Lindsey Ott

Major: Ph.D., Bioengineering

To be honest, coming from a rival school (I received my bachelor’s degree in biological and agricultural engineering at Kansas State University), I initially had not considered the University of Kansas (KU) very seriously. Thankfully, a helpful and approachable recruiter for the KU School of Engineering provided information about the school at a career fair. The recruiter was so inviting and helpful that I decided to schedule a campus visit. After visiting, I was impressed by the school’s professionalism, research-oriented programs, excellent advising, and helpful professors and staff. In addition, the graduate program I was interested in had a flexible curriculum that I could tailor to my future career goals.

I recently completed my third year as a Ph.D. student in the bioengineering program. My research is in the biomaterials and tissue engineering track, where I do experiments with biomaterial synthesis and characterization. The main objective of my research is to develop a functional tissue engineered scaffold that harnesses gradient scaffold design and drug delivery for tracheal defect repair. My career goal is to perform research in industry, potentially in a pharmaceutical or biomedical device company. I am also considering the idea of pursuing research and teaching at a university.

After being a part of the KU School of Engineering for three years, I am very impressed with the people within the school and the school itself. I have been positively impacted by many people and programs in the school. From Dr. Marotz’s welcoming presentation on my first day, to my adviser’s helpful guidance, to the KU Engineering graduate support staff and recruiters who are the reason why I came to KU in the first place—these people have enriched my Ph.D. experience at KU. Because I believe this is a great school for graduate students, I enjoy serving as an Engineering Graduate Ambassador, where I can share my great experiences with other students.

In my graduate career, I have been involved with Dr. Detamore’s Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering lab, the Biomedical Engineering Society, the Graduate Engineering Association, and the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experience for Teachers. I also received a Pharmaceutical Aspects of Biotechnology Predoctoral Training Program Fellowship through the National Institute of General Medical Science (NIGMS). In addition to engineering-related organizations, I am involved in the Intervarsity Graduate Christian Fellowship, and I volunteer with the Lawrence Meals on Wheels program once a week, where I deliver meals to the homes of seniors whose mobility is limited.

Prospective students may contact me at kuengr@ku.edu.