BioE Student Spotlight: Devon Ennis
This article was written by Juliana M., Bioengineering undergraduate student and student office worker in the Department of Bioengineering.
Devon Ennis is a senior from Pennington, New Jersey, majoring in Bioengineering with a specialization in biomechanics and biomaterials. Outside of class, she loves skiing, surfing, and playing soccer. When she’s not outdoors, she enjoys painting and sketching to unwind.
At Lehigh, Ennis is drawn to bioengineering because it blends her love for engineering, biology, and chemistry. She explains that the interdisciplinary nature of the field has challenged her to think critically about the world and how to approach solving complex problems. "I love how a lot of the curriculum is focused on open-ended problem solving," Ennis shares. "There isn’t always one definitive solution to a problem, and I enjoy the challenge of figuring things out along the way."
One of the main reasons Ennis chose to study Bioengineering at Lehigh was because of the amazing research opportunities. During her time at Lehigh, Ennis has had the chance to engage in innovative research, including fabricating biomaterial-based corneal replacements in The Chow Lab. She’s also worked on a project involving synthesizing polypeptides and integrating them into scaffolds that degrade with tissue formation. After completing her undergraduate degree, she is staying at Lehigh for the 4+1 program, where she will work on a one-year thesis. Ennis plans on attending medical school after completing her master’s degree, driven by her passion for combining engineering with healthcare.
For Ennis, the relationships with professors and peers are one of the best parts of her experience at Lehigh. She values the small class sizes and the opportunity to really connect with faculty members. “I've had some amazing experiences in my classes because of the faculty-to-student ratio," she explains. "In my biomechanics lab, I was one of just seven students, and I got to know my professor, Dr. Perry, so well. The same thing happened with my senior design project. It’s clear that the faculty really care about their students and want to see them succeed."
When reflecting on her time at Lehigh, Ennis recalls how the faculty's approach to teaching has shaped her learning. "The teaching style here is all about leading you to figure things out on your own," she says. "You learn by doing, and mistakes are part of the process. It’s a great way to learn, even if it feels challenging at times."
As for advice to future Bioengineering students, Ennis emphasizes the importance of seeking out faculty and getting involved with research early on. “Don’t be afraid to reach out to faculty about your interests," she encourages. "If I hadn’t reached out to my current research advisor, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to work in her lab or participate in some of the amazing research experiences I’ve had."
Ennis is excited about the future and the path ahead. With her bioengineering degree, she hopes to make a meaningful impact in the world of medicine and healthcare by combining her technical skills with a passion for helping others.