Faculty Directory
David O'Neill

Professor of Instruction

Michael Jaharis Director of Experiential Learning

Contact

2145 Sheridan Road
Tech M335
Evanston, IL 60208-3109

847-491-2984Email David O'Neill

Departments

Biomedical Engineering

Education

DPhil, Engineering Science, University of Oxford, UK, 2012

MEng, Engineering Science, University of Oxford, UK, 2008

LLCM, Conducting, London College of Music, University of West London, UK, 2018


Research Interests

Starting from a background in general engineering, I undertook doctoral studies modeling heat transfer and cell death in the liver during radiofrequency ablation. My post-doctoral work was based around development of a prototype medical device for respiratory gas analysis in collaboration between the departments of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Nuffield Division of Anaesthesia, and the Kadoorie Centre for Critical Care Research.

Throughout my time in Oxford, I taught undergraduate tutorials for Keble, New, University, and Harris Manchester Colleges, was College Lecturer for New College and a Senior College Lecturer in Engineering Science for Keble College.  I taught approximately 75% of the core degree topics, as well as human physiological measurement laboratory classes for medical students.

Alongside my teaching and administrative duties at Northwestern I focus on curriculum development.  Current projects and interests include implementing mastery-based grading schemes, developing vertical curricula and increasing the level of synopticism throughout the biomedical engineering degree path.  I work closely with Prof Casey Ankeny both as co-instructors and in shared pedagogical research interests.



Courses Taught

  • BME 207: Experimental Design (Lab course)
  • BME 271: Introduction to Biomechanics (BME discussion section)
  • BME 307: Quantitative Experimentation and Design
  • BME 390-1 Biomedical Engineering Design ('Capstone')
  • BME 390-2 Biomedical Engineering Design ('Capstone')
  • BME 390-3 Biomedical Engineering Design ('Capstone')
  • DSGN 106: Design Thinking & Communication (DTC 1 and DTC 2)

Selected Publications

  • Ankeny, Casey Jane; O'Neill, David P.; Gentry, Ken; Eshun, Philippa, Effectiveness of Inclusive, Reflective Teaching Practices on Problem Solving Proficiency, ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings (2024).
  • Mountain, James E.; Santer, Peter; O'Neill, David P.; Smith, Nicholas M.J.; Ciaffoni, Luca; Couper, John H.; Ritchie, Grant A.D.; Hancock, Gus; Whiteley, Jonathan P.; Robbins, Peter A., Potential for noninvasive assessment of lung inhomogeneity using highly precise, highly time-resolved measurements of gas exchange, Journal of applied physiology 124(3):615-631 (2018).
  • O'Neill, David P.; Robbins, Peter A., A mechanistic physicochemical model of carbon dioxide transport in blood, Journal of applied physiology 122(2):283-295 (2017).
  • Ciaffoni, Luca; O’Neill, David P.; Couper, John H.; Ritchie, Grant A.D.; Hancock, Gus; Robbins, Peter A., In-airway molecular flow sensing, Science Advances 2(8) (2016).