1. Why did you choose Santa Clara University's School of Engineering?
When I was applying to schools, I honestly did not know what I wanted in a university. I was interested in bioengineering because I loved math and science and thought I wanted to go to medical school. So, I applied to bioengineering programs at small and huge schools, at very engineering focused and broader liberal arts schools. I applied to many schools I had not visited, including SCU. Frankly, the main reason I chose Santa Clara was because I received a great scholarship that made it super affordable for me and my family.
Luckily for me, SCU turned out to be a perfect fit. During my four years, I loved Santa Clara's emphasis on engaging you inside and outside of the classroom. I got to take a wide variety of classes through the core curriculum that enhanced and enriched my education beyond engineering, including classes in sociology, religion, ethics, and, my personal favorite, improv. Outside of the classroom, I joined Dr. Steven Suljak's chemistry lab during my first year, discovering a love of research that shaped my career path. I was a Student Ambassador for four years, improving my communication skills and finding a wonderful group of friends across the university. I explored the Bay Area and the surrounding areas through SCU's outdoor club Into the Wild. For me, SCU's biggest strength is that it allows students to receive a great education while simultaneously exploring their passions.
2. What has your journey been like since leaving SCU?
During my junior and senior year, I started looking for an ethical and personally fulfilling application of bioengineering. I started hearing a lot about plant-based meats, especially given Impossible Foods' nearby location in the Bay Area. I was super excited. The alternative protein industry seemed like a perfect place to apply my research skills to the broader goals of lessening the environmental impact of meat, improving human health, and improving animal welfare. I was also really interested in the novel research going on.
SCU gave me a lot of tools to start networking in the alternative protein field. I connected with people at different companies through professors, previous students, and a panel held on campus. I eventually accepted a job as a Research Associate at Beyond Meat in Los Angeles. Working at Beyond Meat has been a fantastic experience and has been everything I was looking for in an ethically-driven career.
3. How has SCU helped you achieve your goals since graduating?
As I said before, the opportunities I had at SCU helped me get my job. The engineering education I received helps me be an effective researcher, implementing a wide variety of the tools I learned. The extracurricular activities I did prepared me to be a collaborative team mate and to continue exploring my interests outside of work. As I look forward to the future, I know my education at SCU will help me as I continue in industry or if I eventually decide to go back to school to pursue a Masters or a PhD.