Steven Santana

Joseph B. Platt Chair in Effective Teaching and Associate Professor of Engineering

Santana centers his work on mentoring students as technical experts and future leaders who critically examine the impacts and outcomes of their work. He earned his PhD in mechanical engineering from Cornell University, where he developed microfluidic systems to isolate cancer biomarkers. He continued his work as a postdoctoral fellow at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the University of Colorado, Boulder designing biomaterials for engineered cell culture.

This interdisciplinary work continues in the C∪TE lab with a dynamic team of students. Together, the transdisciplinary group tackles challenges in bioengineering and biomedical engineering, with projects spanning cell biology, microfluidics, and tissue engineering. Current efforts include extracellular vesicle biogenesis, bioprinting of spatially complex hydrogels, and passive microfluidic mixing. Students from across majors contribute diverse skills and creativity to a vibrant, collaborative research community.

Santana is committed to excellence in education. He has served as a secondary mathematics educator and coach and has designed and implemented educational programs supporting college access and career development. His dedication to educational access and mentoring shapes his approach to teaching and research, emphasizing technical excellence paired with positive social impact. At Harvey Mudd, Santana teaches across the engineering curriculum, including design, systems, sciences, and technical electives.

His research portfolio includes projects that reflect his commitment to advancing human health through innovative engineering solutions and knowledge generation. Through the C∪TE lab and his broader academic work, Santana is cultivating the next generation of technically excellent leaders who thoughtfully interrogate the implications of their work and strive to create a better world.