I chose to attend Drexel University for several reasons, the first of which was the Co-op program. With the expansive options that a degree in Biomedical Engineering offers, I wanted to be able to take advantage of the co-op program to gain experience in several positions and areas of study. Another reason why I chose to attend Drexel was its outstanding reputation for an engineering education and premium placement for graduates. Finally, the ability to participate in an accelerated degree program was influential in my decision to attend Drexel. I consider it a great opportunity to be able to challenge myself on this level and to gain both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree during my time at Drexel.

In my experience thus far, I would say that the multi-disciplinary approach present in the Biomedical Engineering curriculum and classes is my favorite aspect of the Biomedical Engineering program. I enjoy being able to incorporate classes of interest with my required courses. It is also a plus that the Biomedical Engineering faculty are of multi-disciplinary backgrounds in addition to Biomedical Engineering, and their accessibility makes it easy to expand studies into particular concentrations or interests.

My concentration is Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, which I chose because it is the most appealing to my interests. In the future, I would like to research regenerative abilities of human tissues, so that these therapies may be incorporated into health care. While I am still gaining experience in all biomedical aspects in my courses, this concentration is providing me with a specific focus in the areas I wish to pursue with a research career.

For my co-op experience, I worked for Exponent, Inc., specifically within the Drexel Implant Research Center. This position mainly focused on the processing and evaluation of tissue samples retrieved from areas surrounding failed orthopaedic implants. I had the opportunity to work beside experienced biologists, engineers, and scientists to learn about, detect, and analyze tissue response to implant wear. Specifically, I learned to section tissue samples and stain slides for analysis under a microscope, and to evaluate the images of the tissue. I was also actively involved in preparations for conference submissions and retrieval program organization. I really enjoyed my co-op experience, continue to work here part-time during the school terms, and will return for my next co-op experience.

I am involved in several organizations on campus, including Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority in which I serve as the Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Panhellenic Council in which I serve as the Scholarship Chair, the Order of Omega, the Society of Women Engineers, the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Rho Lambda Leadership Honor Society, Women in Math and Science, and the Biomedical Engineering Society. Joining a Greek organization is one of the best things that I have done while at Drexel, as it has given me the chance to travel to Connecticut for a leadership conference, gain excellent networking opportunities, expand my leadership, event planning, and public speaking skills, and overall increase my social awareness through social programming and community service or philanthropic events. Outside of Drexel, I am also a member of the Salesianum School Marching Band Pit Crew. As an alumna of the marching band, I feel that it is a wonderful opportunity to be able to give back to the students currently in the band and hope to help make their experience as wonderful as mine was. Finally, I have been invited to speak to the anatomy classes at my high school, Padua Academy, to discuss my opportunities while on co-op and the availability of careers in science and engineering for women. I am greatly honored to be able to share my experiences with students who will become our next generation of career women.

After graduation, I hope to work in a research laboratory, focusing on tissue engineering. My ultimate goal is to participate in tissue regeneration studies, so that the need for implants and artificial prosthetics will be greatly reduced and hopefully eliminated. After working in the field for a bit, I hope to return to school to pursue a doctorate degree in Biomedical Engineering. I also hope to take some courses in patent and intellectual property law, so as to understand the laws that would protect any research or techniques that my team and I would develop.