Duong Thuy Nguyen, Biomedical Engineering Alum

Degree(s) 

Biomedical Engineering BS (2008) 

Biomedical Engineering MS (2010) 

Bioengineering PhD (2013) 

Current Residence 

Hamburg, Germany  

Current Employer 

Bluu Seafood GmbH 

What influenced your decision to attend Herff College of Engineering? 
My parents wanted me to stay close to home so U of M was my top choice. Also, the guidance I received during those years increased my commitment to my biomedical engineering degree. 

How did Herff prepare you for your career? 
My education and experience at Herff College of Engineering served as the foundation of my adulthood. I learned many valuable lessons and met long lasting friends. My engineering courses challenged my learning capacity by improving my problem solving skills. The diversity of topics from mechanical to electrical and biomedical engineering gave me a great introduction to all the possibilities of a career. In addition, extracurricular activities that Herff hosted such as summer programs for girls in engineering and engineering day open house gave me opportunities to inspire engineering careers to the younger generation. This experience was something that shaped my focus to become a leader who wants to inspire and teach. 

What skills or knowledge did you learn throughout the program that you found most helpful in your career? 
In my biomedical engineering program, there was a big focus on tissue engineering and biomaterials, this paved the way for my career. I still apply some of this base knowledge to my current job even after so many years. 

Who was your most impactful professor? Why? 
Dr. Joel Bumgardner had the most impact in the journey I have travelled. He was the person who sparked my interest in tissue engineering. Hence, I became his master thesis student to work on a tissue engineering research project. He gave me great guidance to get my National Science Foundation Fellowship and how I should proceed to my PhD adventures. 

Were you involved in student groups? If so, which one(s)? 
I was very active with the Society for Women Engineers because I found it was a great network of supporters. Society for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering Society were other groups I was part of to learn and expand my career possibilities. 

What support(s) did you have during your time as a college student? How did you keep focused on the goal? 
I received financial support from Herff and also guidance from the college counsellor Ms Atkinson about course planning. The whole Biomedical Engineering Department, from graduate students to the faculty was very supportive throughout my time there, especially when I was able to work as one of the office helpers. 

What was your greatest memory from your time at Herff? 
This would be between finishing the senior design assignment with a great group of friends or seeing cells grow on the scaffolds I created on the scanning electron microscope. 

What advice would you give those considering enrolling in Herff College of Engineering? 
Go outside your comfort zone and be actively involved in the department and in student groups. The size of the college is just right to get a diversity of possibilities while still being small enough for you to have a voice if you wanted to make an impact in your own career or as an outreach. 

What do you know now that you wish you had known during your time at Herff? 
I wished there were opportunities to learn about entrepreneurship because I have been working in three different start-ups until now and that would have helped me excel even more. 

Was your Herff experience worth the price? If you could do it over again, what would you do differently? 
Considering that I had a full ride to Herff due to the scholarships provided, I would consider it was worth the price. I would not have done anything different. I really enjoyed being able to approach any of the professors, not getting lost in a large building, and seeing innovative research up close. Herff College of Engineering had the environment that fostered my transition from being a high school student to a career driven adult.