Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Associate Professor (courtesy), Statistics, Michigan Engineering
Dr. Balzano actively contributes to D-E-I through her service, classroom instruction, and mentorship of research students. She has been an active member of the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Committee for an Inclusive Department, where she helped draft a positive Code of Conduct. This effort has invigorated discussions and awareness regarding climate issues and the effects of faculty conduct on students, staff, and fellow faculty members.
In her classes, Laura incorporates diversity-promoting modules, including videos from Black engineers, a machine learning ethics lecture about race and gender bias in machine learning algorithms, as well as historical views of statisticians who studied and supported eugenics.
She is active in helping prepare the next generation of engineers through her support of outreach to high school students through Wolverine Pathways and the Engineering OnRamp.
Her commitment to interweaving D-E-I in all these activities is a model for other faculty members to emulate.
