STEMTalks: Becoming a Biomedical Engineer
In this AAAS STEMTalk episode, we interview Dr. Ana Maria Porras, a Biomedical Engineer and Postdoctoral Research Fellow from Cornell University.
(Part 1 of 2)
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to do research — to be called a “researcher?” Meet Dr. Ana Maria Porras, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in biomedical engineering.
In this AAAS STEMTalks episode, we interview Dr. Porras, a Biomedical Engineer and Postdoctoral Research Fellow from Cornell University. In Part 1 of 2 of this video series, you will discover what a Postdoctoral Research Fellow is and why is it such an interesting and rewarding career for aspiring scientists and engineers!
Resources:
AAAS STEMTalks: Becoming a Biomedical Engineer (video to the right)
Dr. Ana Maria Porras’ personal website
The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering on career path infographic
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (optional read)
Further Exploration:
After watching the first video, can you answer these questions?
What is a postdoc? (Hint: see 00:40 in the video)
Why can science be challenging? (Hint: see 02:45 - 03:00 in the video)
What does the term “bioengineering” mean? (Hint: see 03:46 - 04:08 in the video)
What are the four different career pathways in bioengineering? (Hint: see 04:57 in the video, or Tools section)
Can you guess how an engineer, a microbe, and some yarn are related? (Hint: Watch Part 2 of this series, STEMTalks: Biomedical Research)
If you want to ask Dr. Porras a question, please write it in the comment section at the bottom of this activity.
To Do or Learn More:
Check out the second part of the series AAAS STEMTalks, Becoming a Biomedical Engineer Part 2
Explore Dr. Porras’ lab at Cornell University, The Brito Lab. Find out more about different research topics that you might find interesting, learn about each of Dr. Porras’ lab mates, and maybe even read a few of their recent publications.
Want to learn more about Dr. Porras’ Cornell Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship program. It was created in 2018 and offers significant independence and resources to top-tier postdoctoral researchers and scholars in all areas of study.
There are good reasons to do a postdoc, even if you don’t want to stay in academia. For instance, it might offer international experience or an opportunity to change fields. But a postdoc shouldn’t be viewed as the default. Read this Science Magazine article, Three bad reasons to do a postdoc.