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Name: Sanjana Rajesh
Age: 19
College: Purdue University
Graduation Year: 2019
Majors: Biomedical Engineering and Materials Engineering
Instagram handle: @sanjana1097
What do you consider your greatest achievement to date?
Sanjana Rajesh: I think it would currently be the success of the solar lights in the village khoripada. We have volunteers who go back to check on how the lights are working and I found that everyone who had one set up their house is using it. This accomplishment has fulfilled me in a way that is different from the others, knowing that I did change their lives in a way for the better. That feeling is very powerful.
How do you feel about being a Woman to Watch? What does that mean to you?
SR: I’m very proud to be woman to watch! it is a feeling of support, that my endeavors and my dreams are being supported and this helps me in driving me towards my achievements. I feel supported and as though my purpose also has more meaning towards it.
What do you plan to do with biomedical engineering? How will that major help you further your life goals?
SR: With BME, I plan to go into prosthetics design and further ahead into cancer research. My life goal is to make a difference in people’s lives for the better and I feel engineering, especially biomedical, will help me further this goal.
Who in your life most inspires you?
SR: My father. He is also an engineer but in a different direction, materials engineering. His drive to achieve a goal is something that rubbed off on me. His passion for what he does is really admirable and it inspired me to find mine and find my drive just like he found his.
What advice do you have for other ambitious collegiettes with a goal/dream?
SR: Find out what really drives you towards that dream. With a powerful drive for achievement and success, you will be unstoppable. Obstacles will be thrown at you in every direction but giving up is not an option and that is how you will feel when you find your drive.
What are your top goals and priorities post-graduation?
SR: Post-graduation, I will probably be focused on turning my career into something research based so I can really go towards my goal. I will also be applying to grad school around that time.
What is your favorite inspirational quote?
SR: My favorite quote is in Winnie the Pooh. Its by Disney, “Promise me you will remember that you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think”.