Capstone Scholar
Hi, I’m Jessica Schmidt
I am a rising Junior at the University of South Carolina as a Biomedical Engineering major. I am originally from Wantagh, New York
02_MY STUDIO
About me
On campus, I have found it easy to get involved in clubs including, Girl Gains, Gamecock Sailing, the Association of Pre-Physician Assistant Students, and the Biomedical Engineering Society. Additionally, I have become involved in undergraduate research. I currently volunteer at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine working with many talented individuals researching a new drug for heart failure. Currently, we are testing the effectiveness of the drug along with how it affects different biomes in the body. In the lab, I perform experiments such as isolating DNA, staining for imaging, electrophoresis, and handling mice!
Capstone experience
Dorming in the Capstone building led me to meet so many friends along with making it easy to go to Capstone events with friends as many events were hosted there. One of my favorite experiences hosted by Capstone was an event at the beginning of my freshman year. While everything was still new moving halfway across the country knowing only a few people, I had asked my roommate and a few people from our floor if they wanted to go tubing down the Congaree river. As we all floated down the river together we continued to join floats with others being introduced to many other students and getting to know the community we are involved with. It was refreshing and a fun way to meet people.
Additionally, I have attended Hot Cookie Fridays, late-night breakfast for finals, Marathon month, and enjoyed the many resources that Capstone has provided for me, including helping me getting involved in undergraduate research! Capstone had provided me with a caring community that had allowed me to challenge myself while also providing support along the way. Many events hosted provided a way to become involved in the community, such as volunteering, along with ways to destress from school. I am glad to be a part of such an amazing community that allowed me to grow.
Looking ahead
Through personal challenges that we were asked to make for ourselves, I was able to find people of similar interests to me, push myself to be more outgoing, and become involved in undergraduate research. Capstone led me to challenge myself and gave me the opportunity and resources to complete these challenges. These experiences have changed my view on things that often seem scary at first. Throughout my challenges, I have pushed myself outside of my comfort zone such as joining different clubs and building relationships and reaching out to my professors. I have learned that while it may be scary to give things a chance such as undergraduate research, it is so rewarding to be a part of something innovative and be able to help further medicine.
Looking ahead, in my next two years at the University of South Carolina I will continue to push myself. Over this summer heading into my Junior year I am becoming certified as an EMT, I am planning to use the next two years to both volunteer and work as an EMT to help others and gain experience in the medical field as I am planning on continuing my education to become a Physician Assistant!
Within the Classroom
Human Anatomy with Biomedical Engineering Applications
One of my favorite classes I have taken at UofSC is Human Anatomy with Biomedical Engineering Application. I had always found interest in the human body, and how trillions of cells form such complex tissues and organs, all working harmoniously. While my interest was always there, learning about such complex mechanisms in the body truly made me love with the subject. Not only was I able to understand the intricate ways of the body, but we also learned about how we can mimic structures and metabolic pathways as engineers. We used equations to predict and imitate biological solids and fluids, learned how the body reacts to implanted materials, and much more for each system. Additionally, one of our labs for this class was at the University of South Carolina Medical School. We were able to work with Medical Students in the cadaver lab, seeing human anatomy up close and personal. We were able to move around different organs to see how they come together to form body systems. I even was able to hold a real human heart! Furthermore, for this class, we have a final project with full creative freedom. In groups of 4, we were able to get together and choose a body system, and build off of the newest innovations. As a group, we had chosen to mimic lymphatic nodes and vessels for lymphedema analysis. There is little research in this field, and many issues with studying lymphedema include not being able to properly model this system for surgeons and devices to work to their best abilities. We had taken different forms of radiologic tracing and in silico modeling in hopes of advancing outcomes of procedures. Working as a team collaborating with research we had found ideas, reflecting a real-world space in the engineering field. This class wasn’t just a class for me, being able to become more immersed in my major, along with being able to be able to experience an amazing opportunity at the cadaver lab had continued to grow my passion for the medical field.
Beyond the Classroom
Research at the School of Medicine
Becoming involved in research has always been something I was interested in, I had used this interest as a personal goal for my sophomore year, as it was something that I wanted, however had some fear going into it. With multiple lab safety training and finding a project I was interested in, I was able to find a place in Dr. Pott's lab. I was put on one of his projects regarding a new drug, in which his previous research has shown positive results in helping heart failure. I worked along with a Biomedical Engineering master's student to study how this specific drug affects the digestive system. I originally was overwhelmed by the number of machines, tubes, and information I was being given. However, working alongside others I was able to start to find my grove. We worked with mice to discover how the gut biome changes, along with looking at the intestines microscopically to see changes in cell patterns of the microvilli. We used different machines and techniques to extract DNA and study the histology of the intestines. Each week the lab gets together to discuss plans and the findings of the system they are studying. Being part of this team has shown me how much goes into these projects, and how everyone wants to help each other succeed. If I am ever confused about a machine or project they are always there to help. The research was something that had been scary with learning new machines and lab equipment, however, I can always look for someone happy to help and it has turned into a real passion of mine!.
Connection
Both in the classroom and beyond the classroom I feel like I was able to become more immersed into my major and career. In the medical field, despite the track you take, teamwork is an essential part of practicing and furthering medicine. We wouldn’t be where we are in medicine today without being able to build off of each other's ideas and brainstorm together. When in place with people with similar passions, I find collaboration to be fun and interesting to see others' perspectives. I was able to see this through my group projects and team meetings.
Additionally, while learning about cellular levels during anatomy, my lab partner and I found what looked like a growth in the mice intestines. When we had brought this up during our team meeting we determined that it was Peyer’s patches. I had learned about these a week prior, and being able to use my knowledge from class and apply it to my research allowed me to see the applications of what I am learning. Even such a simple histology sample showed me how to apply my knowledge outside of the classroom. I have learned so much from my major classes, and am excited to continue to learn and apply my knowledge to my career.
One of my biggest takeaways between these two parts of education and my capstone experience is to never let fear or uncertainty get in your way. Asking more questions in the cadaver labs, making connections with professors, and becoming involved in research have all shaped who I am today and brought me experience and knowledge that I am so grateful for. Without stepping out of my comfort zone I wouldn’t be able to build connections, be part of different teams, or use my knowledge in ways that I do today.