BioE Student Spotlight: Sydney Williams
This article was written by Rida M., Bioengineering undergraduate student and student office worker in the Department of Bioengineering.
Sydney Williams, a Bioengineering major from Wellington, Florida, is combining her passion for human health with her love of engineering. Currently on the biomechanics track and pursuing a pre-physical therapy path, she’s preparing for a future where she hopes to work in orthopedic care, with amputees, or possibly alongside athletes.
Williams didn’t start her college career in Bioengineering. Like many students, she came to Lehigh uncertain about exactly what she wanted to do and initially enrolled as a mechanical engineering major. Nevertheless, as she learned more about the Bioengineering program, she saw an opportunity to align her studies more closely with her interests. Williams states, “I thought it would be versatile in case I changed my mind about what I wanted to do, which I did, several times.”
Since switching majors, she hasn’t looked back. She’s found a strong community and a wide range of opportunities within the department. Williams is a member of LU Enable, a student group that designs assistive technologies, and BMES, the Biomedical Engineering Society. These organizations have helped her connect with peers who share her passion for using engineering to solve real-world health challenges.
One of her most memorable academic experiences came during her senior capstone project, where her team created a 3D-printed prosthetic arm and hand. The team brought creativity and humor to their work by using the prosthetic hand for handshakes during presentations, which always got a laugh and helped make their work more engaging.
After graduation, Williams plans to take a year off from school to gain hands-on experience and shadowing hours before applying to physical therapy programs. She knows PT school will be demanding and wants to enter it refreshed and prepared. She’s confident that her Bioengineering degree has equipped her with a valuable perspective. She said, “Having a bioengineering background will make me a versatile candidate for PT school and provide me with a unique skillset.”
When she’s not in class or working on projects, Williams enjoys weightlifting and fitness, and she even competed in a bodybuilding show in 2023. Whether in the gym, the lab, or the classroom, she brings energy and focus to everything she does. As she moves toward her next chapter, she’s excited to keep building on what she’s learned and to use her skills to make a lasting impact in people’s lives.