Posted on May 13, 2024 by Storm Goodman
Athena Santi, UTSA Biomedical Engineering 2024
Athena Santi is graduating with a degree in Biomedical Engineering and during her time as a student, she managed to create a lasting, supportive community. Coming into UTSA, Athena had already decided that she wanted to pursue a career in medicine so that she could help others, but she was surprised at just how tight-knit the biomedicine community was at UTSA. She became involved in many different projects and groups, and quickly formed lasting relationships and bonds that contributed to her success. Read the full Q&A with Athena to learn about her journey and what her advice is for future Roadrunners.
What made you decide to attend UTSA?
There were many reasons why I decided to attend UTSA. UTSA has always been close to home, and I grew up seeing many students commute in and out of campus, not to mention it was my mother’s alma mater. I also knew that UTSA had a close-knit and thriving community culture where students and faculty supported each other. However, the main reason why I chose UTSA was because of their biomedical engineering major. UTSA offers an extensive and well-developed program that allows future biomedical engineers to learn skills in all areas, from biomechanics to cell engineering.
When did you figure out what you wanted to study in college?
I had always known that I wanted to pursue a career relating to medicine, as I sought to help those in need. During my senior year of high school, as I researched the majors that UTSA offers, I fell in love with the biomedical engineering program. It combined my passion for medicine and creating devices or treatments to help those in need. As I researched more about the biomedical engineering program at UTSA, I knew that this was the major I wanted to pursue. UTSA offered a unique combination of technical and professional skills that would assist in my future career.
What did you enjoy most about your experience at UTSA?
What I enjoyed most about my time at UTSA was my interactions with students and faculty. UTSA is a tight-knit community that allows faculty and students to collaborate on projects, events, and a variety of other experiences. UTSA allowed me to form close connections with my faculty, and they encouraged me to develop myself as a professional in the biomedical engineering field. Many faculty mentors in the biomedical engineering major provided me with guidance and support throughout my college career, such as Dr. Gabriela Romero Uribe. These mentors have guided and shaped my college education, pushing me to pursue experiences to develop my professional career. UTSA also allowed me to form close connections with those in my major, and these connections have enabled me to work successfully on group projects, such as at the UTSA Tech Symposium.
What have you learned, in your time at UTSA, that surprised you the most?
What I learned during my time at UTSA that surprised me the most was the experience of working on professional projects with a team. While I had worked on group projects in the past, nothing could have prepared me for the semester-long projects seen in the Medical Device Design and Senior Design courses. With these courses, we had the opportunity to learn more about the industry and have the chance to work closely with industry professionals. On top of this, we had to work closely with a select group of team members to bring an idea to fruition. This experience surprised me because it gave me valuable work experience to use in my future career. Through these courses, I developed a close relationship with my teammates and learned crucial skills that improved me as a person and a professional.
Do you have any goals or plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to continue my education in Biomedical Engineering by pursuing my doctoral degree at UTSA. I hope to continue researching nanoparticle systems for drug delivery to treat neurodegenerative diseases. My goal during my Ph.D. is to learn as much as I possibly can about the biomedical engineering field, mentor students interested in performing research at UTSA, and create treatments to help as many people as possible. I hope to present my research at various conferences and make connections with the general public.
What advice do you have for people considering the programs at UTSA?
My advice for people considering the programs at UTSA is to get involved! UTSA offers a plethora of tours, events, and showcases for new students to experience all the opportunities that UTSA has to offer. By talking to current students and faculty, new students have the opportunity to learn about what UTSA has to offer, which gives new students a chance to create a support system. During my first semester of college, I met current students who guided me through what classes I should take and who to talk to. This exchange changed my experience and allowed me to find a sense of community. After I arrived at UTSA, I was able to get involved through research labs, student organizations, and professional development events that continued to provide me with a worthwhile experience.
What is your life motto/ slogan?
My life motto is the quote, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." I truly admire this quote; it has helped motivate me throughout my college career. This quote inspires me because every one of us has the potential to make a difference, whether that be in one person's life or many. Throughout my college career, I have taken this quote to heart and sought to conduct research that I believe could make a difference, and I have known many of my peers to do the same.
— Storm Goodman
