experiential explorations pr .International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning, , 21 (5 ) ,505-519
Courses Taught
Medical Device Design I Level:Undergraduate
Medical Device Design II Level:Undergraduate
Medical Device Design Capstone Level:Undergraduate
Design and Research Methods Level:Undergraduate
Solid Mechanics Level:Undergraduate
Global Health Innovation Level:Undergraduate