Dr. Elise A. Corbin, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Delaware, has forged her path in academia by solving problems, pushing boundaries, and mentoring future innovators.
Born in Wilmington and raised in West Chester, Corbin now resides in Kennett Square, where she balances a life of cutting-edge research, teaching, parenting, and, surprisingly, woodworking.
Corbin’s journey began at age 16 when she took a job teaching tennis through the USTA, later coaching underserved youth through the Rodney Street Tennis and Tutoring Association. That early experience in mentorship planted a seed she would nurture throughout her career.
A graduate of B. Reed Henderson High School, Corbin went on to earn her bachelor’s in Engineering Science and Mechanics from Penn State. She then pursued both her master’s and doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, followed by a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania’s Cardiovascular Institute.
Now at the University of Delaware, Corbin divides her time between teaching, research, and service. She thrives on helping students navigate their own paths in engineering, often finding her greatest joy in seeing where their curiosity leads.
“What makes this job so rewarding is the freedom to explore new ideas and the chance to work with brilliant young minds who challenge and inspire me every day,” she said.
Among her many achievements, Corbin counts receiving the NSF CAREER Award as a standout. But one of her proudest moments came earlier in her journey when she presented her work at the IEEE Sensors Conference and won Best Student Paper. That project, which took over two years to complete, gave her the confidence to tackle any challenge in the lab or classroom.
She credits much of her growth to her Ph.D. Advisor, Dr. William P. King, who instilled in her a bold, hands-on approach to problem solving.
“Bill used to tell me, ‘Go experiment — you’ll get an answer faster than sitting around overthinking,’ and that advice really shaped how I work today,” Corbin said.
When she’s not leading groundbreaking research or guiding the next generation of engineers, Corbin enjoys spending time with her young children, ages one and four. A local favorite outing is Hangry Bear Craft Creamery in Kennett Square.
Corbin and the rest of the 2025 Class of VISTA NextGen Superstars will be honored at the Awards Reception & Celebration on Thursday, May 8 at the Penn State Great Valley Conference Center.
Sponsors are still being sought for the VNS Awards Reception & Celebration. A sponsorship offers unparalleled networking opportunities, enhances your organization’s visibility, and aligns you with a celebration of excellence and innovation. Learn more about the various opportunities available to partner with VISTA Today as it honors Chester County’s next generation of leaders, or contact Steve Knickerbocker at [email protected] or 484-437-2826.
