From the minute geometric symmetry of snowflakes to spiral-shaped shells that follow the Fibonacci sequence to the concentric circles of a tree, math surrounds us. We use math to help better understand many of the natural phenomena in our world, including our own physiology. What fascinates me is how we use math to not only understand our bodies, but to augment them. Biomedical engineering uses the principles of physics and math in tandem with the knowledge of how the human body works to improve the human condition. In my mind, this can be boiled down to math outside of the body being used to better the math inside of the body. While this may be an oversimplification, all of engineering can be reduced to math, applied creatively. The idea of having a career where I can utilize something as fundamental as math to innovatively combat healthcare issues is exhilarating. In a continually evolving world, math will always be a constant. I know that even with a staggering number of variables, a system of linear independent equations can always be simplified. I know that a harrowing integral always has a trick to it. I know that the most daunting question will somehow have an answer. With difficult, complex problems, I always remind myself to break down the question into what I know. By identifying what I already know versus what I do not know yet, I find it easier to apply my prior knowledge to tackle the more challenging aspects of a problem. In fact, this process often reveals the beautiful, layered intricacy that can only be found in careful calculations. While this practice has become a habit for my coursework, it also translates to other challenges in life. Although a task may seem overwhelming, there will always be a way to break down a problem into more manageable chunks and there will always be constants to rely on. I approach such daunting issues with the confidence of knowing that I have successfully solved problems that seemed impossible and the knowledge of the tried-and-true method I have used to solve these problems. As an engineer, my appreciation and understanding of math drive my day-to-day life. Math has given me the resiliency and skill set I need to overcome whatever obstacles I encounter, and I intend to use these tools to help those who need it most. The precision and accuracy that can only be achieved through analytical reasoning are critical factors of successful engineering. In order to accomplish my goal of creating medical devices that will save lives, I know I will need to heavily rely on the lessons I have learned from math, both directly and indirectly.

Ever since I was a child, I have loved creating. From painting my favorite nature scenes to building Star Wars Lego sets, the process of ideating my own project and being responsible for it coming to life has always been enthralling. Additionally, I have always had a strong interest in science, and I knew that I wanted a career where I could help others with it. However, I knew my aversion to blood would render me a hopeless doctor, so I explored other areas in STEM. My love for creating and fascination with science have seamlessly translated into studying biomedical engineering and digital fabrication at Vanderbilt University. As I approach the start of my junior year, I can confidently say that engineering is how I will create a tangible change in the world. As I learn more about the field of engineering and its intersections with medicine, my interests always circle back to 3D printing. The implications of this technology are tremendous, and it will undoubtedly play a critical role in improving numerous lives. 3D printing will enable medical devices to be engineered to an individual’s needs, personalizing healthcare in order to maximize benefits while minimizing costs. Additionally, 3D printing provides an affordable alternative to many modern-day devices. For example, automated syringe pumps are vital in NICU environments, yet cost thousands of dollars. For a project at Vanderbilt, I designed and assembled a fully functioning syringe pump with material costs of less than a hundred dollars. In my career, I hope to utilize 3D printing to create medical devices that are more financially accessible, so finances will never be a barrier to someone’s health. From a young age, I have engaged with my community in order to make a positive difference. In high school, I was elected into numerous leadership positions, including President of the National Honor Society and Captain of Mock Trial. These positions allowed me to gain invaluable experience in working with people from different backgrounds, delegating tasks, and coordinating events. I had the honor of leading my classmates in many different areas, and I had the even greater honor of representing them as my class’s Valedictorian. Now, I am the Philanthropy Director for my sorority, where I’ve planned fundraiser events including a flower sale for Thistle Farms in Nashville and a basketball tournament for Make-a-Wish Middle Tennessee. In the last five months I’ve held this position, I’ve raised over $1,500 through these fundraisers. I have also coordinated events where my chapter has interacted with and learned from the groups we work with, including making letters for children to open up on their Wish Days and brunches with the women who have gone through the program at Thistle Farms. Holding a leadership position where I can mobilize such a large group of people to engage with and give back to our community has been incredibly rewarding. Furthermore, my extracurricular activities have given me a skill set that will indubitably contribute to my strength as an engineer, as collaboration, time management, and critical thinking are all vital to successful engineering. If I had to sum up my ultimate goal in life, it would be to serve others. What that looks like for me now is serving my community through fundraising and volunteering. In the future, I hope to use my interpersonal skills gained through extracurriculars and scientific knowledge to make life-changing devices that are financially accessible to everyone who needs them. Through creating beneficial technologies, I aspire to create a distinct change for good, and having the financial support of this scholarship would aid me in accomplishing this.

My childhood was filled with the sizzling of sesame oil in a wok, the fluffiness of freshly steamed bao buns, the sweetness of ripe lychee, and the aroma of ginger and garlic. As a child, my culture seemed to be defined by the delicious food my mother cooked. Being Chinese meant moon cakes on Lunar New Year and mapo tofu when I had a bad day. I felt connected to my heritage through its cuisine, especially during moments like learning how to make dumplings with my mom and my grandma in the two-story townhouse my mother’s entire family grew up in. However, as I grew up I realized that my culture was so much richer than just its delicious food. One of the ways I learned about my culture was through the subtle moments throughout my life, such as my mom making egg rolls for family friends whenever they were sick or struggling. My mother’s generosity and love for others were characteristics that I had just attributed to her personality, but her unwavering loyalty to her loved ones and the kindness she extends to all are principles deeply rooted in my culture. I was brought up thinking that love, integrity, and kindness were all just traits that everybody should strive to embody, but never fully understood how they underlie many of my family’s traditions and values until I was older. As an adult, I now see how my memories of food exemplify the aspects of my culture that I value the most. My recollections of drinking green tea with my mom and grandma translate to how I respect and value my elders, and making meals for friends and family shows the love I have for them. While delicious food is still an important part of my culture, what is even more important is the people who taught me how to make it and how they embody my favorite parts of my heritage. My mother’s generosity and care for her community are traits that I have looked up to my whole life. From a young age, I knew I wanted a career where my work would benefit others. In hopes of doing so, I am pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Digital Fabrication. I have a great interest in 3D printing, and I have seen firsthand how this incredible technology can create life-saving equipment at a fraction of the average cost. For example, automated syringe pumps are vital in NICU environments, yet cost thousands of dollars. For a project at Vanderbilt, I designed and assembled a fully functioning syringe pump with material costs of less than a hundred dollars. In my career, I hope to utilize 3D printing to create medical devices that are more financially accessible, so finances will never be a barrier to someone’s health. While I aspire to achieve this long-term goal, I also want to give back to my community in the present. As the Philanthropy Director of my sorority, I have had the opportunity to oversee numerous philanthropic events and organize over a hundred members to engage with our community. In the last four months I’ve held this position, I have planned many fundraiser events, including a flower sale for Thistle Farms in Nashville and a basketball tournament for Make-a-Wish Middle Tennessee, which have raised over $1,500 for these local organizations. I have also coordinated events where my chapter has interacted with and learned from the groups we work with, including making letters for children to open up on their Wish Days and brunches with the women who have gone through the program at Thistle Farms. Holding a leadership position where I can mobilize such a large group of people to get involved with and give back to our community has been incredibly rewarding. Throughout my life, I strive to do work that will better the world around me. Whether it be through creating medical devices or planning fundraisers or just making egg rolls for a friend in need, my family has taught me the importance of caring for others in whatever way I can.

As an engineering student, it is so exhilarating to be studying a field that is perpetually evolving. Every day, new technologies are invented and novel applications of pre-existing technologies are discovered. While 3D printing itself is not a new invention, its applications in medicine and healthcare are constantly expanding- especially on the microscale level. Microfluidic technologies control and manipulate extremely small amounts of fluids in a critically precise manner. Microfluidic systems consist of a pump and a series of channels, all of which are usually contained on a small chip. This system is often referred to as a “lab-on-a-chip,” as it integrates multiple laboratory functions onto a singular chip. Microfluidics can be employed in numerous instances, such as DNA analysis, mass spectrometry, and electrophoresis. However, I am most interested in its biomedical applications. Microfluidics can be used for drug delivery, disease diagnosis, and tissue engineering. Most notably, this lab-on-a-chip can be translated into an organ-on-a-chip. Organs-on-chips simulate the physiological functions of organs and even entire organ systems. By providing an in vivo-like environment, organs-on-chips are tailored to replicate specific tissues in order to explore how these engineered tissues respond to diseases and drugs. This technology provides a better understanding of the physiological systems of humans, which will consequently lead to improved healthcare and more specialized treatments. Additionally, these organs-on-chips can be utilized in many industries as a humane alternative to animal testing. Functional microtechnologies rely on millions of microscopic, precise systems. This need for a minuscule level of precision can be fulfilled through 3D printing. The 3D printing of microfluidics allows for the quick, low-cost creation of intricate, microscopic structures. When used in tandem, 3D printing and microfluidics will truly revolutionize healthcare, as complex devices can be rapidly made affordably. As I learn more about the field of engineering and its intersections with medicine, my interests always circle back to 3D printing. The implications of this technology are tremendous, and it will undoubtedly play a critical role in improving numerous lives. 3D printing will enable medical devices to be engineered to an individual’s needs, personalizing healthcare in order to maximize benefits while minimizing costs. Additionally, 3D printing provides an affordable alternative to many modern-day devices. For example, automated syringe pumps are vital in NICU environments, yet cost thousands of dollars. For a project at Vanderbilt, I designed and assembled a fully functioning syringe pump with material costs of less than a hundred dollars. In my career, I hope to utilize 3D printing to create medical devices that are more financially accessible, so socioeconomic status will never be a barrier to someone’s health.

For nearly all of history, manufacturing has been thought of as taking material and reducing it to something new. This specific manufacturing process is known as subtractive manufacturing, as a component is essentially carved out of raw material. While the majority of manufacturing processes operate this way, there are many drawbacks. Subtractive manufacturing produces a significant amount of material waste, is time-consuming, and is limited by the capacity of the tools available. Additive manufacturing redefines how traditional manufacturing has been thought of and offers a solution to the limitations of subtractive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing creates a component by building it from the ground up, layer by layer. This allows for a component to have highly specialized features, many of which might not have been achievable through subtractive manufacturing. The specific type of additive manufacturing that particularly inspires me is 3D printing. 3D printing has the potential to revolutionize the world as we know it. Its seemingly limitless applications have inspired me to pursue a minor in Digital Fabrication in addition to my major in Biomedical Engineering at Vanderbilt University. I believe these two areas can work in tandem to create quick, affordable, and entirely customizable solutions to many medical issues and significantly improve lives. 3D printing allows for the creation of custom-made pieces with almost any feature imaginable, at a large range of sizes. This technology will enable medical devices to be engineered to an individual’s needs, personalizing healthcare to maximize benefits while minimizing costs. Additionally, 3D printing provides an affordable alternative to many modern-day devices. For example, automated syringe pumps are vital in NICU environments, yet cost thousands of dollars. For a project at Vanderbilt, I designed, printed, programmed, and assembled a fully functioning syringe pump with material costs of less than a hundred dollars. In my career, I hope to utilize 3D printing to create many critical medical devices that are more financially accessible, so finances will never be a barrier to someone’s health. Because of its wide range of applications and low cost, 3D printing will indubitably change our world for the better.