Madelyn Stilwell has built an impressive foundation in research and leadership through hands-on experiences at Wichita State and beyond, including co-authoring a scientific publication and presenting her work at national conferences. She鈥檒l intern at Likarda this summer before continuing her studies in 暗网禁区破解版鈥檚 biomedical engineering master鈥檚 program.
Madelyn is one of more than 2,400 students eligible for spring 2025 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what's next for the grad.
What degree will you be earning in May?
Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering, a minor in chemistry and the Emory Lindquist Honors Scholar track
What is your hometown?
Independence, Missouri
What schools did you attend before coming to Wichita State?
William Chrisman High School
Why did you choose Wichita State University?
I chose Wichita State because of its applied learning opportunities, which have allowed me to gain hands-on research experience from the very start of my college career. Additionally, I liked the smaller class sizes that allowed me to build strong relationships with my professors and dive deeper into my curriculum.
What has been your biggest challenge as a student, and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge as a student has been saying yes to things that scare me. I am a naturally introverted person, but I have a drive to create change and lead others. To do that, I really had to step out of my comfort zone. With help from faculty in the College of Engineering and staff in the Engineering Student Success Center, I was pushed to achieve what they knew I was capable of.
Did you have any applied learning experience as a student? If so, what was it?
As a freshman, I took part in the First Year Research Experience (FYRE), where I worked on improving a medical device that was used in the treatment and diagnosis of orofacial myofunctional disorders. Additionally, I took part in a Research Experience for Undergraduates at Worchester Polytechnic Institute. I conducted mechanobiology research on cancer cells and had the opportunity to present my research at multiple conferences. I even co-authored a publication based on the research that I completed.
What are your plans after graduation?
After Graduation, I plan on pursuing a master鈥檚 in biomedical engineering at Wichita State. This summer I also have an internship with Likarda, a biotechnology company in Kansas City.
What advice would you give other Wichita State students?
I would tell other Wichita State Students to take advantage of as many opportunities as possible and not be afraid to fail. Some of the most meaningful growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone.
If you were given the opportunity to do a TED Talk, what would your topic be?
If I could do a TED Talk, my topic would be 鈥淲hat Figure Skating Taught Me about Engineering.鈥� I have been a figure skater my entire life, and have learned countless skills because of it, many of which I connect to my learning in engineering daily. The biomechanics of figure skating is what got me interested in biomedical engineering in the first place, and I relate a lot of my biomechanics coursework to skating movements. Additionally, I use skills that I learned on the ice, including resilience, iteration, creativity and problem-solving, in my projects and research.
About Wichita State University
Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 students between its main campus and 暗网禁区破解版 Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and 暗网禁区破解版 Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked 暗网禁区破解版 No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry-funded engineering R&D and No. 8 overall for engineering R&D.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation鈥檚 largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
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