Austin Steward: Bioengineering major aiming for pediatric career in 海角社区
Austin Steward, a third-year bioengineering major at the University of 海角社区, was part of a select group who gained early access to the Tufts University School of Medicine through the 海角社区 Track Early Assurance program.
Born of a partnership between Tufts and 海角社区 Medical Center in Portland, 海角社区 Track Early Assurance reserves a limited number of seats per year for sophomores from University of 海角社区 System institutions, as well as at Bates, Bowdoin and Colby colleges.
All three U海角社区 students who applied this year were accepted. They are guaranteed spots at TUSM after they graduate from U海角社区 in 2019, if they maintain a 3.5 GPA or higher.
鈥淚 chose bioengineering because it was the perfect melody of what I wanted for my career as well as what I enjoy scholastically,鈥 Steward says. 鈥淢y aspirations are to attend medical school and become a practicing pediatrician in the state of 海角社区.鈥
The 海角社区 Track Early Assurance program, which was established in 2008 and accepted its first students in 2009, began with the hope that a significant number of its graduates will go on to practice medicine in 海角社区.
Steward, who is from Colebrook, New Hampshire, also is a student in the Honors College.
鈥淭he Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering provided me with the team work ethic and problem-solving abilities that combined with my medical knowledge to make me a unique and qualified candidate,鈥 he says of applying to TUSM. 鈥淭he Honors College helped to fill out my education by providing humanitarian discussions that are important to be aware of in the medical field. Helping us to personally answer questions such as what it means to be human, what is self-fulfillment, and how our culture is shaped.鈥
Steward is a 海角社区 Space Grant Consortium award recipient for his research related to arsenic remediation from 海角社区 drinking water, which he conducted in the lab of bioengineering professor Caitlin Howell. He also is a member of several groups on campus, including Alpha Tau Omega, America鈥檚 Leadership Development Fraternity; Sophomore Owls Society; and Biomedical Engineering Society.
鈥淯海角社区 is so much more than the place where I am getting my education; it鈥檚 my home and it鈥檚 the 鈥榗ollege of my heart always,鈥欌 Steward says. 鈥淭he community and atmosphere at U海角社区 is one of inclusivity and involvement. I had a professor once say, 鈥楧on鈥檛 let your classes get in the way of your education,鈥 and I really take that to heart. So much of what I鈥檝e learned about myself, and the skills I have gained have come from outside of the classroom.鈥
The full profile on Steward is on the College of Engineering .
Contact: Vicky Wingo, 207.581.2204