Yunbeen Bae ’24

Why did you decide on Chemical Engineering for your major?

I wanted the freedom of diverse career options that a chemical engineer could explore. I also liked the mix of quantitatively rigorous and conceptually challenging coursework required for the 10B degree. I decided to be Course X because chemical engineering bridged the fundamental science I found interesting with practical applications.

How would you describe your experience with UROP work?

My UROP work has been a long but very worthwhile journey since my sophomore year. I spontaneously contacted my 10.10 professor, Professor Galloway, and landed a project with my graduate student mentor, Sneha Makini. I hope to develop an editable promoter that can precisely control gene expression.

I had a very positive experience in my UROP, as I was able to develop a diverse array of wet lab skills along with the ability to construct a scientific narrative around the data I was collecting in lab through data analysis.

What are your plans post-graduation?

I hope to pursue an MD-PhD after working in my current UROP lab as a technician.

Do you have any advice for undergrads coming into or considering ChemE for their major?

Take advantage of the departmental and peer support you receive as a Course X! There are great peer mentoring, tutoring, and advising programs within the major that I loved throughout my time as an undergraduate. Classes may be challenging but they’re honestly so interesting and cool if you want to learn how physics, chemistry, and biology blend together in chemical engineering.

Things will fall into place when you start applying your knowledge from chemistry and biology to design your reactors, analyze markets, and engineer your processes!