Engineering solutions
A third-generation Red Raider, Samantha was encouraged by her dad to look into biomedical engineering, and when she did, she was hooked. She enrolled in Northwestern's 3+2 dual-degree program for engineering—earning a B.A. in biology-health professions and mathematics from Northwestern and a B.S. and M.S. in biomedical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis (WashU). During her three years at NWC, Samantha belonged to Northwestern’s golf team, tutored both math and science students in the Peer Learning Center, served as an admissions ambassador, and played snare drum in the Red Raider Athletic Band.
What are some of the key tasks of your job?
I work with electrophysiologists (specialized cardiologists) during cardiac ablation procedures to treat cardiac arrhythmias. During the procedure, I am in the control room just off the operating room creating a 3D electroanatomical map of the patient’s heart, which helps the electrophysiologist visualize the catheters used to diagnose and treat the arrhythmia.
Why did you choose Northwestern?
Attending Northwestern is a great legacy in my family, as my dad, his siblings and his parents are all Raiders. While this played a key role in my decision to attend, I also chose Northwestern because of the high academic standards and commitment to integrating faith with learning. Receiving a fantastic education while growing in my faith and love for God meant so much to me.
How did you decide to pursue a career in biomedical engineering?
Math and science have always been my favorite subjects in school, but for the longest time, I didn’t know what I wanted to major in. My dad, a chemical engineer, encouraged me to learn about biomedical engineering. I found that biomedical engineering is a great combination of both math and science, and I discovered how much I’ll be able to help people through a career in this field.
You’ve already made strides in using your degree to help others, winning first place in Rice University’s 360 Global Health Technologies Design Competition. Tell us about your project and how you hope to make an impact.
Two other WashU students and I designed a pair of bike shorts that functions as a discrete urine collection system. The device is intended for use by women who develop vesicovaginal fistulas and experience incontinence due to limited maternal and emergency health care. Wearing the device, women can perform everyday tasks again and reintegrate into their communities.
My teammates and I plan to perform clinical trials at Terrewode Women’s Community Hospital, a dedicated fistula hospital in Uganda. Once trials are complete, we’ll work with Terrewode to distribute the bike shorts to women in need.
How would you describe NWC professors?
The Northwestern faculty I’ve been privileged to learn from and get to know have blessed me greatly. First, they love their fields of study! That makes learning from them very desirable. But Northwestern professors aren’t here just to teach biology, calculus, physics or organic chemistry—they’re here to build relationships with students and walk alongside them in their faith. I probably learned as much or more about who God is and how much he loves me from my professors as I have learned about the subject matter.
How did your faith grow during your college years?
While Northwestern will give you the opportunity to think and talk about your faith, WashU provides the opportunity to put into practice the things you believe. The first night I hung out with classmates at WashU, I gave someone a ride home. I had Christian music playing in my car, and he asked about it—which gave me the opportunity to share about my faith. That hadn’t happened to me before, and I will never forget it.
