Choosing to study mechanical engineering is a decision rooted in both my passion for innovation and my commitment to addressing the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. Ever since I was young, I've been fascinated by how things work. My early experiences with Legos and taking apart toys evolved into a deep curiosity for mechanical structures and engineering principles. When I first witnessed my uncle repairing a laptop, I realized the intricate design of technology and its potential to improve lives. Then as I grew older, I became increasingly aware of the struggles faced by individuals with physical disabilities, particularly their limited access to advanced prosthetics. Witnessing people struggle with mobility and perform everyday tasks fueled my desire to create prosthetic devices that restore both function and sensation. My short-term goal is to gain hands-on experience in mechanical engineering through research and internships, focusing on prosthetic design and biomedical applications. I have taken steps toward this goal by actively engaging in robotics and engineering projects to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to develop innovative prosthetic solutions in the future. Joining my high school robotics team allowed me to gain hands-on experience with wiring, prototyping, and coding. Learning to build and refine mechanisms for competition has given me insight into the precision and problem-solving required in mechanical design. Additionally, attending UIUC’s Mechanical Engineering camp introduced me to the fascinating world of 3D printing and biomaterials. I learned how stereolithography (SLA) 3D printers can construct complex structures layer by layer, and I began to envision how all this technology could be used to create more affordable and functional prosthetics. Through these experiences, I have learned that prosthetics should not only restore mobility but also enhance the user’s experience by providing comfort, adaptability, and even sensory feedback. In the long term, I envision myself leading groundbreaking research in biomechanical engineering, developing affordable and advanced prosthetic limbs that go beyond basic functionality. I want to design prosthetic arms that enable individuals to play sports like volleyball, tennis, and basketball, and legs that provide agility and responsiveness. Moreover, I aim to integrate AI and machine learning into prosthetics, making them more intuitive and adaptive to their users. By collaborating with research institutions and medical professionals, I aspire to transform the way prosthetics are designed, ensuring they are accessible to all, regardless of financial limitations. As an underrepresented minority in the STEM field, I am acutely aware of the challenges that come with navigating a space where diversity is lacking. Representation matters, and I want to serve as an example for others like me who may hesitate to pursue their dreams in STEM fields due to systemic barriers. Throughout my academic career, I have sought to uplift and support others, whether through my leadership as the president of Key Club or by fostering inclusivity in my community service initiatives. I strive to create opportunities for underrepresented students in STEM by advocating for mentorship programs and accessible resources, ensuring that the next generation of engineers is more diverse and inclusive. Financially, this scholarship would be invaluable in helping me achieve my academic and professional aspirations. Higher education comes with significant financial burdens, and this scholarship would allow me to focus on my studies and research without the constant stress of financial instability that I currently have. This scholarship will help me attend college and allow me to utilize its cutting-edge laboratories and research opportunities which I need to turn my vision into reality. With this support, I can dedicate myself fully to my goal of revolutionizing prosthetic technology and making life-changing advancements in biomedical engineering.

Addressing important social issues has been a key driving force in my academic and personal journey. One of the most important social issues I strive to tackle is accessibility and inclusivity in prosthetics and assistive technologies. Many individuals with physical disabilities lack access to high-functioning prosthetics that allow them to engage in daily activities, let alone sports or specialized tasks. I am working toward addressing this issue through my passion for mechanical engineering, robotics, and innovation. Ever since I was little, I've been fascinated by how things work. My early experiences with Legos and taking apart toys to see how they work evolved into a deep curiosity for mechanical structures and engineering principles. Then as I grew older, I became increasingly aware of the struggles faced by individuals with physical disabilities, particularly their limited access to advanced prosthetics. Witnessing people struggle with mobility and perform everyday tasks fueled my desire to create prosthetic devices that restore both function and sensation. I actively engage in robotics and engineering projects to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to develop innovative prosthetic solutions. Joining my high school robotics team allowed me to gain hands-on experience with wiring, prototyping, and coding. Learning to build and refine mechanisms for competition has given me insight into the precision and problem-solving required in mechanical design. Additionally, attending UIUC’s Mechanical Engineering camp introduced me to the fascinating world of 3D printing and biomaterials. I learned how stereolithography (SLA) 3D printers can construct complex structures layer by layer, and I began to envision how this technology could be used to create more affordable and functional prosthetics. Beyond my technical endeavors, I am deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and uplifting my community. Serving as the president of my school’s Key Club, I have worked to create an environment where every student feels valued and included. Organizing community service events has strengthened my belief in the power of collective action and giving back. One of the most impactful volunteer experiences I had was at a local library, where I helped develop art activities for children. Many children in my community have disabilities, and I realized how important it is to create an accessible world where everyone can thrive. The challenges in prosthetic accessibility extend beyond technology—cost barriers and lack of availability make them unattainable for many people. I want to develop low-cost, customizable prosthetics using AI and machine learning to improve functionality. By collaborating with research labs and medical professionals, I aim to create affordable, high-performance prosthetics tailored to individual needs. My ultimate goal is to combine my engineering knowledge and leadership skills to develop prosthetic limbs that go beyond basic functionality. I want to create arms that allow individuals to play sports like volleyball, tennis, and basketball, and prosthetic legs that provide agility and responsiveness. I also envision integrating sensory feedback into these devices, allowing users to feel what they are touching and improve their overall experience. By pursuing higher education in mechanical engineering, I aim to push the boundaries of prosthetic technology and make these life-changing devices more accessible to those in need. This scholarship will help me gain the resources and education necessary to turn my vision into reality. Through research, innovation, and service, I am committed to addressing the social issue of accessibility in prosthetics and improving the lives of individuals worldwide.

“Grab the Mustard Bottle! Quick!” exclaimed our co-tech captain. The Mustard Bottle??? I thought to myself. It was my first day on deck, and I was getting familiarized with all that was happening on this new robotics team. I was learning about the different tools we used in the shop and how we got around competition season. What was a mustard bottle doing in our pit? And they were going to use it on the robot? I thought this team was crazy. “The yellow hex key pack,” said a fellow teammate. Oh, how quirky. I brought over the mustard bottle and proceeded to tighten bolts just as they’d taught me. I ensured every bolt was perfectly tightened and later did the same in every mechanical check. In UIUC's Mechanical Engineering camp I also learned how a stereolithography(SLA) 3D printer cured resin liquid in layers using UV light, and built our own wood-and-metal model. What left a lasting impact on me most was learning that there’s much more to Mechanical Engineering than just physics and buildings. 3D printers and prosthetics are a huge part of the major, creating the impossible. The idea of prosthetics especially intrigued me; we can make lower-limbs and upper-limbs to help the injured walk again or perform daily activities. Research in bone scaffolds, biomaterials and biomechanics inspires me to think about using 3D printers to enhance prosthetic functions, emphasizing attention to precise details. Understanding the geometric and biological factors of bones is vital to improving the prosthetic needs of each patient–something I’m looking forward to exploring in-depth in college. I am specifically interested in inventing and innovating prosthetics. Using mechanical engineering, I want to invent and innovate prosthetics: not just a leg that stabilizes someone and helps someone walk, but arms that can play volleyball, tennis, and basketball. I want to create extremities so that someone can feel what they’re doing, as proximate to how an able-bodied human would experience sports. I see my passion for engineering and helping others guiding my future. With instructional experience and my creativity, I will benefit my community with scientific advancements. I plan to leave a lasting positive impact on the world. I’m also intrigued by research in bio-inspired robotics, specifically locomotive functions, because it aligns with another interest of mine: building life-saving robots. Taking part in the Center for Biologically Inspired Design and Bio-robotics Labs will help me apply everything I learn to real-world problems. From learning the physical traits of humans to extracting the design principles and implementing them in my dream robots, I imagine inventing robots that efficiently dig up immobilized people under rubble and bring them to safety or that treat patients and perform accurate surgeries. I aim to help others by developing innovative applications worldwide. This scholarship will help me attend college and utilize its profound resources and labs to help me actualize my dreams.

In UIUC's Mechanical Engineering camp we learned how a stereolithography(SLA) 3D printer cured resin liquid in layers using UV light, and built our own wood-and-metal model. What left a lasting impact on me most was learning that there’s much more to Mechanical Engineering than just physics and buildings. 3D printers and prosthetics are a huge part of the major, creating the impossible. The idea of prosthetics especially intrigued me; we can make lower-limbs and upper-limbs to help the injured walk again or perform daily activities. Research in bone scaffolds, biomaterials and biomechanics inspires me to think about using 3D printers to enhance prosthetic functions, emphasizing attention to precise details. Understanding the geometric and biological factors of bones is vital to improving the prosthetic needs of each patient–something I’m looking forward to exploring in-depth in college. I am specifically interested in inventing and innovating prosthetics.Using mechanical engineering, I want to invent and innovate prosthetics: not just a leg that stabilizes someone and helps someone walk, but arms that can play volleyball, tennis, and basketball. I want to create extremities so that someone can feel what they’re doing, as proximate to how an able-bodied human would experience sports. I see my passion for engineering and helping others guiding my future. With instructional experience and my creativity, I will benefit my community with scientific advancements. I plan to leave a lasting positive impact on the world. I’m also intrigued by research in bio-inspired robotics, specifically locomotive functions, because it aligns with another interest of mine: building life-saving robots. Taking part in the Center for Biologically Inspired Design and Biorobotics and Human Modeling Lab will help me apply everything I learn to real-world problems. From learning the physical traits of humans to extracting the design principles and implementing them in my dream robots, I imagine inventing robots that efficiently dig up immobilized people under rubble and bring them to safety or that treat patients and perform accurate surgeries. I aim to help others by developing innovative applications worldwide. This scholarship will help me attend college and utilize its profound resources and labs to help me actualize my dreams.