My Vision
Designing For All.
Motivation
My path to discovering my passion for engineering was a journey. From a young age, I had diverse interests in sports, biology, art, and business, leaving me uncertain about my future direction. Then, I stumbled upon a summer engineering camp and decided to give it a shot. It was there that I constructed my very first engineering project, an IoT weather indicator, and instantly fell in love with the entire process. I immersed myself in self-teaching complex physics concepts, collaborating with peers to create prototypes, troubleshooting issues, and finally showcasing the finished product. That moment was a pinnacle of accomplishment and happiness, solidifying my desire to become an engineer.
While I still hadn't pinpointed the specific field of engineering, a significant turning point occurred during my junior year of high school when I tore my UCL. As I grappled with the frustrations of wearing an uncomfortable, expensive brace that hindered my sleep, my anger transformed into a revelation. I realized that I could make a difference in the future, specifically in the realm of bioengineering and medical device development. By merging my interests in engineering, biology, and sports, I envisioned creating more comfortable prosthetics and braces for the disabled and injured. Having experienced knee bone bruises, IT-band strain, and a stress fracture myself, I began exploring ways to aid athletes by designing protective sports gear that effectively prevents injuries, such as concussion-preventing helmets and shoes with superior ankle support. This fascination with enhancing human lives grew exponentially as I delved into various technologies like wearables, robotic surgeries, cardiovascular health monitoring, chronic disease management, and neuromodulation. The field of medical devices opened up endless possibilities for me.
Now, engineering serves as a conduit for me to positively impact the world through human health. As I continue my journey toward becoming an engineer, I always keep in mind the motivation behind my choice to pursue bioengineering: the UCL elbow brace. My goal is to replace uncomfortable, unappealing, and costly devices with designs that prioritize user experience. Whether I'm designing prosthetics, braces, or other medical equipment, I aspire to provide patients with devices they can trust, bringing them greater comfort and confidence in their healthcare journey.
Goals
My aspiration is to be an engineer dedicated to improving human lives, and despite its cliché nature, that's precisely why I embarked on this path. My particular interest lies in leveraging engineering to advance medical devices and enhance the well-being of individuals.
Irrespective of the projects I undertake or products I design, my foremost priority is inclusivity. I am committed to considering the needs of diverse consumers and placing people at the core of my design process. Factors such as affordability, human ergonomics, and accessibility will always inform my approach.
I have already begun applying these principles in my role as a research assistant at the material robotics lab and through various class projects. These experiences have instilled in me a growing realization that my vision and goals can indeed become a reality. I am confident that in the future, I will make significant contributions to the development of devices that improve the lives of all individuals, regardless of their ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics. I am thrilled to continue my journey as an engineer and eagerly anticipate the opportunities that lie ahead.