Kassidy Tromboni is a graduate student in the Master of Applied Bioengineering program (MAB) in the UW Department of Bioengineering. After graduating in June, Kassidy will start a full-time position as research and development engineer with Medtronic, a large-scale device manufacturer located in Irvine, Calif. She will apply her MAB studies to focus on neurovascular products. Kassidy shared her experience as a student of the UW MAB program.
Was there anything that surprised you about UW BioE?
I was surprised by the wide range of topics taught by the faculty. There are many more professors with different areas of expertise than there were in my undergrad studies at Cal Poly State University. I have been a sponge at the UW. I had internships with medical device companies, including Medtronic and Boston Scientific, and I appreciate the impact those devices can have on people. I started out wanting to focus on prosthetics, but after my first internship, I like the focus on medical devices.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your studies?
The COVID year overall was challenging because there was a lot more concern around safety. I had to be creative to connect with others in a safe way. I appreciate that there was virtual networking with doctors, peers and cohorts so that we could keep strong connections. It has also been a period of flexibility as a student. I was used to approaching things a certain way, such as my study habits. COVID uprooted those strategies and required me to approach things differently. It has been a good learning opportunity and I’m hoping we can come back together in person soon.
How has your community supported you?
At the UW, I have had many professors who are dedicated to student success. They have given me plenty of time to make sure I understand the material.
At the UW, I have had many professors who are dedicated to student success. They have given me plenty of time to make sure I understand the material. Soraya Bailey, the director of MAB [and associate teaching professor in BioE], has helped me and my cohort with our professional success. She has invited guest speakers to share their expertise and has helped us prepare for the workforce. Soraya’s experience as a woman in a STEM field has been helpful when I have expressed my concerns in that area. The mentorship has been very valuable.
Professionally, I have had managers who are dedicated to maximizing my experience as an intern. Internships helped prepare me for the workforce because going into the bioengineering field offers a lot of opportunities. I had the chance to take different roles and figure out what I wanted to do.
Do you have any advice for people considering UW BioE?
The faculty at UW are involved in many different areas of research, which means there are endless opportunities. If someone is considering the UW, I would encourage them to come with a mindset to learn all they can, connect with as many people as possible and ask as many questions as possible. There is so much to learn. You’ll let yourself down if you don’t take advantage of all there is to offer.
What do you like to do for fun outside of school?
I enjoy exploring Seattle. I also like to spend time with my roommate – having fun movie nights, beach bonfires and relaxing away from school.