Having completed all the competencies of the Grand Challenges Scholars Program, I am incredibly grateful for the platform this program has provided me with. As a freshman, I was excited to explore all the aspects of engineering with the goal of navigating my path and establish my interest in the field; while this can seem daunting, GCSP allowed me to plan out the experiences I was interested in and structured my undergraduate career to better understand biomedical engineering through the lens of academic research, entrepreneurship, leadership, management, team work, and community engagement.
Attending the GCSP Faculty Dinner in my freshman year introduced me to my PI and mentor, Dr. Vincent Pizziconi and his BioICAS Lab. With his mentorship and support, I was able to pursue orthopaedic research through the FURI and Grand Challenges Research Stipend programs which allowed me to appreciate the iterative nature of research and its interconnectedness with engineering. Leading a team in the EPICS program was my first holistic experience with people management, enhancing my proficiency in communication, time management, and organization. The sentiment of taking initiative and being proactive has transcended into multiple aspects of my approach as an engineer, researcher, and leader. As I actively pursued opportunities, my curiosity to learn more about the different dimensions of engineering grew, increasing my inclination and willingness to participate in entrepreneurial activities and mentorship programs. Founding Memora and participating in Venture Devils changed my perspective of engineering since it opened my eyes to the necessity of building centered around a relevant, clinical need that would benefit the community. Simultaneously, as I took classes in culture and ethics for medicine, I became increasingly receptive to the different perspectives that are important in medicine and how they impact innovation as well as patients' interaction with medical devices. Completing the Multicultural and Multidisciplinary competencies truly made me a more empathetic and inclusive engineer.
GCSP has been an incredible journey that structured my time as an undergraduate at ASU. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Haolin Zhu and Professor Amy Trowbridge for their mentorship and support throughout the program. Having served as a grader for FSE 250 and FSE 350, I am glad that I could contribute to the program and support GCSP students as a way for me to give back. Additionally, I am happy that GCSP provided me with the space to connect with faculty and professionals while also making long-lasting friendships with my peers. I am certain that the experiences and skills that I have gained through the completion of this program will guide all my future endeavors.