Lisa A Pruitt

Ph.D. Engineering Brown University, Providence, RI, May 1993

Doctoral Thesis: Cyclic Damage Ahead of Fatigue Cracks in Amorphous Solids: Theory, Experiments and Implications
M.S. Engineering Brown University, Providence, RI, May 1990
Masters Thesis: Fatigue Behavior of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites Under Far-Field Cyclic Compression
B.S. Materials Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, May 1988
B.S. Chemical and Ocean Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, May 1988

 

Research

Research is focused on structure–property relationships in orthopedic biomaterials and medical polymers. Projects include the assessment of fatigue fracture mechanisms of orthopedic biomaterials and associated devices. Retrievals of orthopedic implants are characterized to model in vivo degradation and to optimize device design. Techniques for structural characterization include SEM, FEA, wear testing, fatigue-fracture analysis, and nanoindentation.

Education

Pedagogical experience includes curriculum development in mechanical engineering and bioengineering. Undergraduate teaching includes Introduction to Engineering Design and Analysis, Mechanical Behavior of
Engineering Materials, Structural Aspects of Biomaterials (Medical Device Design) and Principles of Bioengineering. Graduate courses include Advanced Structural Aspects of Biomaterials, Fracture Mechanics,
Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Polymer Engineering, and Teaching Methodologies for Graduate Students.

Brown University, Division of Engineering, Providence, RI, 1988 – 1993
Graduate Researcher and Research Associate. Investigated fatigue and fracture resistance of polymeric composites, polymers and biomaterials. Characterized and quantified the evolution of cyclic stress fields ahead of fatigue cracks by recourse to photoelasticity and laser interferometry. Confirmed that residual tension is responsible for crack nucleation under cyclic compression in polymeric solids. Studied micromechanisms of deformation using electron and optical microscopy techniques. Developed models for cyclic damage in structural polymers.

Army Research Labs, Corrosion Science Division, Watertown, MA, 1987- 1988
Research Engineer. Characterized the effect of surface treatments on the hydrogen embrittlement resistance in 4340 steels. Analytic techniques included barnacle electrode methods and fracture toughness testing. Fractography and microstructural characterization were performed with scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

Awards

UC Berkeley Distinguished Teaching Award. Awarded for sustained teaching excellence, 2016.
American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering Fellow. Awarded for outstanding research, teaching, and
mentoring contributions in the field of medical polymers, with particular application to orthopaedic joint replacements, 2013
Minners Faculty Fellow. Awarded for implementation of ethics in the engineering curriculum, University of California,
Berkeley, 2012
Denise Denton Best Education Paper Award. For paper entitled “Leadership and Service Learning Improves Engineering
Skills in Women,” American Society for Engineering Education, 2012
A. Richard Newton Educator Award. Given by the Anita Borg Institute for broadening engineering participation of women
through the use of undergraduate engineering education and K-12 engineering outreach, 2011
Presidential Chairs Teaching Fellow. Given for teaching excellence, University of California, Berkeley 2010-2011
American Society of Engineering Education Best Paper Award (Multidisciplinary Teams). For paper entitled, “Use of
Learning Styles for Teamwork and Professional Development in a Multidisciplinary Course”, 2010
Biomaterials Best Image Award published in the Year in Images, from paper entitled, “Clinical Rim Fracture of Cross-linked
Acatebular Liners,” 2010
Faculty Award for Outstanding Mentorship of Graduate Student Instructors. Awarded by UC Berkeley, 2009
National Effective Teaching Institute. Elected participant, 2009
Lawrence Talbot Chaired Professorship in Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 2007-present
Faculty of the National Student Leadership Conference. 2006-2011
University of California Chancellor’s Professorship, 2004
U.S. Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, 2004
Faculty Mentor to the Society for Biomaterials Undergraduate Research Award for research entitled, “Biochemical
Characterization of Atherosclerotic Plaques Using FTIR Spectroscopy and Histology,” 2002
Elected Fellow to American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2002
American Association for the Advancement of Science Mentor Award, 2001
Miller Research Professorship, 2000
Congressional Citation for Engineering Excellence, 1999
Engineering Excellence and Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award, University of Rhode Island, 1999
Chancellor’s Research Initiative Award, 1999-2000
ONR Young Investigator Award, 1998-2001
The Alonzo J Neufeld Award, Western Orthopedic Association, 1998
Prytanean Alumnae Award, 1997-1998 Given annually to a Professor who serves as an exceptional role model to women.
Hellman Family Faculty Fund Award, 1997-1998
National Science Foundation CAREER Award, 1996-2001
Cal Berkeley Career Development Award, 1996-1997
Faculty Sponsor for the DuPont Plunkett Student Award for Innovation with Teflon and Tefzel, 1996
Chancellor’s Award for Academic Excellence of Research, 1995
U. C. Regents’ Junior Faculty Fellowship, 1995
Brown University Materials Engineering Teaching Award, 1993
Elected to Sigma Xi, 1990
Brown University Presidential Fellowship and Research Assistantship, 1988-1993
Elected to Tau Beta Pi, 1988
University of Rhode Island Undergraduate Research Award, 1988