Describe your personal and/or career goals after graduating from UIUC and how your selected first-choice major will help you achieve them.*

My aspiration is to become a materials scientist specializing in the development of more efficient and cost-effective drug delivery materials. This goal is rooted in my desire to advance medical care and expand access to affordable treatments for a broader patient population. UIUC’s Grainger College of Engineering provides an ideal environment for this pursuit, offering undergraduate students a wealth of research opportunities and state-of-the-art laboratory resources, such as the renowned Leal Research Lab. Engaging in these laboratory programs will allow me to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, honing my technical skills and fostering my ability to collaborate effectively in a research setting. Furthermore, the university boasts an impressive roster of faculty members, including Professor Cecilia Leal, whose pioneering work in biomaterials closely aligns with my research interests. The prospect of engaging in discussions on cutting-edge biomaterials issues with Professor Leal is particularly exciting, as I believe such interactions would significantly expand my research horizons and propel me towards achieving my academic ambitions.