Husky 100

During my time as a Husky, I have engaged in a diverse set of opportunities that have allowed me to grow as a leader, researcher and global contributor. From research in multiple areas such as biofuels and nanomaterials, to work in global development, my experiences have facilitated the growth of my skills and goals while also allowing me to make an impact. Using the knowledge I have gained in my time at UW, I hope to continue the pursuit of developing solutions to meet global needs.

Throughout my Husky Experience, I have learned that as a designer I have the power to actively listen to marginalized communities so that I can better design a society fit for all of us. I’ve learned this through various experiences like studying abroad in Japan, interning at the Institute of Learning and Brain Sciences, facilitating an outreach ASB program with HCDE and volunteering at ROOTS.

As a Black woman who is a first-generation college student and the daughter of Ethiopian immigrants, the UW has provided me with the experiences and skills I need to realize that I want to use my engineering degree to increase STEM exposure and education in underserved communities. According to most of the world, I should not be here. And that’s exactly why I have to be.

Throughout my Husky Experience, I have sought opportunities to empower people with all levels of mobility. This includes researching to develop and evaluate assistive devices, working in teams to tackle unmet clinical needs and helping establish HuskyADAPT, a student organization dedicated to improving and advocating for accessibility. As a 2018 graduate, I aspire to use my technical background and leadership experience to help advance healthcare technology.

As a child in Ethiopia who walked miles to school each day, I developed a resilient mindset. At UW, my life changed overnight. Support from peers, professors and advisors enables me to learn and pursue my dreams. My Husky Experience helps me integrate and build on my passions and stay positive in the face of adversity. I continuously connect and apply skills that I learn to the outside world. As a bioengineer, I hope to improve the health and well-being of the world’s most vulnerable populations.

Since my first day at the UW, I have taken advantage of the Husky Experience and the rich opportunities it offers for growth in leadership and engineering skills. My dedication to personal growth has led me to be a student engineer at the Kirsten Wind Tunnel and the chief engineer for the Society for Advanced Rocket Propulsion. I have been passionate about space exploration since I was very young, and hope I can be an inspiration to other young women pursuing careers in engineering.

I have spent my time at UW fostering a passion for research, engineering, and teaching. As president of the 3D printing club and the swing dancing club, I have had the opportunity to connect with diverse communities and provide them with a space to learn in creative and inclusive environments. My Husky Experience has taught me how to practice optimism in the face of the unknown and give my communities the tools they need to achieve their goals.

From volunteering at the Intensive Care Unit to co-authoring a publication on the design of multimedia platforms, I am passionate about the intersection of engineering, design and health. Currently, I am merging my interests by designing and building a transfer device for individuals with disabilities, using technology and design to empower people and encourage inclusion. I am incredibly thankful for my UW experience and look forward to many more opportunities to grow during my time here.

In the HCDE Department, I have enjoyed working as a lead course assistant and have helped shape the course towards an emphasis on mentoring and inclusivity. My personal research is on using virtual reality technology to facilitate compassion across differing identities as a proactive approach to social equity.

I have dedicated my time as a Husky to push myself beyond what I ever thought possible. I have completed three internships with Boeing and PepsiCo, fundraised $1,500 for Syrian refugee children, held two officer positions for the UW IISE Student Chapter and spearheaded my department’s first ever mentorship program. I am currently helping a startup build their manufacturing business framework. Common to all my endeavors is my passion for leaving what I touch better than what it was before.

Through my involvement with the UW Engineers Without Borders chapter and undergraduate research at the Autonomous Flight System Laboratory, I have been able to pursue my interest in sustainable engineering and work toward my long-term goal of developing humanitarian applications of unmanned aerial vehicles that reach underserved communities. My time here has helped me realize that I am most fulfilled when I am constantly learning and working to make an impact on the world around me.

My outreach initiatives as part as UW’s Biomedical Undergrad Engineering Society, research on early diagnostics in The Seelig Lab for Synthetic Biology and mentorship as part of Phi Sigma Rho Engineering Sorority have truly impacted my UW experience. In the past four years, I have been so grateful for the rich bioengineering community I have developed, proud of the hardships I have overcome and am inspired and excited for my future adventures next year!