Meet Claire Zhang, a sophomore majoring in Biomedical Engineering (BME). She is the Outreach Chair of 3D PATH, a Biomedical Engineering club that teaches students 3D designing software such as Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Fusion 360, along with simple circuitry to create assistive medical technology.
Claire didn’t initially plan on studying Biomedical Engineering, but after being admitted to Stony Brook, she felt the major aligned with her strengths in problem-solving and adaptability. The structured way of thinking in engineering complemented her interest in medicine, making the major both rigorous and well-rounded. Over time, she came to realize that Biomedical Engineering is less about locking into a certain career path and more about developing an analytical and flexible mindset. Claire hopes to pursue medicine while maintaining a strong foundation in engineering, remaining open to paths that might combine engineering, design, and patient care.
Study abroad played a significant role in Claire’s college experience. After a knee injury during the spring semester, she took time to reflect and realized it was the perfect opportunity to pursue personal growth, as she felt this would be the last summer where she could fully choose what she wanted to do.
The experience helped increase Claire's confidence in speaking in Spanish while encouraging learning beyond the classroom. She was also able to explore other subjects such as art history and medical coursework taught fully in Spanish, expanding her perspective and strengthening her communication skills.
On campus though, Claire serves as the Outreach Chair of 3D PATH, where her main focus is to build connections and increase the engagement across the Stony Brook community with 3D PATH. By attending various volunteer events, she was able to network with different organizations and worked to advocate for 3D PATH’s goals and events.
With Claire’s keen interest in medicine, she was able to shadow a doctor in the Emergency Department at Stony Brook Hospital, where she observed both the human and social aspects when it came to patient care. This experience reinforced her commitment to pursuing medicine, and has encouraged her to remain open to different medical fields for her future career path.
As for right now, Claire plans on working towards applying to medical school while exploring research opportunities. Claire’s experience showcases that academic paths don’t always need to be linear and being adaptable and willing to explore can lead to meaningful experiences.
Read more about Claire’s experiences below in an interview with CEAS Student Assistant Janice:
The Interview
Janice: What led you to studying Biomedical Engineering?
Claire: I actually never considered Biomedical engineering, but when I applied to Stony Brook and got in for BME, it seemed to fit my interests the most. I ended up sticking with it because I found engineering teaches a very specific way of thinking and it targets a lot of what I’m good at. I’ve always liked medicine and biology so this major felt very well-rounded.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I actually did my second piercings by myself!
Why did you choose to study abroad, or is it a part of being a Franklin Institute Scholar?
I studied abroad through Stony Brook. In the spring, I dislocated my knee, so during my recovery I had a lot of time to reflect. Since I’m also pre-med, I realized that this was really the last summer I could choose something purely for myself, so I chose to study abroad. I had taken Spanish for seven years so I wanted to make use of it.
How did study abroad help you grow personally and academically?
Claire (right) posing with a group outside of a university hospital while studying abroad in Spain.
Socially, studying abroad helped me become much more confident in speaking and understanding Spanish. In high school, language learning often feels like something you do just for credit, but going abroad completely changes your perspective. People don’t really care if your Spanish isn’t perfect, and you realize that limited Spanish can actually get you very far.
Academically, I took an Art History course that gave me a new appreciation for art. It broke down paintings into different components: why certain artists are considered great, their backgrounds, and the historical contest behind their work. Seeing these paintings in person after learning their history really helped me understand what I was looking at.
I also took a Spanish medical course that was taught entirely in Spanish, which forced me to learn the language in a different perspective. Having prior experience helped, but it taught me a lot about grammar, communication styles, and how the Spanish medical system works.
What is your main goal for the club as the Outreach Chair of 3D PATH?
On the surface, my goal is to expand our network and promote interactions with other student organizations on campus. This includes building connections and creating a reputation that helps encourage engagement.
We’ve also branched out into different fields such as hosting a hackathon and working on toy adaptation projects. We really focus on being student resourceful, such as using 3D skills and simple circuitry, to show students that they can actually build and create things. On a deeper level, I try to understand what different audiences want so we can better tailor events and maximize impact both on and off campus.
What motivated you to shadow a doctor in the Emergency Department at the Stony Brook Hospital?
During my recovery from dislocating my knee, my roommate jokingly suggested that I ask to shadow the doctor who was fitting me for my knee brace. I decided to ask and it actually worked.
I ended up shadowing Dr. Marshall Leonard for over a month, once or twice a week, where I was able to observe triage and the dynamics of the emergency department. That experience confirmed that I wanted to pursue medicine and exposed me to new possibilities. I originally planned to focus on women’s and children’s health, but now I’m also considering emergency medicine.
Was there a particular time when you shadowed a doctor that stood out to you?
What stood out most to me was how differently the doctor interacted with patients depending on their age and situation. For example, with elderly patients, he would speak louder, while with a young girl with abdominal pain, he was more attentive and responsive to her reactions. These moments really highlighted the social and human side of patient care, which you don’t always get to see from the outside.
I also had the chance to speak with medical students, who gave me reassuring advice. They emphasized that while the process can feel overwhelming now, medical school provides stability and leads to a fulfilling path.
What steps have you taken in terms of personal and career development over the summer?
Over the summer, I focused on shadowing and outreach, but studying abroad also helped me realize how much I enjoyed art. I want to explore ways to combine art and engineering because I think art helps you understand yourself better and builds strong skills in analysis and reflection.
Were there any resources from CEAS or SBU that you found helpful throughout these experiences?
Having access to a nearby hospital was incredibly helpful for shadowing opportunities. Stony Brook also does a great job advertising its study abroad programs, especially across STEM, medical, language, and arts disciplines.
Within the CEAS office, the BME department has great faculty support. Since it’s a relatively small major, the faculty are very dedicated and the community is close-knit so you practically know everyone. When you struggle, others are usually going through the same thing.
I’m also part of WISE Honors and serve on the Student Life Council (SLC). WISE offers so many opportunities that I sometimes feel like I haven’t taken full advantage of them yet. The faculty are extremely dedicated. And the program has been very impactful for me.
3D Path club poster display and students using 3D printing pens.
Do you have any advice for those who are looking to go into a similar field or pursue a similar experience?
Your major does not determine your career path, and it doesn’t have to perfectly align with what you think you want to do in the future. Medicine is a multi-faceted field, and you don’t need to be a heavy STEM person to succeed. Don’t limit yourself, you can also seek opportunities outside your major.
It can be difficult watching your friends transfer out of BME, but sticking with it tests your character. Engineering is applicable almost anywhere, and BME in particular is often described as a “jack of all trades, master of none”. The most valuable thing it gives you is a way of thinking.
What are your current plans or goals?
I tend to overthink and plan years ahead, but my main goal right now is to persevere and apply to medical school. I also understand that life is multi-faceted, and you never really know what will happen next.
Some smaller goals I have are getting involved in research, improving my time management, and building a more consistent sleep schedule.
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