Mahender Mandala is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering. His academic background encompasses a PhD in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Pittsburgh (2011-2016), an MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kansas (2009-2011), and a BE in Mechanical Engineering from Osmania University (2004-2008). His PhD dissertation, "PEER REVIEW IN DESIGN: UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF COLLABORATION ON THE REVIEW PROCESS AND STUDENT PERCEPTION," was defended on July 22, 2016 in the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology. As a PhD candidate, he explored student critiquing skills in engineering design. Post-PhD, he served as Visiting Assistant Professor and then Assistant Professor in Bioengineering.

Mandala's academic interests and research specializations are in assistive technology, rehabilitation engineering, design research, medical product design, engineering education, mechanical engineering with emphasis on assistive technology, and product design. He has several years of experience in new product development. A key contribution is the development of the Peerval 3D Digital Design Critique app with his team, which allows large groups of students and teachers to access, map, and annotate 3D digital designs from an internet browser. The app won Pitt's inaugural Goldman Prize competition top prize of $15,000 in 2017, enabling hiring and further testing. It also benefited from $53,000 NSF I-Corps funding through Pitt’s Innovation Institute for market validation under business mentorship. Major publications include his 2016 dissertation and "Impact of Collaborative Team Peer Review on the Quality of Feedback in Engineering Design Projects" (co-authored with Christian D. Schunn, Steven W. Dow, Mary Goldberg, Jon Pearlman, William Clark, Irene Mena; International Journal of Engineering Education, 34(4), 1299-1313, 2018). The study showed collaborative team peer reviews resulted in higher feedback quality, greater time investment, and higher student preference for engagement and learning. "Uncovering the Practices, Challenges, and Incentives for Engineering Design Faculty Teaching Critiques" (2018). "Active Cushion Patterns and Alternating Inflation/Deflation Cycle Times Can Influence Seating Interface Pressures" (ASME 2012 Summer Bioengineering Conference, pp. 1243-1244). Mandala's work impacts engineering education by promoting effective peer review and innovative assistive tools.

Professional Email: mam847@pitt.edu