When Hannah Dailey says she feels like she's been at Lehigh her whole life, she means it. She did her undergrad in mechanical engineering here, came back for her master's and PhD, and today she’s an associate professor specializing in medical devices. In this episode, she explains why mechanical engineering isn't just about engines, robots and airplanes—the field also plays a vital role in medicine. She reflects on her journey from "terrified" transfer student to entrepreneur helping surgeons improve patient care, why expanding opportunities for women in engineering will lead to better ideas, better technologies and a stronger profession, and the one thing she thinks everyone needs to hear.

Guest bio:

Hannah Dailey is an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics at Lehigh University whose research focuses on orthopedic biomechanics, bone fracture healing and medical device innovation. A Lehigh engineering alum, she previously worked at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, co-founded the orthopedic startup OrthoXeL in Ireland and continues to develop technologies that help surgeons better evaluate and improve fracture healing. Her work combines mechanical engineering, medical imaging, computer simulation and orthopedic research to improve patient care while advancing the science of bone repair.

Rossin Connection is hosted and produced by Christine Fennessy, with support from the Dean’s office at the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science.

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