Meghan Eliza Liu Stancliff
Biomedical Engineering Student & Researcher
University of Colorado Boulder · Minor in Creative Writing
"Limitations exist only in the mind. Everything currently impossible simply hasn't been done yet."
Bridging engineering precision with human-centered design — for a more inclusive, equitable world.
A Curious Mind at the Intersection
of Science & Story
With a background in Biomedical Engineering, Meghan Eliza has explored both the technical and societal/human side of engineering. She has come to understand that one cannot exist without the other, and considering social, political, and cultural factors throughout the design process is essential. Meghan Eliza prioritizes these factors while researching Stakeholder Perspective Taking and engineering interdisciplinary communication education.
As a disabled Chinese-American woman studying engineering, Meghan Eliza seeks to facilitate positive change within academia and industry by studying engineering processes and finding ways to make it more inclusive and equitable for minority groups. Meghan is passionate about changing the narrative of how society perceives and understands Engineering/STEM, and plans to research how rigid systems can be changed from the ground up—by altering how we teach K-12 students technical subjects. She hopes to break down barriers and norms that keep people from exploring Engineering/STEM while bringing creative, interdisciplinary, outside-of-the-box thinkers to the field. She loves problem-solving, ethics, and the humanities and is excited to marry the two for her research.
Meghan Eliza is based in Boulder, Colorado, USA. In her free time Meghan Eliza enjoys riding horses, reading, playing with her dog, and expressing her creativity through music, dance, and pottery.
University of Colorado, Boulder
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
Minor in Creative Writing
Case Western Reserve University
B.S. in Biomedical Engineering (incomplete)
"There is no greater reward than seeing an idea come to fruition—especially if it benefits humankind."
Work & Research
Fellow / Intern
Engineering for Change / Prometheus Materials
- Performed intensive literature review on concrete feedstock formulations, 3D concrete printing, and 3D concrete printing apparatuses.
- Designed and conducted experiments to identify optimal concrete feedstock formulations comprised of Prometheus Materials' patented sustainable cement substitutes for 3D printing.
- Attended E4C career advancement and skill-building learning modules and workshops; contributed to research efforts to grow their Solutions Library.
- Screened several ProZero mixtures for properties optimal for 3D printing concrete while reducing carbon footprint.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Burleson Global Design Group, University of Colorado Boulder
- Conducted a literature review to understand previous research on Stakeholder Perspective Taking (SPT), design science, and qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis.
- Independently created IRB protocol for the study, design activity for focus groups, and semi-structured post-interview questions; facilitated all design activity sessions and interviews.
- Performed directed content analysis and utilized a negotiated agreement approach to iterate upon previous SPT Spectrum; proposed SPT Signatures as a tool to better understand SPT.
- First-author of accepted ASME IDETC/CIE2025 paper on Stakeholder Perspective-Taking in Design.
- Assisted with preparation and facilitation of middle school lego-chemistry workshop study funded by the Emergent Nanomaterials Lab.
Undergraduate Student Researcher (4 Rotations)
NASA Convergent Aeronautics Solutions Project
- Gathered stakeholder needs and feedback for the Vulnerability Assessment for Aviation Systems Tool (VAAST); utilized Figma to create mockups and models.
- Recommended 100+ weather events to research causal aeronautic disruptions; created standard for assessing disruption severity and developed stakeholder 'scorecards.'
- Collaborated with an experienced LLM specialist to refine prompts for AI-generated interview debriefs; proposed potential role of large-language models in interview debriefing.
- Co-authored two conference papers, an extended abstract, and a NASA Technical Memorandum.
- Assisted in writing and editing three opportunity concept reports on aeronautic technologies in rural communities.
Lead CAD Designer
Lake Forest Pediatric Dentistry
- Utilized Fusion360 and SolidWorks to create several iterations of a suction mouthpiece designed for patient comfort, maximum suction power, durability, ease of sanitation, and cost effectiveness.
- Independently designed suction mirror attachment and suction straw attachment.
- Communicated with 3D printing manufacturing experts to problem-solve printing failures.
- Coordinated with potential suction mouthpiece manufacturers to assess production feasibility.
Tutor
Self-Employed
- Teach middle- and high-school students math, science, English, and history concepts.
- Prepare materials to supplement learning such as practice problems, reading passages, and articles.
- Help students raise their grade in the subject they struggle with learning and understanding.
Team Leadership & Community Projects
Team Leader
GEEN 2400: Engineering Projects for the Community — Partnership with JAECO Orthopedic
- Delineated and organized tasks to each team member while prioritizing their desired individual learning outcomes, strengths, and overall project efficiency.
- Served as the sole communicator with JAECO spokesperson throughout the design process to ensure requirements were met based on client feedback about JAECO's MultiLink Arm Support.
- Worked with team members to prototype and iterate upon the encasement of the electronic tensioning system using SolidWorks.
Team Leader
MCEN 4228: Mechanical Engineering Design for Inclusion — Wheelchair Project
- Conducted interviews with wheelchair users and medical professionals to understand the impacts of wheelchair use.
- Researched how wheelchair technology and use has evolved over time through scholarly and non-scholarly sources.
- Created a report and presentation with findings; redesigned wheelchair with user feedback in mind.
Engineering & Design Work
A selection of engineering projects spanning biomedical design, sustainable materials, aerospace systems, and human-centered design.
Vulnerability Assessment for Aviation Systems Tool (VAAST)
Gathered stakeholder needs and feedback for VAAST and utilized Figma to create mockups and models for the tool. Co-authored an extended abstract presented at the AIAA SciTech Conference.
Stakeholder Perspective-Taking (SPT) Research
Independently designed and facilitated focus groups and interviews to study how engineering students engage with stakeholder perspectives in design. Expanded the SPT Spectrum and introduced SPT Signatures as a new analytical tool. First-authored two accepted ASME IDETC papers. Research aims to make engineering processes more inclusive and equitable for underrepresented groups.
Sustainable Concrete Formulations for 3D Printing
Identified, evaluated, and optimized ProZERO™ feedstock formulations for 3D concrete printing — screening cement additives and refining material properties for printability, structural integrity, and compatibility. Delivered nine feedstock formulas recommended for further testing, a literature review database, and a 3D Concrete Printing Feedstock Research Summary. ProZERO™ is the first carbon-negative 1:1 replacement for OPC cement. Tools: JMP Statistical Discovery.
Electronic Tensioning System for JAECO MultiLink Arm Support
Led an interdisciplinary team to design a motorized assistive tensioning device for JAECO Orthopedic's MultiLink Mobile Arm Support — enabling clients with limited upper-extremity mobility to independently adjust assistive tension without caretaker assistance. Served as the primary liaison with JAECO's VP of Operations throughout the design process. Designed and iterated the 3D-printed encasement in SolidWorks with spatial optimization as a priority; fabricated prototypes using LulzBot extrusion printers and CU's wood shop. Conducted static force analysis and tensile strength testing (MTS machine) to determine spring constants and required spool revolutions. Integrated an Arduino Nano microcontroller with Bluetooth control, worm gear motor, NiMH battery, and safety shutdown mechanism. Presented the final prototype at CU's Engineering Design Exposition.
Suction Mouthpiece — Pediatric Dental CAD Design
Independently designed multiple iterations of a suction mouthpiece optimized for patient comfort, suction power, durability, and cost-effectiveness using Fusion360 and SolidWorks. Coordinated with manufacturers to assess production feasibility.
Lazy Switch — CAD/Fabrication Design
Utilized SolidWorks part, assembly, and drawing features to design and iterate upon the Lazy Switch. Produced industry-standard drawings of each component and procured an approximation of total production cost.
Peer-Reviewed Publications & Presentations
Published work spanning engineering design, aviation resilience, sustainable materials, and STEM education.
Stancliff, M.E.L., Attai, J., Brubaker, E.R., Burleson, G. (2025).
Exploring How Students Engage With Stakeholder Perspectives in Engineering for Sustainable Development.
Proceedings of the ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences (IDETC), Houston, TX.
Jung, D.N., Stancliff, M.E.L., Burleson, G., Bruns, C.J. (2026).
Strengthening Confidence in STEM Through Hands-On Robotics and Chemistry Workshops in Middle Schools (Evaluation).
Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Conferences, Charlotte, NC.
Mitra, A., Aggarwal, N., Nigam, R., Kopardekar, P.K., Young, L.A., Fichera, N.S., Hinkel, J.M., Wong, J.C., Kent, H., Saadi, J.I., Stancliff, M.E., Brubaker, E.R. (2026).
Vulnerability Assessment for Aviation Systems Tool: Economic Impacts of Natural Disasters.
Proceedings of the AIAA SciTech Conference, Orlando, FL.
Kopardekar, P.K., Mitra, A., Johnson, M.A., Young, L.A., Cozby, H.A., Fichera, N.S., Hinkel, J.M., Kent, H., Saadi, J.I., Stancliff, M.E., Miller, A.L., Brubaker, E.R. (2025).
Building Resilience in Aviation: Economic Impacts of Disasters and Future Adaptations.
Proceedings of the AIAA Aviation Forum, Las Vegas, NV.
Logan, M.J., White, L.M., Bowes, A., Frankforter, E., Brubaker, E.R., Miller, A., Stancliff, M., Rask, J., Fuller, D., Knight, A., Bond, K. (2025).
Application of UAS Technologies to Create Resilient Rural Communities.
Proceedings of the AIAA Aviation Forum, Las Vegas, NV.
Frankforter, E., Bowes, A., Brubaker, E.R., Logan, M., Miller, A., Stancliff, M., White, L., Rask, J., Fuller, D., Bond, K., Knight, A. (2025).
Convergent Opportunities in Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Civil and Aerospace Inspection.
Proceedings of the AIAA Aviation Forum, Las Vegas, NV.
Stancliff, M., Balevic, E.G., Brubaker, E.R., Burleson, G. (2025).
Understanding Stakeholder Perspective Taking (SPT) in Design: Expanding the SPT Spectrum and Introducing SPT Signatures.
Proceedings of the ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences (IDETC), Anaheim, CA.
Knight, A., Brubaker, E.R., Kinch, S., Best, R., Bond, K., Fichera, N., Meadows, M.S., Stancliff, M., Wagner, D., Wohl, C., Villarrubia, J. (2025).
Discovery Fundamental Units: Towards A Nested Framework of Templates for Convergent Innovation.
NASA Technical Memorandum. NASA-TM-20250002378.
Knight, A., White, L.M., Rask, J., Bond, K., Bowes, A., Frankforter, E., Fuller, D., Logan, M.J., Miller, A., Stancliff, M., Brubaker, E.R. (2025).
Visualizing Design Logics as Boundary Objects in Design.
Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED 2025), Dallas, TX, USA.
Stancliff, M.E. (2025).
Building Resilience in Aviation: Economic Impacts of Disasters and Future Adaptations.
Virtual presentation and panel discussion at the AIAA Aviation Forum, Las Vegas, NV.
Recent Highlights
Workshops facilitated, conferences attended, and research featured in the press.
Workshop Co-Facilitator — Design Justice Symposium
University of MinnesotaCo-led a hands-on workshop at the University of Minnesota's Design Justice Symposium exploring how engineering education can center equity, inclusion, and justice. The session engaged participants in critical reflection on power structures within design processes and introduced frameworks for more equitable stakeholder engagement.
Read MoreConference Presentation — Stakeholder Perspective-Taking Research
ASME IDETC & Related ConferencesPresented first-authored research on Stakeholder Perspective-Taking (SPT) in engineering design at multiple summer 2025 conferences. The work introduced the expanded SPT Spectrum and SPT Signatures as novel analytical tools for understanding how engineering students engage with diverse stakeholder viewpoints throughout the design process.
Read MoreFeatured Research — Concrete 3D Printing Feedstock Formulation
Engineering for ChangeResearch on developing optimized feedstock formulations for concrete 3D printing was featured by Engineering for Change. The project, conducted with Prometheus Materials, investigated sustainable binder systems and mix designs to advance additive manufacturing in construction — with potential to reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment.
View ArticleTechnical Skills & Academic Training
- BMEN 1025 – CAD/Fabrication for Biomedical Engineers
- GEEN 2400 – Engineering Projects for the Community
- MCEN 4228 – Special Topics: Mechanical Engineering Design for Inclusion
- ENGR 131B – Introduction to Engineering and Programming (MATLAB)
- CHEN 1310 – Introduction to Engineering Computing (Excel/VBA)
- ENGL 1191 – Introduction to Creative Writing
- WRTG 3020 – Special Topics in Writing: Ways of Telling the Story
- WRTG 3020 – Special Topics in Writing: Narrative and the Self
- FSSO 182 – Urban Nature
Let's Connect
Whether you're interested in research collaboration, have questions about my work, or simply want to connect — I'd love to hear from you. I'm always open to conversations about engineering education, inclusive design, and interdisciplinary research.
Book a 30-minute intro call directly on my calendar.
Grace Burleson
Design Researcher & Educator | Assistant Professor | Mortenson Center Faculty Fellow
University of Colorado at Boulder
[email protected]Anja Lange
Teaching Professor | Director, Herbst Program for Engineering, Ethics & Society
University of Colorado at Boulder
[email protected]"Limitations exist only in the mind. Everything currently impossible simply hasn't been done yet."
© 2026 Meghan Eliza Liu Stancliff