Mechanical Engineering
- Hometown: Chester Springs, PA
Biography
Growing up in a household with an older sister and a twin sister, I have learned important life skills, such as the art of patience and problem resolution, but I have also developed the growth mindset necessary for me to harness my full potential. The successes earned by my older sister as she worked towards her PhD in materials science and engineering and by my twin as she undertook an undergraduate career in aerospace engineering at UT have inspired me to whole-heartedly pursue my own academic goals. From a young age, I believed hard work was the only key to success. While hard work is undoubtedly important, I have since realized that embracing new and unexpected opportunities with enthusiasm has made the biggest difference in my college experience. Welcoming change and celebrating adaptability has led me to take on leadership positions in the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society and Engineering Professional Practice Office and broadened my education experiences through undergraduate research, internships, and the Heath Integrated Business and Engineering Pro-gram.
When I first learned of Heath IBEP, I was unaware of the true value of the program––I was so focused on pursuing engineering in college that I dismissed the potential of an interdisciplinary program. However, entering college in the midst of a pandemic highlighted the interconnectedness of business and engineering. While solutions can be engineered to fix any problem, effective problem solving requires a multidisciplinary approach to deliver business solutions that meet a true consumer need with a viable business plan.
I embraced this mindset throughout my college experience as I expanded my interests, knowledge, and skillset. In my sophomore year, I first delved into research in a joint position at the Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. While unrelated to my major, this research provided me with the opportunity to learn about additive manufacturing, polymer chemistry, and materials science. In fact, I enjoyed the learning and problem-solving involved in research so much that I then participated in a summer research internship through the Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering. This experience took my research and learning in a new direction as I developed soft robotics for the biomedical industry. Before my junior year, I also sought to explore research in an industry setting and interned with the research and development team at Fresenius Medical Care.
My passion for learning and embracing new opportunities also extends to my professional goals. As I have realized the value of open mindedness and adaptability, I am eager to work with others who bring new perspectives and ideas to the table. My ultimate goal is to make a difference in my community and even the world. No matter the industry, I crave a career where I can apply my technical knowledge, problem solving skills, and passion to improve the lives of the people around me.
