Sisters in Engineering
By Karina Shevchenko
Kimberly and Lindsay Lamberti both graduated from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) with an additional major in biomedical engineering, complementing their primary major in mechanical engineering. Their shared experience at CMU not only shaped their academic and professional journeys, but also deepened their bond as sisters and collaborators in science. Reflecting on their time in the department, both recall a warm, supportive community and an academic structure that gave them the tools to thrive.
As Conrad Zapanta, associate dean for undergraduate studies and teaching professor in BME, remembers, “Both sisters were incredibly focused and driven by a shared goal to use engineering in ways that improve human health. That passion was evident in everything they did.”
Kimberly Lamberti graduated from CMU in 2019 and went on to pursue a Ph.D. in Medical Engineering and Medical Physics through the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology program. She is currently a Postdoctoral Associate at MIT. She recalls, “I was really excited by the fact that Carnegie Mellon University’s biomedical engineering undergraduate program is designed as an additional major. This structure allowed me to build a strong foundation in mechanical engineering and then apply those skills to solve biomedical problems. That integrated training directly prepared me for graduate school, where I had to develop deep expertise in a technical field while applying it to clinical challenges.”
Kimberly Lamberti, MechE/BME, 2019
But for Kimberly, it wasn’t just the academics that stood out. “My absolute favorite part of CMU BME is the community. The professors, the staff, the graduate students, and my fellow undergrads were always so welcoming and supportive. Even now, I stay in close contact with my CMU BME mentors and peers. Whenever I reach out to or cross paths with someone in the community they are always so welcoming, and returning to CMU still feels like coming home.”
Lindsay Lamberti, inspired by her sister’s experience, graduated from CMU in 2024 with the same additional major and recently earned her master’s degree at Johns Hopkins University, where she was part of the Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design. “After I learned more about Kim’s time at CMU, I knew it was the right place for me, too. The additional major structure gave me all the core technical skills of a mechanical engineer while helping me apply them in the biomedical space.’’
Lindsay Lamberti, MechE/BME, 2024
CMU’s BME undergraduate program is purposefully structured as an additional major to ensure students receive in-depth training in a core engineering discipline such as mechanical, chemical, material science or electrical engineering, while gaining targeted education in the biomedical sciences. Dr. Zapanta explains, “Our department offers a unique model. By requiring a primary engineering major, we ensure our students graduate with focused technical skills. This makes them stronger engineers and more competitive for careers in research, industry, or graduate programs.”
Both sisters credit their professors and mentors for helping them grow as engineers and individuals. Kimberly shared, “I am particularly grateful for Dr. Zapanta, who had countless ‘What should I do with my life?’ meetings with me throughout the years, helping me think through different career pathways as I debated between going to industry or pursuing a Ph.D.” Lindsay added, “Dr. Z is a mentor I will always look up to. His kindness and care for his students is evident in everything he does, and I am honored to have learned BME Design from him.”
They also fondly recalled courses like Physiology taught by Phil Campbell, research professor of biomedical engineering, and Biomechanics with Keith Cook, the David Edward Schramm professor and head of biomedical engineering, as foundational to their education. Kimberly’s senior design project, “Low-Cost MRI Contrast Injector,” aimed to improve access to magnetic resonance imaging scans and was sponsored by Bayer Radiology LLC. Lindsay’s team developed a set of instruments to enhance efficiency and safety in spine surgery, culminating in their project titled “Improved Surgical Tools for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion,” sponsored by Medtronic.
Kimberly recalled, “I was so glad when Lindsay chose to attend CMU. It gave me an excuse to keep visiting Pittsburgh and CMU, which became a true home for me.” Having the shared experience of being CMU undergraduates gave the sisters a unique connection—not just as family, but also as alumni who shared the same classes, professors, and community.
Today, both sisters are continuing their journeys in biomedical engineering. Lindsay will begin working in the medical device industry this summer, aiming to be on the forefront of technological innovation and to see the impact her work can have on a patient’s life. Kimberly plans to wrap up her postdoctoral research in the coming months, which aims to improve the clinical utility of cardiovascular devices, especially those used in mechanical circulatory support. She will then begin an industry career in the life sciences, focusing on the intersection of engineering, medicine, and science.