Chemical Engineering
Biography
My name is Ellie Donen, and I am a chemical engineering major and a member of the 2028 cohort of the Heath Integrated Business and Engineering Program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT). At my core, I have always loved solving problems—whether it was playing strategy games like “Set” and “Mastermind” with my family or adjusting my approach on the tennis court. Both experiences taught me how to recognize patterns and stay resilient when things didn’t go as planned. I also deeply value connection and relationships, which I cultivated during several years of working in a retirement home. Listening to residents’ stories taught me the importance of practicing empathy, patience, and approaching challenges with both logic and compassion.
I discovered Heath IBEP before attending UT, and it immediately stood out to me. I believe that engineering cannot exist in isolation from business principles. While engineering is rooted in problem-solving, solutions are only impactful when paired with business insight. Over the next three years in Heath IBEP, I aim to grow beyond technical training by developing professional skills that bring ideas to life while fostering a strong sense of community where peers support one another and form lasting connections.
Looking ahead, I am eager to gain hands-on experience through research and internships. I am particularly drawn to pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and sustainable energy—fields that allow me to work directly on projects that improve lives and shape the future. I thrive in hands-on, collaborative environments where I can be in the lab or on the floor, experimenting and solving problems in real time. Through Heath IBEP, I hope to continue growing as a teammate and engineer who bridges technical expertise with business understanding to create solutions that truly matter.
