Research Interests
Dr. Dunbar is the Managing Director of The Christensen Family Center for Innovation. She oversees key initiatives such as the Duke Product Lab and Pratt Founders. Her work focuses on creating a cohesive innovation ecosystem within Duke Engineering that is human-centered, collaborative, and impact-driven.
In her role as Interim Director of the A. James Clark Scholars Program, Dr. Dunbar provides academic and professional mentoring to a highly selective group of engineering undergraduates who integrate leadership, business literacy, and civic engagement into their studies.
As a faculty member teaching Business Leadership for Engineers, she teaches the human systems that make the technical systems succeed. Her courses are preparing the next generation of engineers to lead in complex, interdisciplinary environments.
Dr. Dunbar collaborates widely across campus and with external partners to align Pratt’s innovation initiatives with real-world impact. She works closely with engineering faculty, industry professionals, and student founders to accelerate transformative research, support equitable access to innovation resources, and strengthen Duke’s role as a leader in teaching tech product leadership and engineering entrepreneurship.
Areas of focus: Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Engineering • Leadership and Professional Development • Communication • Program Design and Strategy • Innovation Ecosystems