Alan W. Eberhardt, Ph.D., professor and associate chair of education in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, has retired after 35 years of dedicated service.
Eberhardt, who joined the department in 1999, has served in numerous leadership roles including director of the undergraduate program, associate chair of education, interim chair, associate dean, and leader of multiple educational and innovation initiatives within the School of Engineering.
Before joining UAB, Eberhardt earned his Ph.D. in theoretical and applied mechanics from Northwestern University, after majoring in civil engineering as an undergraduate and master’s student at the University of Delaware. After applying to more than 70 academic positions, he received a single interview from UAB, marking the beginning of a career spanning more than three decades.
“Dr. Eberhardt has been instrumental in shaping the educational experience for generations of BME students,” said Jianyi “Jay” Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., professor and T. Michael and Gillian Goodrich Endowed Chair of Engineering Leadership. “Through his leadership of senior design, innovation and commercialization initiatives, and educational program development, he has created transformative opportunities that significantly strengthened our curriculum and educational mission.”
Eberhardt’s dedication to education and mentorship has been recognized with numerous honors, including the 2025 Robert M. Nerem Education & Mentorship Medal, the 2021 Graduate Dean’s Award for Excellence in Mentorship, the 2012 Ellen Gregg Ingalls UAB National Alumni Society Lifetime Teaching Achievement Award, the 2000 and 2006 President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in Biomedical Engineering, and in 2002 by the School of Engineering.
Eberhardt’s impact goes far beyond his own achievements. His dedication to teaching and mentorship has influenced hundreds of engineering students, many who attribute their success to his support.
Reflecting on his career, Eberhardt said he is most proud of the work completed by students in the senior capstone design course to help people with disabilities, as well as the success of his graduate students who have gone on to careers in the medical device industry.
Looking to the future, Eberhardt hopes his lasting impact will be a continued commitment to education and service to individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities.
Beyond his teaching and mentorship, Eberhardt has made significant contributions to research in orthopedic and injury biomechanics. His Experimental Biomechanics Core Lab has trained undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral researchers, preparing them for careers in biomedical engineering with a focus on orthopedic and injury biomechanics.
Eberhardt’s retirement marks a career defined by excellence in teaching, mentorship, research, and service to the Department of Biomedical Engineering. His contributions will continue to impact students, faculty, and the UAB community.