Meet the Board Members

Nathaniel Bloodworth, , nbloodworth [at] gatech [dot] edu
	Where are you from? Warner Robbins, GA Why did you join the board? I am naturally curious and have an interest in understanding the way things function, from cellular mechanics to academic bureaucracies, as understanding how things work is the first step in identifying problems and subsequently fixing them. I joined the board to do just that - analyze the workings and mechanisms behind the BME program at Georgia Tech, identify areas of improvement, and work with faculty, staff, students, and fellow board members to reach a satisfactory solution for the good of current and future students, as ultimately we are the ones for whom this program was instituted. Any plans when you 'get out'? I plan to pursue a career in medical research, via either a PhD or an MD/PhD. Activities? Research? PHYS 2211 TA (not anymore, though), CS 1371 TA and undergraduate research in Dr. Mostafa El-Sayed's lab, investigating new and novel cancer diagnostics and therapeutics utilizing gold nanoparticles, and more recently research in Dr. Temenoff's lab, working to optimize the properties of a chondroitin sulfate hydrogel so as to ultimately study the interactions of tissue interfaces and its applications in regenerative medicine. I am also working on writing a case report with pediatric neurosurgeons at Emory and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta as of Summer 2009. Dislikes? Really none worth mentioning - I'm pretty tolerant of most things and fairly easy to get along with. One thing that does annoy me is when multiple people at my table at a restaurant order the same thing. I don't really understand why though. Which also bothers me. Nonschool Activities? Reading, camping (and all activities associated with), most activities involving music, cooking, snow skiing, etc.
Christa Caesar, Senior, ccaesar3 [at] gatech [dot] edu
	Where are you from? Kennesaw, Georgia, but I've lived most of my life in India and Dubai (UAE) Why did you join the board? fter my very first BME class I was so intrigued by my major, the motivation of my fellow BME mates, and the dedication of my professors that I knew I had to get involved to make our community an even better place. Being a part of the Board allows me to act as an objective liason between the administration and the student body - and this is precisely why I joined. Any plans when you 'get out'? Higher studies or Med school. But come what may, I hope to enjoy and cherish every passing day. Activities? Research? GT Chorale, Student Staff Member (RA) - Department of Housing , and CardioVascular Tissue Engineering Research - making artificial blood vessels. Dislikes? Rain, cold, gloomy days, a loose tongue, negativism, gossip, and white chocolate. Nonschool Activities? Traveling, baking and cooking, listening to beautiful music, spending time with family and friends.
Rafeed Chaudhury, Senior, rafeed [at] gatech [dot] edu
	Where are you from? Originally from Bangladesh, but I moved to the US when I was a year and a half old and have lived all over, but I went to middle school and high school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Why did you join the board? I found that there's a lot of things that could make the BME department even better. I wanted to help students voice their opinions and help them with any concerns they might have about the BME department. The only way to make the program better is to voice the opinions that need to be heard. Any plans when you 'get out'? Get rich or die trying. Seriously though, take life as it comes. I'll more than likely go to graduate school and get my PhD. Activities? Research? I'm president of GT BMES. I am an RA at the Eighth Street Apartments. I do cardiovascular tissue engineering research working with artificial blood vessel constructs. I save lives every day. What do you do? Dislikes? I don't like teriyaki sauce with guacamole and cheese. I don't like cheddar jack cheese. I don't like people who smell bad or have bad breath. That's just nasty. Other than that, I'm pretty easy to please. Nonschool Activities? I'm trying to become a better cook. I'm addicted to sports, movies, television, and music. I enjoy reading Paul Fincannon's haikus about Lindsay Lohan. Those make my day.
Rebekah Hamrick, Senior, rhamrick3 [at] mail [dot] gatech [dot] edu
	Where are you from? Originally, Japan. However I've grown up as any Georgian Southern Belle should. Why did you join the board? To help people develop a critical mind and cooperate to see improvements through Any plans when you 'get out'? Industry; I wanna make stuff! Activities? Research? Features editor for the BMED Pioneer; a PL for two semesters; Neuroengineering Research with Dr. Potter for a semester. Dislikes? Mosquitos, poor grammar and typos, vacuuming, even numbers Nonschool Activities? Outside, movies, cooking, crossword puzzles
Victor Lesniewski, Junior, victorl [at] gatech [dot] edu
	Where are you from? Atlanta, GA Why did you join the board? The BMED curriculum shapes a significant part of our academic experience at Tech, and I want to make sure other students are getting the most out of our program and that we as a department continue to develop the undergraduate program. I also feel bmedSAB provides a solid avenue for the student body to communicate with the BMED administration and faculty, and I want to be a part of that. Any plans when you 'get out'? Get out first Activities? Research? I previously researched for 4 semesters under Dr. Rob Butera in the Neuroengineering Lab working with freshwater snails. Currently doing research under Dr. Ken Gall in MSE working on shape memory polymers. Other activities on campus include the Honors Program, the Men’s Club Ultimate Team, business development for AIESEC, GT Salsa Club, and the GTHP SIBS mentoring program. Dislikes? Swine Flu Nonschool Activities? Working with the Mad Housers to construct temporary shelters for the homeless, traveling, SCUBA, learning about things outside the scope of BMED, pretending to be busy.
Joey Mets, Senior, jmets3 [at] mail [dot] gatech [dot] edu
	Where are you from? Aiken, South Carolina Why did you join the board? To understand the overall teaching goals of the BME program, how the administration seeks to meet these goals, and how the system can be improved. But more importantly to help students understand why we're taking so many rocky classes, how to excel in BME, and what we can do with the degree when we graduate. So if you're wondering why on earth you're taking, say, 2210, the reason I joined was to learn what you can get from it, help you understand how marketable you'll be after the experience, and help provide feedback to the administration. Any plans when you 'get out'? Apply to medical school. What kind of doctor do you want to be? A darn good one. Activities? Research? Research in Chaikof Vascular Surgery Lab, Emory University. Working on methods to coat a variety of living cells to prevent immuno- and thrombotic reactions. GT Catholic Center Intramural Sports Captain Liaison. Italian Film Studies (in Italy) Summer 08. Dislikes? That sick feeling you get when you oversleep a class. Pizzas that are too small. Being too crunched for time to do my best on an assignment... but since coming to Tech I've never actually finished any single assignment. You just run out of time eventually, write a conclusion, and turn in what you've got. Nonschool Activities? Volunteering at Good Samaritan Health Center, a faith-based medical facility in downtown Atlanta that serves the uninsured working poor and homeless. The GT Catholic Center. Counselor at Camp Strong Hearts, GA, with congenital cardiology patients. Running half marathons. Swimming. Hiking. Snow skiing. Outside stuff is a great break from the BME basement.
Sonya Parpart, Graduated Spring 2009, sonyaparpart [at] gatech [dot] edu
	Where are you from? Kissimmee, Florida Why did you join the board? To improve the BME curriculum and be a voice for the BME student body. Any plans when you 'get out'? Grad school or work in industry for a few years prior to grad school Activities? Research? Involved in Undergraduate research in Dr. Milam's lab for the past 6 semesters also a member of the Biomedical Engineering Society and Tau Beta Pi. Dislikes? ?? Nonschool Activities? Ballet
Neil Shah, Senior, gtg0502 [at] mail [dot] gatech [dot] edu
	Where are you from? New Jersey Why did you join the board? To impact my community Any plans when you 'get out'? I plan to stay away from med school Activities? Research? CS 1371 TA, research in Dr. Wang's BioMIBLab, Tufaan (Indian dance team) Dislikes? When you're on an airplane and your ears pop and you try yawn or chew gum but that annoying feeling just wont go away. Nonschool Activities? Basketball, Chess