I am Isaac Atkins, a senior Biomedical Engineering student planning to pursue research and medical school after graduation. As a Norman native, I hope to offer a comprehensive overview of student life on and off campus. My free time is spent reading, making tea for friends, volunteering at the local hospital, and maintaining a large personal collection of cacti.

Hometown

Norman, OK

Major(s)

Biomedical Engineering, B.S.

Minor(s)

Chemistry

Clubs, organizations & involvement

OU Biomedical Engineering Society Student Chapter (member)

Describe your college experience

I came to OU as a Chemistry major under a generous merit scholarship. After some time, I decided that a change to Biomedical Engineering and Pre-Medicine was more in line with my career aspirations and personal interests. The people in BME and the broader OU campus community have had a significant positive impact on my educational experience.

Tip for future students

Make good use of what's around you. A university provides a concentration of resources (intellectual, financial, social, etc.) that can help to guide you in your path. While it's true that you won't be able to do everything, don't let that stop you from doing many things.

Favorite class

My favorite class so far has been Biomaterials. This class was a synthesis of the many biological, chemical, and mechanical classes that I had taken in the preceding years. It was a "coming together" moment that showed how everything I had learned could be applied.

Career goals

After graduation, I will be taking a gap year of continued research prior to going to Medical School.

Ideal way to spend a free night

Spending uninterrupted time learning a new skill, practicing a recipe, or speaking with a close friend.

High school or secondary school

Norman High School, Norman, OK