As the Spring 2024 semester winds down, we take a moment to celebrate some of our exceptional students in the Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering (EBE).
Couby Ouattara '24
Major: Electrical Engineering
Concentration: UG Cert: Semiconductor Engineering
Hometown: Colchester, VT
Extracurricular activities while at ¶¶Òõ̽̽: National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and Teaching Assistant for the Electrical Engineering Department
What you enjoyed about ¶¶Òõ̽̽: As a Senior at ¶¶Òõ̽̽, I've enjoyed many aspects of my experience, but what truly stands out is the exceptional support and dedication shown by ¶¶Òõ̽̽’s Electrical Engineering faculty. Throughout my time here, the EE faculty members have been incredibly supportive, offering valuable guidance and mentorship both inside and outside the classroom. They don't just stick to the curriculum; they actively engage with students' learning journeys and career aspirations. Whether it's through office hours, research opportunities, or networking events, the EE faculty at ¶¶Òõ̽̽ create an environment that encourages students to excel and reach their full potential. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to have been an EE student at ¶¶Òõ̽̽.
Senior project: My Senior project is working with another EE student and a Mechanical Engineering student to design both a tilt sensor and a temperature sensor for solar farms that measure the temperature of the PV panel and the actual tilt angle from vertical. Our client is NRG Systems, a company that specializes in developing innovative products for the wind, solar, and meteorological industries with a focus on sustainability and global impact.
Post-graduation plans: I've recently accepted an offer from GlobalFoundries to work as an equipment engineer. After graduation, I'll be working for them and considering pursuing my master's degree part-time.
Abbey Knobel '24
Major: Double Major in Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science
Hometown: Nanuet, NY
Extracurricular activities while at ¶¶Òõ̽̽: ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Women’s Varsity Soccer Team, Undergraduate Research in the Glass Brain Lab, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society, Society of Women in Computer Science, Linking Engineering to Life (Volunteer program), and Teaching Assistant for biochemistry
What you enjoyed about ¶¶Òõ̽̽: During my time at ¶¶Òõ̽̽ I enjoyed getting to work with the faculty in the biomedical engineering and computer science departments. Being a student athlete can be daunting, but the professors in both departments were incredibly supportive and understanding. At ¶¶Òõ̽̽, particularly in the biomedical engineering department, undergraduate students are encouraged to participate in research. I enjoyed doing research and getting to learn from all the students and professors in the Glass Brain Lab.
Senior project: For my senior project, I looked at the ability of natural language processing tools developed by professors at ¶¶Òõ̽̽ to predict patient fear during therapy sessions. The overall goal of this project was to determine if natural language processing could be used in a clinical setting to improve mental health treatment.
Post-graduation plans: After graduation, I will be working for Medtronic’s Cardiac Rhythm Management Unit as an Associate Clinical Specialist in Boston. My primary function will be educating and supporting physicians and nurses during cardiac device implants and ensuring devices are functioning properly post-implant.
Adam Zuchowski '24
Major: Biomedical Engineering; minors in Computer Science, Pure Mathematics
Hometown: Williston, VT
Extracurricular activities while at ¶¶Òõ̽̽: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), Engineers Without Borders (EWB), ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Club Fencing Team, Honors College Peer Mentor, Research Assistant in the Majumdar Lab.
What you enjoyed about ¶¶Òõ̽̽: While here at ¶¶Òõ̽̽, I have enjoyed many different opportunities to be involved with hands-on experiences in the engineering program. This has ranged from my capstone project to building an electrocardiogram or using a 3D bioprinter. These opportunities have really helped me explore my field and determine what I am interested in and have helped me to develop skills for my work in research settings and graduate school.
Senior project: Our biomedical engineering capstone project was to design a bioreactor for cardiac slice tissue samples. Our client researches heart disease, and studies the impact of drug administration on patient heart samples. He needed to develop a tool for delivering nutrients, oxygen, and electrical stimulation to heart muscle samples.
Post-graduation plans: After graduation I will be pursuing a PhD in Bioengineering at Cornell University.
Molly Ramirez '24
Major: B.S. Electrical Engineering
Hometown: Nesconset, New York
Extracurricular activities while at ¶¶Òõ̽̽: ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Army ROTC, Mountaineering Club, Nonet Jazz Band
What you enjoyed about ¶¶Òõ̽̽: I enjoyed the culture of ¶¶Òõ̽̽’s emphasis on finding balance between your work and doing things you enjoy. At ¶¶Òõ̽̽ I feel encouraged to work hard but also to take time for myself and spend time exploring hobbies like hiking, skiing, or just relaxing.
Senior project: Apple Storage Atmosphere Controller for Vermont Refrigerated Systems
Post-graduation plans (grad school/job): In May I will commission into the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Aviation branch. I will then attend the Basic Officer Leader Course and U.S. Army flight school, training to become a helicopter pilot.
Anything else you would like to share: I think it’s important to really explore while you’re in college to find what you’re genuinely interested in. Yes, things will be hard and a lot of good things come from challenging work; but recognize the difference between hard work that you’re passionate about and work that you dread. And then take time away from work to go outside, be with friends, and enjoy Vermont.