Ying Sun was the ‘Heart and Soul’ of URI’s Biomedical Engineering Program

Professor Ying Sun

By Neil Nachbar

In the 35 years that Professor Ying Sun was a faculty member at the University of Rhode Island, his accomplishments as a researcher and educator were as lengthy as they were impressive.

However, Sun, who died at the age of 63 after a morning run on May 9, 2020, will be remembered just as much for his leadership, compassion and collaborative spirit as he will for his issued patents, published research articles or well-deserved awards.

The Architect of URI’s Biomedical Engineering Program

Sun is credited with being the driving force behind the formation of URI’s biomedical engineering program.

“Ying was perhaps the most influential in the establishment and accreditation of our biomedical engineering program,” said Raymond M. Wright, dean of the College of Engineering. “He worked tirelessly to make the program happen. Today it is a highly successful program, largely because of the influence of Ying.”

2019 Northeast Bioengineering Conference — Professor Ying Sun’s capstone design class attended the Northeast Bioengineering Conference at Rutgers University on March 22, 2019. Sun, pictured on the right, brought his class to the conference each year to present their projects.

Sun was the main architect of the biomedical engineering curriculum in 1996. In 2003, Sun developed a hands-on, project-based course to engage undergraduate students in research, development, innovation and presentations at professional conferences. That course, which he taught every year, became the two-semester capstone design program in 2010.

Sun’s hard work led to the biomedical engineering program becoming accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology in 2011.

Using Engineering to Improve the Lives of Others

In Sun’s Assistive Technology Laboratory, the professor, and the students under his guidance, conducted research that led to real-world solutions for those with special needs.

One student in Sun’s lab made a lasting impression on the professor and vice versa.

When a car accident left Kevin Cronin a quadriplegic in 1997, he was determined to use his mechanical abilities to create ways to make his new life easier. After years of surgeries and rehabilitation, Cronin joined Sun’s lab as an intern in 2003. That experience would have a much greater impact on Cronin than he or the professor could have foreseen.

Cronin developed a switch and arm brace to help 10-year-old girl who had cerebral palsy more easily operate a voice output device that helps her communicate, as well as operate toys, a radio, and other equipment.

Biomedical engineering students, from left, Alaa Eid, Celia Dunn and Mia Mitchell, work on a Lil’ Rhody Riders project with physical therapy students.

“Being part of the group working with Dr. Sun became Kevin’s reason to get out of bed every day and come to campus,” said Cronin’s mother Nancy Gillespie. “Having something to work on and a group to work with gave Kevin a new lease on life.”

Cronin died in 2008, but he undoubtedly would have been pleased to know that Sun and his students continued to work on projects that benefited those with disabilities.

Teaming up with students from URI’s physical therapy program, Sun’s students created the Lil’ Rhody Riders, a group that redesigned toy cars to accommodate children with special needs.

“This project is a wonderful marriage of two URI departments,’’ said Sun at the time. “It shows how engineering technology can benefit the community and children with disabilities.’’

Technologies and Music, Ying Sun — Professor Ying Sun showed students in the Technologies and Music course how to make a flute out of PVC pipe.

Sharing a Passion Through Interdisciplinary Education

In 2019, Sun teamed up with two other departments at URI to create a new course that would be open to students of all majors. Partnering with Associate Professor Ian Reyes of URI’s Harrington School of Communication and Media and URI Professor of Music Eliane Aberdam, the Technologies and Music course was born.

Having played the classical guitar for more than 45 years, the new course was the perfect vehicle for Sun to share his passion for music and his knowledge of engineering with students from all backgrounds.

guitar folded up, Ying Sun — This guitar was displayed in Professor Sun’s office at URI. He designed and built the guitar, which he named “Virtuoso,” more than 20 years ago. The frames, cut from a piece of mahogany board, could be detached so that the guitar could fit in a suitcase.

“Ying loved working with students. He always had time for them outside of class and was incredibly inspiring,” said Reyes. “He was absolutely brilliant, but also remarkably humble and curious about the world around him. Ying’s ability to connect STEM with the arts was unparalleled. I learned a lot about multi-disciplinary education from working with him.”

The general education course grew from 70 students enrolled in the Spring 2019 semester to 86 students, representing at least 13 different majors, enrolled in Spring 2020.