Here at Georgia Tech, our students are more than their major. Many of our students participate in one or more of the 400 student organizations found on campus, the co-op program, the internship program, study abroad, and much more. Below are a collection of Student Profiles from undergraduate WIE Champions and scholarship winners.

Sabrina Berman

Nuclear and Radiological Engineering

Where are you from and why did you choose GT?

I’m from Saint Augustine, Florida. I chose GT because way back in high school, my IB physics class was very close since we were so small, and we promised our teacher that we would pursue STEM and better the world with our knowledge. While we don't all go to the same college, we all did end up pursuing something in the STEM field and enjoy what we learn and do.

 

How did you choose your specific major?

I chose my major because my family is from Ukraine. I also have a passion for clean energy, and I felt that there was such a stigma around nuclear energy. I wanted to bridge the gap of knowledge surrounding power plants and show that nuclear energy is a great fuel source.

 

What are you working on?

What I'm working on right now is I'm doing undergraduate research with Dr. Dewji focusing on radiopharmaceuticals and the medical application of the nuclear engineering pathway. I also am a tutor and work on that part time after my classes!

 

What do you like best about GT? What’s great about studying here?

I really like the community of women in engineering (and STEM in general) at tech, I feel very supported in pursuing my passions, especially from my friends, professors, and my sorority, kappa alpha theta! 

 

What do you hope to do in the future?

What I hope to do in the future is work on ways to develop nuclear applications in both the medical field and in daily life. Having nuclear energy powering cities for years and years in order to lessen the cost of power in homes and cars, and create a better environment for the future generations is my end goal.

Kennede Dawson

Biomedical Engineering

Where are you from and why did you choose GT?

I am from Warner Robins, a small town located south of Atlanta. From a young age, my proclivity for STEM subjects has consistently guided my academic path, and it became evident that this was the career trajectory I intended to pursue. I found inspiration in the field of STEM, particularly in the groundbreaking advancements and discoveries that have shaped our world. Following my acceptance into the institution, I made an unwavering decision to embark on my journey at Georgia Tech.

 

How did you choose your specific major?

My enduring interest in the medical field has coexisted with a paradoxical fear of blood, which prompted my exploration of alternative avenues to contribute to the healthcare domain. Biomedical engineering, in particular, has captivated me as it offers an opportunity to work behind the scenes and wield a direct influence on the sector's progress. Within my family, a recurring battle with heart ailments has left an indelible impression on my aspirations. This familial connection has catalyzed my determination to play a pivotal role in enhancing the care provided to patients with heart-related issues.

 

What are you working on?

My current focus lies in the area of clinical research. I am actively engaged in conducting research within the Emory and Grady hospital emergency departments, with an emphasis on the analysis of built environments and hospital processes. My efforts are consistently directed toward identifying opportunities for enhancements in their existing procedures. As I approach graduation, a substantial portion of my time is dedicated to the submission of job applications and the augmentation of my professional resume.

 

What do you like best about GT? What’s great about studying here?

The presence of like-minded individuals is one of the university's greatest assets. Being surrounded by fellow students who share my passion for STEM and biomedical engineering creates a supportive and collaborative ecosystem. This environment fosters creativity, encourages critical thinking, and propels us to push the boundaries of knowledge. Engaging with peers who are equally committed to their academic pursuits not only motivates me but also provides invaluable opportunities for intellectual exchange and cooperative projects.

 

What do you hope to do in the future?

In the future, I aspire to make a significant and positive impact on the healthcare industry. My ideal career path involves the opportunity to travel, which is a personal passion of mine. I believe that exploring different parts of the world not only broadens one's horizons but also allows for a more extensive impact on global healthcare.

 

As a biomedical engineer, I see numerous ways to contribute meaningfully to the field of healthcare. My vision includes the development of medical devices and technologies aimed at achieving more precise diagnostics and more effective treatments. Through dedicated research and development in the realm of cardiovascular health, my goal is to innovate solutions for patient monitoring, medication delivery, and surgical procedures. Furthermore, I aspire to collaborate with healthcare professionals and institutions to enhance the integration of advanced technologies into clinical practice, ultimately improving patient outcomes and the overall quality of care.

Jennifer Wolfe

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Where are you from and why did you choose GT?

I grew up in Hickory, North Carolina and attended the North Carolina School of Science in Mathematics in Durham; now my family lives in Hendersonville, NC in the mountains. My dad graduated from GT in Ceramics Engineering--a subset of Materials Science now, so I grew up having a lot of school spirit for GT. When it was time to apply to college in high school, I knew I was interested in Computer Science or Engineering and GT has top-ranked programs for both of those areas. From being on GT’s campus for tours and a summer program about roller coaster physics, I felt a connection and a sense of belonging and knew I had to attend. GT offered me a transfer pathway and I transferred here after my first year of college.

 

How did you choose your specific major?

When I was applying to college, I didn’t know if I wanted to major in computer science, aerospace engineering, or even physics. I was on a rocketry team in high school and thought that I wanted to work on rockets that would go to space one day. Ultimately, I chose ECE because it combines my passion for computer science and physics, while providing opportunities for hands-on projects and the flexibility to pursue a career in the aerospace industry. After completing a co-op at NASA, I decided to pivot more towards computer engineering and embedded systems within my ECE courses at GT and internship experiences. A degree in ECE at GT provides me with the flexibility to explore different areas of computers, from the physics and hardware level all of the way to the software on top.

 

What are you working on?

This semester I am taking a lot of computer engineering and computer science courses now that I have finished up the core classes for my degree. I am also working on a project with professors for a class that I used to TA for. We are collecting stories from previous students who struggled in the course, how they got through these challenges, and any advice they have for current students. This project means a lot to me because even though the classes at GT can be difficult, the professors and TAs really care about students and are there to help you. In my free time, I like to work in the different makerspaces on campus (the Hive, Invention Studio) on various projects.

 

What do you like best about GT? What’s great about studying here?

My favorite part about GT is the community. I have met so many amazing people through my classes, but especially so during my study abroad semester. I started at GT during fall 2020 when all classes were online, and left to start my co-op at NASA during Spring 2021. My first in-person classes at GT were during Spring 2022 when I studied abroad at GT-Europe. It was a wonderful experience to meet people in my classes and then travel with them on the weekends. I have also been able to meet a lot of people through Women in Electrical and Computer Engineering (WECE). It’s nice to meet lots of different people and hear about all of the projects they are working on or just talk about life. Another thing I love about GT is the school spirit and traditions: GT is full of them. From seeing the Wreck drive around campus to singing fight songs at football games, it’s fun to be a Yellow Jacket!

 

What do you hope to do in the future?

Georgia Tech has exposed me to a lot of different areas of engineering. I’m thinking about pursuing the Online Master of Computer Science program through GT after I graduate. I interned at Apple last summer at their headquarters in Cupertino, CA and would love to return full time. It’s important to me that the work I do will have an impact on other people and I really love emerging technologies. Farther down the road, I could see myself moving into project management and getting an MBA. No matter where I end up though, I know I will be well prepared thanks to my time at Georgia Tech.

Charlotte Hettrich

Industrial & Systems Engineering

Where are you from and why did you choose GT?

I am from Marietta, Georgia. Georgia Tech has always been my dream school! When I toured the campus my senior-year of high school, I attended an information session in the ISYE building, and truly fell in love with the program. I chose Georgia Tech because the Industrial Engineering program has been the best in the country for almost 30 years, and it is close to my hometown.

 

How did you choose your specific major?

In high school I was in many clubs and reorganized processes to make them more efficient. Additionally, I have always paid attention to details. When I took an aptitude test, Industrial Engineering was number 1 for me, so I chose it! Looking back, striving for efficiency, and attention to detail are both telltale signs of a future Industrial Engineer.

 

What are you working on?

On top of Industrial Engineering, I am doing a minor in Computer Science. I was in a VIP Automated Algorithm Design for two semesters. In that VIP I learned about Genetic Programming within Machine Learning. I worked on the Scoliosis Team which had a real project from Shriners Hospital for Children. Our goal was to create a neural network model that would take in an x-ray image of a spine and spit out a Cobb angle to help doctors diagnose children with scoliosis more accurately and faster in Microsoft Azure. I finished an internship at Qorvo over Summer 2023 and created Tableau data analytics reports for various departments resulting in increased manufacturing yield, reduction of waste, increased efficiency, and increased tool capacity. I loved my internship so much that I will be returning Summer 2024 for another internship and hope to start my career there! Other than my research and work, I am the Ambassador for CHAARG which is a women’s empowerment and workout group on campus. I ensure the chapter is running smoothly, run executive meetings, and support women. I loved being involved in CHAARG and wanted to give back to other girls to help them on their wellness journeys!

 

What do you like best about GT? What’s great about studying here?

My favorite thing about GT is the friends I have made! Everyone is very supportive and have no problem helping you with assignments or projects. GT offers a lot of study abroad options that I took advantage of and loved the entire experience at Georgia Tech Lorraine. The coursework at GT is rigorous but provides students with many options for interning and co-oping because of the rigor. On top of that, this school is very diverse, and everyone has a story. I have enjoyed learning other students and faculty’s stories throughout my college experience.

 

What do you hope to do in the future?

My goal is to build a career in semiconductor manufacturing! I want to make meaningful decisions on technology of the future. Someday I hope to end up in management.

Katie Cauffiel

Materials Science and Engineering

Where are you from and why did you choose GT? 

I’m from Kennesaw, GA. I choose GT because it is an excellent engineering school, and I knew I would be well prepared for industry. The location of GT being close to home was comforting especially when I was enrolling in August 2020 (COVID!) and the in-state tuition/Zell Miller made GT a good financial and educational decision. 

 

How did you choose your specific major? 

I originally started in chemical engineering, but I decided to switch majors because I wanted a more research-oriented career path. Materials science is sparks my curiosity because you can work on a wide variety of applications from airplanes to shampoo bottles. I also love that I can blend materials science and computer science.  

 

What are you working on? 

I am currently doing undergrad research focused on developing a technique to tailor the assembly of cellulose nanocrystals through nucleic acid functionalization for optoelectronic devices in Dr. Vladimir Tsukruk’s lab. While at Tech, I have done three summer internships including Birla Carbon, P&G, and L3Harris. Both undergraduate research and industry internships have helped me gain real-world skills and understand the application of my coursework.  

 

What do you like best about GT? What’s great about studying here? 

I like that GT opens lots of doors for you and prepares you for whatever your next step may be. I appreciate that I have grown through my time at Tech and developed in how I think and solve problems. 

 

What do you hope to do in the future? 

I am currently applying to PhD programs for Materials Science & Engineering. I am hoping to do experimental and computational research. After grad school,  I have the desire to work in research & development within industry!

Caroline Delcroix

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Where are you from and why did you choose GT?

I am from Silver Spring, Maryland. I transferred to Georgia Tech from Agnes Scott College to pursue engineering. I took an GT environmental engineering course while at Agnes Scott to test the waters, and I loved the content of the class. I also loved the collaborative energy I saw at the library when I visited Tech to study. It really felt like everyone here was trying to help each other, and that drew me in.

How did you choose your specific major?

I was drawn to engineering because I have strengths in math and physics, and a love for problem solving. I chose environmental engineering because I care a lot about issues like environmental justice, health disparities, and access to resources. I think civil and environmental engineers have the power to significantly improve quality of life, and that's something I want to be a part of.

What are you working on?

I am doing research with Dr. Amekudzi-Kennedy’s Infrastructure Research Group. We are trying to quantify the accessibility and resilience of transportation infrastructure, and to maximize investments in sustainability and resilience. I am also a part of the ASCE Sustainable Solutions team, which incorporates ENVISION standards to inform our redevelopment plans for a city that faces severe climate risks. 

What do you like best about GT? What’s great about studying here?

There is always something going on at GT! There are so many academic clubs that have taught me about career opportunities and brought me closer to people in my field. There are also tons of fun social clubs that put on amazing events.

What do you hope to do in the future?

I want to help protect communities from environmental hazards, and implement more sustainable and equitable infrastructure. 

Ayesha Rahman

Ayesha Rahman
Civil and Environmental Engineering

Where are you from and why did you choose GT? 

I was born in Bangladesh, then moved to New Jersey when I was 10 and pretty much stayed there my whole life until I transferred to GT summer of 2021. When I was at Rowan University I always felt like I didn’t belong surrounded by people who were so different from me, a huge inspiration comes from my brother as well. When he used to call me and tell me how much he enjoyed life in Atlanta and felt a sense of belonging. Then I toured the school and saw so many women like me, I knew I would belong. Also GT was ranked highly for Environmental Engineering, logistically also made sense.

How did you choose your specific major?

There’s two major reasons why I was interested in Environmental Engineering. When growing up in Bangladesh and surrounded by poverty, air and water pollution was hard when growing up, and nowadays hearing the health effects it has on my grandparents is also disheartening. Later, in high school I went to a water wastage company for an AP Environmental field trip, and while all my classmates were disgusted by the odor, I was inspired by the work the company did, cleaning out dirty water and pumping it back into the Delaware. When I committed to Rowan University I studied Computer Science because I took a couple computer science courses in high school and had a summer with Girls Who Code, so it just made the most sense to keep on doing what I knew rather than changing my mind. I was very unhappy with my computer science courses and found no real interest. When I applied to GT I switched my major, I wanted to try something I had a passion for.

What are you working on?

This summer I will be working with John Deere in Horicon, Wisconsin. I will be the environmental engineering intern developing power BI, will also assist with air, water, and waste emission tracking modules.

What do you like best about GT? What’s great about studying here?

My favorite thing about GT is being surrounded by hard working and passionate students. The great thing about GT is always having my AXO sisters there as a support system, school is very hard and having a support system is so important with being so far away from jersey. Whenever I’m struggling I know I can ask my sisters for help, or study and struggle together so it makes it bearable.

What do you hope to do in the future?

I want to go back to Bangladesh and help with the tools I receive to clean air or water. I grew up in such a loving country with so much culture, I hope to go back and give back to the country who gave me my identity.

Clarisse Matyczyk

Aerospace Engineering

Where are you from and why did you choose GT?

I am from Buford, Georgia. I chose Georgia Tech because it has one of the best undergraduate Aerospace Engineering programs in the country as well as being an in-state institution. When I toured my senior year of high school, my tour guide told me that he was working on a satellite that would be launched into space, and it made me excited that a university allowed their undergraduate students opportunities like that.

How did you choose your specific major?

I chose Aerospace Engineering because I had a fascination with space ever since middle school. After taking engineering classes in high school, I decided on major in Aerospace Engineering because I really enjoyed designing and building projects.

What are you working on (projects, internships, etc.)?

I am an undergraduate research assistant in the Ben T. Zinn Combustion Lab. I am working on the Turbulent Flame Speed project where we essentially study the physics of fast, wiggly flames of different green fuel mixtures to help work towards more environmentally friendly energy production. I also just finished my term as 2021 Vice President of Alpha Omega Epsilon, a sorority whose mission is to support women in STEM. As VP, I was in charge of the sorority's professional development and planned our professional events. I was able to give back to the sisterhood which helped me navigate the professional world whether it was helping me through my co-op, navigating the full-time job search, or just supporting me through difficult academic times.

What do you like best about GT? What’s great about studying here?

My favorite thing about Georgia Tech has been the friends I have made and people I have met who are associated with the Institute. Everyone has their own unique interests and passions, but we all share the same love of STEM and support each other through our endeavors. There are so many ways to get involved at Georgia Tech where I have been able to meet people of many backgrounds. I would not be here academically or professionally without the students and alumni I have met.

What do you hope to do in the future?

My goal is to build a career in the space industry to achieve my dream of having something I have worked on launch into space, whether it be the rocket itself or a spacecraft payload onboard.