A Scientific Method

YEAR 1 

THE 2012-2013 ADMISSION CYCLE

 

 

 

 

I was always that kid in school who loved math and science, but never felt comfortable owning up to it. On the playground, my friends would complain about word problems, then a few years later it would be F.O.I.L.-ing, then came the long heartfelt rants against physics; all the while I listened silently. Nearly everyone around me was more focused on the social sciences so that I forgot that loving math and science was acceptable.

 

Even middle school, my favorite day was dissection day. I still remember my first dissection in 7th grade when I worked in a group of three students on a fetal pig. In high school my favorite day became lab day. It was in my senior year of high school, during my Advanced Placement (AP) Biology class, that I came to the realization that I needed to work in a laboratory setting. I was excited every time I was able to use an automatic delivery micropipette. Who gets excited about micropipettes? I do. That AP class started my journey towards a career in research.

 

Now here I am, completing a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science, Biomedical Engineering, a major that chose me as much as I chose it. I applied to SMALL STATE SCHOOL as a Biology major with the intent of becoming a clinical geneticist. As the program was full at that time, I needed to decide upon another major. Almost on a whim I selected Biomedical Engineering. This “last minute” change ended up being the best decision I could have ever made. It was because of this decision that I could finally express my passion for math and science without seeming out of place. I look forward to further pursuing my passions in the BIOENGINEERING/BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING/RELATED TOPIC program at TARGET UNIVERSITY.

 

My time in the School of Engineering has solidified my ability to work in a group and think critically. This past summer I worked as a student researcher with two professors and another student on the design, construction, and testing of a smart jacket for musicians with sensors integrated for the collection of various physiological signals. Through this project I was provided the opportunity to interact with three individuals with very different personalities and work styles and learned how to collaborate with each member in order to optimize each interaction.  My partner and I were able to build the circuitry for an Electrodermal Activity sensor and collaborate until the circuitry provided accurate signals. We presented our research in October at the Undergraduate Poster Session at the Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Conference in CONFERENCE CITY and in March at Music, Mind, and Invention Workshop at MY SMALL STATE SCHOOL.

 

Last semester, I conducted an Independent Study in Cardiovascular Bioregenerative Engineering in addition to completing my Senior Design Project. Through both processes I am optimizing my time management skills and working towards learning about topics of specific interest to me. As a part of my Independent Study, I worked on the theoretical design of a device that is capable of providing low amplitude and high frequency mechanical strain for the stimulation of cardiac tissue growth. While my group Senior Design Project focuses on providing a solution for the unobtrusive monitoring of physiological signals for infants with extremely sensitive skin. We are designing a smart vest for neonates with non-adhesive electrodes in order to avoid skin abrasions. This project was presented at the Northeast Bioengineering Conference at HOST UNIVERSITY in March. These projects are provided me experience in device design, critical thinking, problem solving, and experience in my chosen field of Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering.

 

In addition to my academic experiences, my simultaneous leadership in the campus community has prepared me for the rigors of doctoral study. Throughout my college career I have participated in multiple student organizations, but I am extremely active in three specific organizations. During my freshmen year I became involved with The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) at MY SMALL STATE SCHOOL. Currently, I am in my third year as a member of the executive board and my second as President.  As a member of the SWE executive board I have worked to increase membership activity and developed cross class relationships. This is best exemplified through a program I initiated last year called “Secret SWEster,” in which SWE members were provided the opportunity to get to know one another through a modified secret gift exchange. We are also in the process of organizing traveling outreach events to schools in the MY SMALL STATE SCHOOL area to encourage girls in third through eighth grade to pursue careers in engineering as well as organizing networking events with professionals in MY SMALL STATE SCHOOL AREA SWE. One of SWE’s priorities has always been networking, and these two events allow SWE members to reach out to the local community to make professional connections as well as provide mentorship opportunities.

 

During my tenure at MY SMALL STATE SCHOOL, both of these events had lacked the proper support and resources in order to be successful. Through our connections with members in the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Kappa Delta sorority, we were able to expand our resources, enabling us to schedule nine different outreach events with additional invitations to be scheduled.

 

I am also active in the Office of Residential Education and Housing where I am an Assistant Resident Director (ARD). There are a total of 13 ARDs on campus, and we each are in charge of assisting the Resident Director in running our specific Residence Hall. More specifically we are in charge of maintaining the safety of the Hall and the organization and security of residential personal information. To create a balance for my very busy life, I have been involved in Catholic Campus Ministries (CCM) since my Freshman year. I am a vocalist for the “CCM Band” and I now run the Music Ministry as the co-Vice President of Liturgy.

 

I have been exposed to many amazing subsets of engineering and I could not imagine doing anything else. If the Biomedical Engineering program had not decided upon me, I never would have found my passion for biomaterials and tissue engineering and may never have discovered my interest in the cardiovascular system.

 

I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason and that multiple vignettes from my life directed me towards and prepared me for my pursuit of a graduate degree in BIOENGINEERING/BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING/RELATED TOPIC.