Annie Nguyen is a first-year Ph.D. student in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut, currently conducting research in Dr. Yupeng Chen’s lab. Her work focuses on using Janus Base Nanomaterials for cartilage regeneration—a promising avenue in tissue engineering.

Annie earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, where she was not only a standout student but also an active mentor. She served as a lead mentor for first-year engineering students and supported underclassmen in the BME peer mentorship program, helping them successfully transition into the rigors of upper-division coursework. Her early research experience included using silk cocoons as biomaterials in a Chemical Engineering lab—a project that sparked her lasting interest in tissue engineering.

“I wanted a graduate school that supported both academic rigor and personal development,” she says. “UConn checked both boxes—and yes, I’m a huge fan of their basketball program too!” When she discovered JLLA, Annie saw it as the perfect place to grow leadership skills and build community with other driven engineering peers.

As a member of the Representativity Committee, Annie is already contributing to the Academy’s outreach and engagement efforts. “JLLA workshops have taught me so much—about leadership, communication, and teamwork,” she reflects. “These are skills I know I’ll carry into the workplace and beyond.”

Passionate about mentorship, Annie envisions a career where she can combine research and guidance. “There’s nothing more fulfilling than helping a student succeed,” she shares. “That moment when they grow into their potential—it’s the best feeling ever.”