Waterloo Engineering in one word:
Innovative
I choose Waterloo Engineering because:
The cohort setting in engineering programs really interested me. I also knew that I would gain both research and industry experience through the co-op program.
The best thing about my program is:
Definitely the professors! BME is full of amazing professors who are always open to guiding and advising students. Professors highly value the well-being of their students and try their best to ensure that students are able to perform well academically while still being able to participate in extracurricular activities outside the classroom. Regardless of the type of course, professors also try their hardest to keep all courses relevant to BME.
About my Co-op experience:
My most recent work term was at a research lab at the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology. I had the opportunity to work with a fantastic group of researchers to develop novel electrochemical biosensors to monitor levels of certain compounds present in the human body.
I wish I had known before I came:
Sleep is crucial! It's not worth staying up an extra 2 hours the night before an exam for last-minute cramming. Make sure you are always well-rested before major assessments, and remember to get some exercise!
Outside the classroom, I’m involved with:
iGEM – iGEM is the synthetic biology design team here at UW. Our goal is to use the power of synthetic biology to design solutions to medical, environmental, and industrial issues. I am a member of the lab and design subteam.
BioTEC – BioTEC is Canada's premier student-run conference focused on the intersection of healthcare and technology. I am a speakers lead on the operations team.
Podcasting – I co-host a podcast called Beyond the Books with a fellow BME student!
A fun project I’ve completed:
During my 1A term in BME 161, I had the opportunity to work with a team of students to create an assistive device for cooking that can be used by those who are visually impaired. We created a special funnel that can be placed around the rim of a pot and warn the user (through a speaker) when water levels are becoming high due to boiling. I really enjoyed this project, as it taught me a lot about the engineering design process and how even the simplest solutions can have the most significant impacts!
One more thing about me:
During quarantine, I co-founded a non-profit organization called the Goodwill Initiative with a couple of friends, and our goal is to help vulnerable communities around Canada. In the past, we have fundraised money for the homeless, hosted soup kitchens, organized supply drives, and recently launched a virtual volunteering program to motivate seniors living in long-term care homes!