Sarah Wonboon Acolatse

Sarah Wonboon Acolatse

Favorite Course 20 subject(s) and why?

20.109– Laboratory Fundamentals in Biological Engineering, because it taught me the fundamental wetlab skills and assays in BioE I know I will continue to use moving forwards.

What will you miss most about being an undergraduate at MIT?

The students clubs like Black Women Alliance and Mocha Moves, the MISTI and GTL program, and my fellow peers.

Where will you be next year?

I will be at the University of Pennsylvania pursuing a PhD in Bioengineering.

Who deserves a shout-out for inspiring/helping you to get to this point, and why?

Emily Han: She has been my roommate since freshmen year and has helped me navigate MIT both academically and socially. She literally introduced the major course 20 to me my freshmen year, helped me course road my life, and encouraged me to join clubs like adt. Literally such an amazing person, can’t wait to be her roommate for the next X years lol.

Lainie Beauchemin

Lainie Beauchemin

Favorite Course 20 subject(s) and why?

20.309 – Instrumentation and Measurement for Biological Systems. I was amazed at how well the staff came together to create such an effective learning experience during the middle of a pandemic. I amazed myself with the amount of complex material I was able to learn during my 20.309 experience, from filters to Fourier analysis to optics to image processing, without ever leaving my house. The staff were seemingly available at all hours of the day and somehow crafted a hands-on, creative, fulfilling experience during one of the most challenging academic semesters of my life.

What will you miss most about being an undergraduate at MIT?

I’ll miss the community the most I think – I’m so blessed to have met so many inspiring, passionate people here and I hope to carry that infectious energy through the rest of my career. I’ll miss sitting in lecture, awed by the work done by my scientific predecessors and feeling like part of a multi-generational community of scientists and engineers who have all had a part in saving lives and bettering the world.

Where will you be next year?

I’ll be in Milan, Italy doing Biotech investing before applying to graduate school (probably on the west coast)!

Who deserves a shout-out for inspiring/helping you to get to this point, and why?

So many people, but mostly my incredible parents for their constant support throughout the years, and for never letting me forget how proud they are of me and how proud I should be of myself.

Kylie Gallagher

Kylie Gallagher

Favorite Course 20 subject(s) and why?

20.380–Biological Engineering Design. This capstone class was just a great way to spend a lot of time with your classmates and really bringing together all of the things you learned throughout your time. Also the staff is great and snack time was always a great time.

What will you miss most about being an undergraduate at MIT?

I am going to miss being surrounded by so many interesting and passionate students. With that I will also miss all the fun events happening on campus, especially the free food. Even with all the work, the people made the atmosphere a great place to study while also having some fun.

Where will you be next year?

I will be in Seattle, Washington starting my PhD in bioengineering at the University of Washington.

Who deserves a shout-out for inspiring/helping you to get to this point, and why?

I was on the women’s basketball team and they all deserve a shout-out. Being on the basketball team was the best part about MIT and a huge part of that was the people I met. The team was my second family and we all supported each other along the way. I would not have been able to be where I am without the basketball community.

Jenny Gao Photo

Jenny Gao

Favorite Course 20 subject(s) and why?

20.309–Instrumentation and Measurement for Biological Systems and 20.109–Laboratory Fundamentals in Biological Engineering, I really loved both lab classes because it was super cool to get real hands-on experience (even though I ended up taking both in somewhat virtualized versions). The comm skills I got from 109 is one of the most useful things I learned during my time here, and the staff for 309 is amazing, so much so that I joined the teaching staff as a TA even in my last semester.

What will you miss most about being an undergraduate at MIT?

The MIT community! It is such an inspiring environment to be in when everyone around you is wDefinitely the people, my friends and classmates kept me sane and functional at MIT. Whether it’s clowning around to destress or late night walks or grabbing a meal to chat about the past/future, the people here are some of the most supportive, inspirational, and downright awesome human beans I’ve been lucky enough to meet.

Where will you be next year?

An Amtrak ride away in NYC starting my PhD at Columbia University in the biomedical engineering program.

Who deserves a shout-out for inspiring/helping you to get to this point, and why?

Honestly so many people as I like to consider myself an amalgamation of everyone in my life. My parents for sure for being steadfast pillars of encouragement and understanding. My friends for reminding me to have fun and giving me all sorts of perspective, and hauling me through my psets. My mentors for answering all my dumb questions about the future.

Hannah Harens Photo

Hannah Harens

Favorite Course 20 subject(s) and why?

20.309–Instrumentation and Measurement for Biological Systems. I took 309 the first fully virtual semester (Fall ’20) and despite not having the full in-person experience, I was so impressed with how interactive, approachable, and exciting the instructors made the content. Beyond that, I learned about topics that were very different than any other course I have taken at MIT and the instructors were incredibly supportive throughout the semester.

What will you miss most about being an undergraduate at MIT?

The MIT community! It is such an inspiring environment to be in when everyone around you is working so hard toward their goals, both inside and outside of the classroom, and I’m constantly pushed to do my best and improve myself. I enjoy learning about the many diverse interests of my peers, their backgrounds, and how that has shaped where they are now and their plans for the future. MIT has allowed me to pursue my passions for science/engineering and competitive clay target shooting at the highest level, an opportunity I will forever be grateful for.

Where will you be next year?

I will be just across the river, beginning my PhD in Bioengineering at Northeastern University!

Who deserves a shout-out for inspiring/helping you to get to this point, and why?

First and foremost, my family and my friends that are basically my family. They have supported me endlessly and helped me realize that the dream I formulated when I was 8 years old to attend MIT could be a reality. Also, a special shoutout to my coaches and my shooting family for helping me find my home in the shooting sports, always being there for me, and helping me find the balance to advance my education, grow MIT Sporting Clays Association, train, and compete across the country.

Nicole Haseley

Nicole Haseley

Favorite Course 20 subject(s) and why?

20.309–Instrumentation and Measurement for Biological Systems. Taking this class during Fall ‘20 remotely was a really great experience. Being able to forget about covid for a bit, put my headphones on, and learn about microscopy, optics,
feedback systems, and circuits for hours made me feel like a real engineer. Thank you to the talented and friendly teaching staff there for making these topics so digestible and enjoyable.

What will you miss most about being an undergraduate at MIT?

I’ll miss the shared enthusiasm with which everyone approaches their research, hobbies, and friendships. Life here is never boring!

Where will you be next year?

I will be at Stanford working in the Brunet Lab, studying mechanisms of aging in C. elegans!

Who deserves a shout-out for inspiring/helping you to get to this point, and why?

I couldn’t have gotten anywhere without my mentors in research (thank you Lourido Lab!) and in the classroom. Thank you all for always fielding my questions and introducing me to intriguing new puzzles in biology every day.

Michael Mandanas Headshot

Michael Vincent Mandanas

Favorite Course 20 subject(s) and why?

I really loved 20.309–Instrumentation and Measurement for Biological Systems, even virtually! It was so fun getting to tinker with circuits!

What will you miss most about being an undergraduate at MIT?

I’ll miss the community! I love all my classmates and I don’t know who I’ll turn to when I have questions about classes next year!

Where will you be next year?

Harvard Immunology PhD Program

Who deserves a shout-out for inspiring/helping you to get to this point, and why?

Shout-out to my academic advisor, Dr. Lauffenburger, and my PI, Dr. Birnbaum, for helping me get to where I am today!