Hi! I’m Seher, a Biological Engineering major at the University of Florida with a concentration in Biosystems Engineering. I’ve lived in four different countries: India, Venezuela, Panama, and the U.S. So connecting with people from all backgrounds comes naturally to me and is something I love! I speak English, Spanish, and Hindi, and I love sharing what makes UF special from both an academic and a personal perspective. Outside of classes, I’m involved in multiple student organizations as well as research, and I’m always exploring new spots around Gainesville, from the best study spots to my favorite places to grab coffee or unwind. I’m excited to help prospective students get a real, honest feel for what life is like as a Gator and answer the kinds of questions only a current student can.

Hometown

Technically Fresno, California, but I grew up moving around a lot!

Major(s)

Biological Engineering (pre-law, I hope to become a patent attorney!)

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Florida Intellectual Property Alliance (Founding member, Secretary- 2023-2025, and Vice president- current), UF ASABE, UF Dostana, ISA

Describe your college experience

Transitioning to college was a mix of excitement and adjustment for me. I moved far from home to attend UF, and while I was nervous at first, meeting people and getting involved in student organizations and research really helped me find my community and grow into myself. I’ve taken on leadership roles, pursued hands-on engineering projects, and found mentors who’ve helped me shape my academic and professional path. It hasn’t always been easy, balancing everything and navigating challenges takes time, but I’ve grown so much both personally and intellectually. College has taught me how to advocate for myself, collaborate with others, and stay curious about the world around me. I truly feel like I’m building a future I’m proud of here.

Tip for future students

Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Professors, advisors, and even other students want to see you succeed. Reach out early and often! Get involved! Whether it's a club, research, or volunteering, joining something outside of class helps you find your people and feel more at home. Explore Gainesville. UF is amazing, but so is the town. Hit the farmer’s market, go kayaking, and find your go-to study spot off-campus. I personally love Karma Cream! Bring an umbrella. I promise it will rain the moment you feel cute. Avoid Turlington during class change. Unless you enjoy getting flyered six times and accidentally joining a new religion. Don’t trust the Chick-fil-A line to be short. Even if it looks short, it wraps around invisibly. Always.

Favorite class

My favorite class so far has been Applications in Biological Engineering (ABE3000C). It was the first course where everything I’d learned started to feel real. We got to apply engineering principles to actual biological systems. One of the highlights was a creative project where I designed a vertical farming simulation using Python, which was driven by my interest in sustainable agriculture and tech-driven solutions. The class was hands-on, challenging, and full of moments where I realized, “This is why I chose this major.”

Career goals

After college, I plan to go to law school. Being involved in FLIPA (Florida Intellectual Property Alliance) and exploring the intersection of engineering and innovation has helped me realize that my true passion lies in law, especially in advocating for and protecting ideas. My experiences, both personal and academic, have shown me how impactful good legal guidance can be, and I’m excited to become an attorney who supports innovation and creativity! I’m especially interested in becoming a patent attorney, where I can combine my technical background with legal expertise to help inventors and engineers bring their ideas to life.

Ideal way to spend a free night

My ideal way to spend a free night is a mix of movement and downtime. I love going for a run or to the gym to clear my head, then meeting up with friends or my roommates to try a new restaurant or cook something fun together (we take baking very seriously). Some of my favorite nights are the ones where we just hang out in the apartment laughing, dancing around the kitchen, and talking for hours about everything and nothing. It’s the perfect blend of fun and recharge.

High school or secondary school

Pathways World School (Gurugram, India) Earl Wooster High School (Reno, Nevada) Granada High School (Livermore, California)