BCoE Student Hall of Fame 2022: Christopher Robinson

What is your name, age, classification and major?

Christopher Robinson, 21, senior, biomedical engineering

What year did you begin studying at MSU and when is your expected graduation date?

I began MSU in the fall of 2018 and will graduate August 2022.

Why did you choose to attend MSU, and why did you choose an engineering field of study?

I chose MSU because of the family atmosphere I felt when I first visited campus along with the strength of its engineering programs. As the child who was constantly running experiments in the kitchen sink, I have always enjoyed studying math and science. Realizing that I wanted to use this skillset to improve human life by solving problems, I decided to major in engineering to do just that.

What are your favorite campus organizations you have become a part of?

Some of my favorite organizations I have been part of are Roadrunner and the Biomedical Engineering Association of MSU (BEAM). As a roadrunner, I have especially enjoyed introducing prospective students to all of the opportunities MSU has to offer them and seeing these same students on campus after they enroll. Serving as the president of BEAM this year, I have been able to connect even more with students, faculty, and alumni from my department. Over my time at MSU, BEAM has not only provided me a sense of belonging, but also a great space to grow both professionally and personally.

What has been your favorite course you have taken at MSU and why?

My favorite course I have taken at MSU is biomaterials. The course was centered around solving relevant biomedical engineering problems such as long COVID-19 or aortic aneurisms through team-based research proposals. It really helped hone my scientific writing skills and widened my understanding of current technical problems in medicine.

Which course has been your most challenging at MSU and why? What was something you learned about yourself after taking that course?

The most challenging course I have taken at MSU is bioinstrumentation I. The thing I found most difficult was the complex circuit analysis done throughout the semester. Two major takeaways I learned about myself from the class were that I do not particularly enjoy working with circuits and that ultimately, if I try my best, I am capable of understanding complex material even when it is not in my field of interest.

What is one thing you have learned, related to engineering, during your time in the Bagley College of Engineering?

My favorite thing I have learned during my time in the college has been how to communicate complex, scientific ideas into everyday terms or relatively simple mathematical expressions. A lot of the work done by engineers involves using math to describe scientific principles. The wide variety of engineering coursework I have taken has taught me to think of almost any issue in mathematical terms, solve the problem, and convert the answer into a solution that anyone can use.

How has MSU and specifically the department of engineering prepared you for professional life after college?

My time at MSU has given me the confidence and skill set to solve interdisciplinary problems, especially in a team setting. I plan to pursue a career practicing medicine and addressing health disparities through policy. I will use the technical background and problem-solving mindset from my engineering degree everyday throughout my professional life.

What are your plans after graduation?

After studying at the University of Oxford this summer, I will work in health policy for a year then attend medical school.

What will you miss most about MSU after you graduate?

What I will miss most is definitely the people. I believe Mississippi State has a unique atmosphere that encourages everyone to see one another as part of their extended family. From the admission officers that got me here to the staff at Perry Cafeteria and faculty in the classroom, I was welcomed with open arms and continue to feel so every day. Most of all, the student body has a deeply ingrained desire to see each other succeed, and that is something I will always cherish. (And the muscadine ripple ice cream!)