Manuel Figueroa

Manuel Figueroa, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Integrative STEM Education at The College of New Jersey, where responsibilities include preparing pre-service teachers for K-12 engineering and technology education and researching human-centered design to foster empathy and engagement in engineering design. Previous experience includes serving as a PhD candidate at Drexel University, where important contributions included the development of a SERS biosensor and a non-contact microwave absorption technique for monitoring nanoparticle thin films. Manuel Figueroa also held the position of NSF GK-12 Teaching Fellow, focusing on curriculum development for high school students in renewable energy, robotics, and nanotechnology. Earlier roles include Associate Research Biomedical Engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory and research assistant positions at Tulane University and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Manuel Figueroa holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Tulane University.