Six Outstanding Biomedical Engineering Undergraduates Named 2023-2024 ACS Scholars: A Showcase of Academic Excellence and Leadership
By Karina Shevchenko
ACS Scholars are undergraduate seniors who embody Carnegie Mellon’s high standards of academic excellence, volunteerism, leadership and involvement in student organizations, athletics or the arts. They are selected each year by their deans and department heads to represent their class in service and leadership.
The ACS Scholars Program was launched in 1975 and has recognized almost 1,300 students to date. Each scholar receives a monetary award — made possible by the generosity of ACS members — to support their academic and personal growth.
Additionally, the ACS Scholars participate in an annual giveback event, where as a group they allocate $5,000 back to student-led projects, campus organizations or the campus community.
This year marks a significant achievement for the Department of Biomedical Engineering, with six out of ten College of Engineering ACS Scholars being affiliated with BME. Notably, CMU BME also boasted six ACS Scholars during the 2018-2019 and 2021-2022 academic years.
Lameck Beni
Senior, Biomedical Engineering/Mechanical Engineering
Lameck is an active member of the CMU society. He has served as a residential assistant, a peer tutor, and a supplemental instructor with the Student Academic Success Center (SASC), helping other students in their academic progress.
"I am truly grateful to have received this award. I am also appreciative of all the support I've received throughout my time at CMU, which has helped me reach where I am today," says Lameck.
Over the last two years, Lameck has been involved in the biohybrid and organic robotics group. His previous project entailed validating an ANSYS simulation that measured muscle tissue actuator forces and strains by constructing and utilizing a physical testing rig. His current projects involve the analysis of various proteins in electro-compacted biostructural threads for their application in biohybrid robots.
Lameck plans to pursue a master's in mechanical engineering at CMU through the IMB program. In the coming year, he also aims to decide on whether to pursue a Ph.D. program.
Tal Dassau
Senior, Biomedical Engineering/Chemical Engineering
Tal currently serves as the President of the Hillel Jewish Students Association and as a Board Member of the University Student Affairs Council. Her past service duties are notable, having served as the Vice President of the Hillel Jewish Students Association, a Board Member of Achayot Shel CMU (a Jewish Feminist Organization), a Chemical Engineering Student Advisory Council Representative, and an AIChE Student Chapter Class Representative.
"I am incredibly grateful to have received this award and am honored to join this cohort of exceptional individuals working to make a meaningful impact in the world," says Tal.
Tal has been conducting research in Dr. Abbott's lab on adipose tissue fibrosis since her freshman year. Her current project revolves around developing a novel automated software for adipocyte and lipid tracing in 3D immunofluorescent images. She recently received the Berg Scholar award for this work and will present her research at the AIChE conference in Orlando later this year.
In the future, Tal plans to pursue an MD/Ph.D. program, but after graduation, she intends to work in the industry.
Anais Del Rosario Martinez
Senior, Biomedical Engineering/Chemical Engineering
Anais is currently on the SHPE Mentorship board and has been on the e-board since her freshman year, where she has actively sought to build an inclusive community within the Hispanic/Latino population on campus. In the SHPE mentorship program she was dedicated to fostering a supportive network, providing guidance, and friendship within the CMU. This year, over 60 students have joined the CMU’s SHPE program. Anais recently organized a kickoff event for the program, witnessing the joy of students connecting and forming bonds with their mentors/mentees.
"I am honored to receive this award, as it recognizes the efforts I have dedicated to CMU," says Anais.
Post-graduation, Anais plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering.
Zoe Jacobs
Senior, Biomedical Engineering/Material Science and Engineering
Integrated Masters in Materials Science
Zoe has been an active member of the varsity swim team and has served as a Tartan Ambassador, providing campus tours at CMU.
"I am honored and grateful to be named an ACS scholar, considering the number of hard-working and talented students at CMU. I look forward to joining a group of students dedicated to maintaining high standards of academic excellence, student engagement, and community involvement," says Zoe.
Currently, Zoe is conducting research in Prof. Bockstaller's lab, focusing on the fabrication of entangled polymer networks of brush particles and the characterization of their self-healing properties.
Following graduation, Zoe plans to pursue a Ph.D. in materials science, specializing in optoelectronic materials.
Zoe Phares
Senior, Biomedical Engineering/Mechanical Engineering
Zoe presently serves as an Orientation Leader for incoming students. In her previous role, she worked as a Mentor for Strong Women Strong Girls, an organization dedicated to women's empowerment. The program pairs Tartans with elementary schools throughout Pittsburgh, fostering mentor-mentee relationships and empowering young girls.
"Since the pandemic impacted our freshman year, I have made it a top priority to actively participate in the CMU community and foster connections with various groups and individuals on campus. This award holds deep significance for me as it generously acknowledges these dedicated efforts," says Zoe.
Siya Scindia
Senior, Materials Science and Engineering/Biomedical Engineering
Siya currently serves as the President of the Society of Women Engineers, fostering a supportive environment for STEM students to build communities, find mentors, and develop professionally. In previous years, Siya held positions as the Publicity Chair and Secretary for the same organization.
"I am deeply honored to be selected as a 2024 ACS Scholar. I am thrilled to be a part of all the program has to offer and to get to know the incredibly diverse and motivated group of fellow awardees," says Siya.
Currently, Siya is engaged in a joint research project between Dr. Kaushik Dayal's Research Group in the College of Engineering and Dr. Alexandra Ion's Interactive Structures Lab in the Human-Computer Interaction department. She is researching the mechanical properties of superelastic metamaterials for their potential use in prosthetic sockets.
After graduation, Siya will start as an Associate Scientist at Merck, joining their Oral Formulation Sciences team.
In the picture, from left to right, are: Lameck Beni, Tal Dassau, Anais Del Rosario Martinez, Zoe Jacobs, Zoe Phares, Siya Scindia.