Logan Schexnaydre, PhD in Biomedical Engineering, 2026
I was taught since I was a little girl that education and knowledge are the pillars of freedom and progress. These beliefs led me to pursue a career in science and set my path in education and research. I joined Dr. Smitha Rao’s group and the Department of Biomedical Engineering in the Fall of 2022, and since then, my life has changed completely. Under Dr. Rao’s guidance, I had the privilege of engaging in meaningful research and outreach activities. My research on localized therapy for cancer treatment led me to gain insights into how impactful research can be in people’s lives and to better understand how challenging cancer as a disease is. At the same time, I had the pleasure of sharing the science we perform with the local community through fun activities. I will always cherish the memory of seeing the joy wash over a kid’s face as he looked at the wing of a butterfly in a microscope.
I want to thank the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel and the Dean for selecting me to receive this amazing award, which will support me in the final miles of my PhD journey. I also want to express my gratitude to my advisor, Dr. Rao, for her full support throughout the program and for helping me grow as a researcher and to find my path. I am deeply thankful for her guidance and help. I am extremely proud of all the work we have done together. I also want to recognize the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Graduate Student Government for all their support.