Degree: BS Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology & Bioengineering Track
Graduation Year: Spring 2024
I chose chemical engineering because I really liked its interdisciplinary nature and the opportunity to combine multiple scientific fields to solve complex problems. I specifically chose UMBC because of the strong emphasis the CBEE department places on community, teamwork, and collaborative learning. I wanted a program where I could build meaningful relationships with my professors, and I felt like I could do that here. Looking back on my four years, the supportive and tight-knit environment that UMBC advertised definitely held up to its promise.
A project that had a lasting impact on me was the heat engine experiment in ENCH 225L, where we used temperature reservoirs to power a pulley and lift a weight. I initially struggled with understanding the underlying thermodynamic principles that this experiment was based on, but seeing those same principles successfully play out in real-time was like a “light-bulb” moment. It was one of the first times that I could actually visualize one of the equations that we were learning, which I thought was super cool, and it solidified my interest in engineering as a whole. Something that I didn’t think I would appreciate until going through my degree was the opportunity to collaborate with classmates from different chemE tracks across all of our courses. It was nice to see how the same core chemical engineering principles could be applied to many different industries, and I learned a lot of that through the types of activities (internships, projects, extracurriculars, etc.) that everyone was taking part in.
I am currently working as a medical scribe and applying to MD/PhD programs this cycle. In the clinic I work at, I frequently draw on concepts from biochemical and biomedical engineering (ENCH 482/484) to see how biomaterials could be developed to treat the vascular diseases I often see in patients, which is a perspective that will definitely be useful when I begin my PhD in bioengineering. I also recently completed a Fulbright research grant where I moved to Caen, France to work with nanoemulsion encapsulations for targeted cancer drug delivery. Although this was my first time working with these specific drug carriers, I was able to catch on quickly by applying my UMBC coursework related to drug loading, diffusion, and chemical modeling. I don’t think I would have been able to grasp the theory behind my research so readily without that strong engineering foundation I built during my time here.
My biggest piece of advice for future students would be to never be afraid to reach out to faculty and ask for help when you need it. The professors in the department are super supportive and want their students to succeed, and there are so many different resources that will help you do so. Take full advantage of the discussion sessions, office hours, and study groups made available to you because, chances are, if they’re being offered to you, it’s because it has worked for the hundreds of students in the past. Overall, if you put in the effort, you will do well. I also want to add that, while the major is challenging, I think faculty in CBEE teach in a way that makes the learning process fun. Through interactive and engaging activities like group projects, in-person labs, and guest speakers, I never felt so overwhelmed by the complex concepts we were learning that I forgot why I chose to pursue engineering in the first place. There was always that constant motivation and support that helped me keep pushing through, which I really appreciated.
Some of my favorite moments outside of CBEE at UMBC were spent at the RAC. Playing pickup basketball was always a great way to de-stress and meet new people, including one of my best friends and eventual roommate. There are also always fun and free fitness classes going on. You can learn a new hobby or sport that you never even knew you were interested in, which was always nice to have as an option to take a much-needed break from the academic side of things.