Major: Biomedical Engineering
Class: 2011
Name: Stefanie Gonzalez
Home town: Milwaukee, WI
Major: Biomedical Engineering with a Chemistry Minor
Graduating in: 2011
Type of scholarship: Academic Scholarship from MSOE, Harry and Paul Franke Scholar, Amanda Peron Scholarship
Favorite personality trait: Humility
Favorite food: Have yet to discover...
Favorite band\type of music: Spanish Rock\Mana
Favorite store\place to shop: H&M
Job: During the summer of 2008, I was an intern at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Johnson Space Center (JSC). In the summer of 2009 I worked in the Department of Chemical and Bimolecular Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, where I learned the fabrication process of micro/nano structures and developed experiments to pattern cells on these structures. This fall I also worked at the VA Memorial Hospital in the Department of Neuroscience, where I assisted with research that is conducted to understand the biomechanics involved in blunt trauma incurred on the brain and spinal cord.
What was your favorite class?
I loved any class where I was able to learn how engineering principles can be used to improve the quality of life of others.
What have you liked most about your MSOE experience?
I liked all the opportunities that are offered to MSOE students. Employers nationwide are aware of the education that MSOE has to offer because the MSOE staff works hard at ensuring that the students have all the necessary tools to be successful.
Beyond academics, what have you learned at MSOE?
I have learned that you can apply engineering principles in your every day life. Participating in hands on activities helps one become a problem solver and those traits carry on to every aspect of one's life.
What were you involved in outside of school? How do you spend your free time?
I led a group of interns at JSC to design and implement a system that demonstrates the basic principles of magnetism. This experiment was tested in varying gravitational forces on a NASA aircraft Boeing 727. I was also actively involved with the community and various on-campus societies. I was the president of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, an active member of the Biomedical Engineering Society, and also actively involved with Healthcare without Borders. However, when I do have free time I love to dance! Spanish music is my favorite!
What's your favorite memory at MSOE?
A favorite memory at MSOE was being able to attend a national conference for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers in Philadelphia, PA.
Do you have advice for students considering MSOE?
MSOE is a very challenging school so it is important to be dedicated and self-motivated in order to experience all that MSOE has to offer.
How and why did you choose MSOE? Are you happy with your decision?
There are various reasons why I chose MSOE but the determining factors were the academic reputation, job placement rates and small classroom sizes. What attracted me to the specific program that I'm in is that students are trained in the six different aspects of Biomedical Engineering while participating in interactive labs.
What did you do as part of your internship at NASA?
For my internship I worked with nuclear scientists that study the effects of space radiation on the human body. As part of my internship I analyzed the recorded radiation exposure rates for astronauts and correlated the variation to improved methods of calculation, technological advances and improvements in modeling capabilities. Another responsibility included assisting with the composition of a scientific journal that will be submitted to the Aerospace Medical Association.