Biomimetic MicroElectronic Systems

Student Decides On Career in Medicine After Research Experience

Undergraduates nearing the end of their college term often wrestle with what path to take next, and later can often trace their decision back to a few key experiences. The Engineering Research Center (ERC) for Biomimetic MicroElectronic Systems (BMES), headquartered at the University of Southern California, tries to involve undergraduates in research to heighten their consideration of graduate study in engineering or science. Sylvie Boiteau represents one of the center's success stories.

Boiteau participated in the center's Research Experiences for Undergraduate (REU) program, which provides a relatively brief exposure to research. At the beginning of the program, she was deciding between medical school or a PhD program or getting an MD/PhD. Boiteau generated some valuable ideas in a laboratory experiment studying synergies between shoulder and elbow movements in normal subjects, as part of the center's Modeling & Control Group. During that time, she observed a focus group at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center that was getting detailed feedback from stroke patients using the BION injectable neuromuscular stimulators developed by the Center.

Boiteau said she enjoyed the research element, but really got excited about interacting with the patients and seeing the impact the innovative BION technology had on them. "I was able to see the results of research being put to use and appreciate the differences it made in the lives of these people," she says. "I discovered that this interaction and the nurturing side of science is what appeals to me." Boiteau says the experience helped convince her she would be happy in medical school and would thrive as a physician.

To learn more about this topic:
Visit the neuromuscular prosthesis testbed page at the Center for Biomimetic
MicroElectronic Systems at: http://bmes-erc.usc.edu/research/neuromuscular-prosthesis-testbed.htm

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Sylvie Boiteau was influenced by her
participation in a BMES undergraduate research
program to choose medical school over a Ph.D.
or M.D./Ph.D. program.

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Last modified: April 2, 2007