BCoE Student Hall of Fame 2025: Annamarie Thompson

What is your name, age, classification and major?
My name is Annamarie Thompson. I’m 21 years old and a senior majoring in biomedical engineering and minoring in mathematics.

What year did you begin studying at MSU, and when is your expected graduation date?
I began my studies at MSU in Fall 2021, and I plan to graduate in May 2025.

Why did you choose to attend MSU, and why did you choose an engineering field of study?
I chose to attend MSU for several reasons. First, the opportunities and resources available to me at Mississippi State were unmatched. I knew that engaging in undergraduate research was important to me, and I saw that research was abundant at MSU and that resources were available to encourage undergraduate participation. It was also important to me to choose a university with a student-centric environment. During each visit to campus, I felt that the faculty at MSU were genuinely interested in learning more about my goals and sharing how MSU could help me reach those goals. MSU embodied a unique family culture and offered an environment where mentorship and support were abundant. This was one of the most significant reasons I chose MSU for my college home.

I chose to major in biomedical engineering because my primary interests are STEM, medicine, and biomedical research. BME was the perfect blend of my interests, and I knew the BME program at MSU would prepare me to continue my education at the graduate level and pursue a career in academia and medical research. I am interested in pediatric oncology research, and I felt that biomedical engineering would provide a unique background for my future work. In addition to providing an understanding of human biology and physiology, BME trains students to approach problems with an engineering mindset. I hope this approach will allow me to make a significant impact as I think critically about the problem of pediatric cancer and work toward developing therapeutic solutions.

What are your favorite campus organizations you have become a part of?
My favorite campus organizations I have been a part of are the Bagley College of Engineering Ambassadors and the Shackouls Honors College Ambassadors. I love sharing my MSU experience with prospective students and showcasing all that Mississippi State has to offer. It is a privilege to play a small role in a student’s college decision! I have also really enjoyed being part of the MSU Baptist Student Union (BSU). The BSU is a welcoming community that has given me amazing friendships!

What has been your favorite course you have taken at MSU and why?
My favorite course that I have taken at MSU is Physiological Systems in Biomedical Engineering. This course studies various body systems and the ways in which they work together. Learning about the heart, the brain, the nervous system, and the muscular system gave me a broader perspective of how each system intricately works and how all are intertwined. This knowledge is important for my current and future research and gives me a better understanding of how diseases and therapeutics impact the body holistically. This course will be particularly important for my graduate studies and career, and the knowledge I gained helped me further refine my future research interests.

Which course has been your most challenging at MSU and why? What was something you learned about yourself after taking that course?
Bioinstrumentation I was my most challenging course at MSU. This is a historically difficult class in the ABE curriculum. The course combines circuitry with LabVIEW and Python coding to develop digital and programmable instrumentation. For me, Bioinstrumentation I was my first experience learning in-depth coding skills. Combining these new skills with circuits presented a challenge, but it taught me the value of perseverance and teamwork. I had to study, research, and ask questions until I gained an understanding of the material. I also had to work with others in the course and on my lab team to develop a collective knowledge of the concepts. In the end, working hard individually and with others helped me master the material and appreciate the various biomedical applications of the skills I gained.

What is one thing you have learned, related to engineering, during your time in the Bagley College of Engineering?
One thing I have learned during my time at the Bagley College of Engineering is how to effectively identify and develop a solution to an engineering problem. Through my courses and senior design project, I have learned the steps in the pipeline from problem identification to product development and refinement. Gaining an understanding of the stages of ideation, prototype development, production, safety testing, etc., has given me an appreciation for all that biomedical device design requires. I feel equipped to step through this process with a team in the engineering sector or the research sector. This is an invaluable skill for problem-solving and product development in any application, and I am excited to take this knowledge into my future career.

How has MSU and specifically the Bagley College of Engineering, prepared you for professional life after college?
MSU and the Bagley College of Engineering have prepared me for professional life after college in many ways. I am confident that the education I have received in biomedical engineering will equip me to excel in graduate school and beyond. Outside the classroom, I have had opportunities to develop leadership and professional skills as well. As President and Vice President of the Bagley College of Engineering Ambassadors, I was challenged to grow personally and professionally. In these roles, I learned how to lead effectively alongside a team and harness individual and collective strengths to accomplish big tasks. These positions also challenged me to further develop my organizational, public speaking, and communication skills. I am confident that my time at MSU and in the Bagley College of Engineering has prepared me academically and professionally for my next steps and future career.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I will be attending Duke University to pursue a Ph.D. in Molecular Cancer Biology.

What will you miss most about MSU after you graduate?
The thing I will miss the most about MSU after I graduate is the community. At Mississippi State, I have gained mentors, friends, and an overwhelmingly supportive network. MSU prides itself on being a family, and I believe Mississippi State embodies family in a way that cannot be matched. From my first semester at MSU to now, I have been welcomed into a community that values my success and personal growth. The Mississippi State community has been incredibly influential in helping me achieve my goals and prepare for my next steps. The mentorship, support, and friendships I have gained are something I will always treasure and miss dearly.