Vanessa Karayiannis | Biomedical Engineering

“Try to enjoy the college experience as much as possible. There is so much more to college than just coursework. Try to find something that interests you outside of school – it will make college so much more fulfilling.” –Vanessa Karayiannis

Vanessa Karayiannis is a biomedical engineering (BME) major and Honors College member. As a member of  Rutgers’ Division I women’s rowing team, she has been a two-time Big 10 Champion and one-time participant in the NCAA championships. She is also on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee Executive Board and a RFund Student Athlete Ambassador, helping to provide donor funding for student athletes to compete at a high level. As a volunteer for Saturdays in Motion, the nation’s longest-running non-public recreational program for children with autism, she supervises play and guides them on gym equipment.

Why Rutgers?

Rutgers was the perfect fit for me –I’m so happy and proud to have chosen it. Coming out of high school, I knew that I wanted to stay closer to home and study engineering. I was also being recruited to row at the Division I level and wanted to find a team that also had a strong academic focus.

What do you like best about our BME major?

BME is such a welcoming community, and I’ve loved every part of my major. All of the professors are so passionate about their work and the field and have inspiring research backgrounds.

Initially, I switched to BME from chemical engineering because it better aligned with my interests in exercise, physiology, medicine, and biomechanics, but I’ve learned just how broad BME is and what amazing career opportunities there are.

Have you had any internships or been involved in any special projects?

I’ve been involved in both. This past summer, I was a quality engineering department intern at MTF Biologics, which uses tissue allografts from human donations to heal and save lives. It was a great experience that gave me a different perspective on what an engineering degree can be used for.

At Rutgers, I’ve been involved in a two-year research project with Dr. Biju Parekkadan’s lab to model gum tissue and its inflammatory response in the presence of gingivitis with in vitro models. Though focused on gingival tissue, the model could be translated to study the effects of inflammation on many other body parts.

What surprised you the most about Rutgers Engineering?

What surprised me the most was how much I have enjoyed the courses I’ve taken. When I switched from CBE to BME I had no idea just how interesting courses on drug delivery, global health, and tissue engineering could be.

What will you miss the most?

I think I will miss my friends and the community that I’ve built here at Rutgers most, both in the engineering and athletic worlds.

What are your post-graduate plans?

I will be attending Boston University to pursue a master’s degree in biomedical engineering. I’m very excited to continue my education and really expand upon my current experiences in terms of lab and coursework.

What would you tell future students?

Don’t put too much pressure on choosing the right discipline on the first try. Focus on finding where you fit in and don’t be afraid to switch if you feel like it’s not a perfect fit. Also, I would say to try to enjoy the college experience as much as possible. Try to find something that interests you outside of school – it will make college so much more fulfilling.

What three words best describe your SoE experience?

Gratifying. Improvement. Accomplished.