Hey Everyone! I am Saimoen Anderson, a first year Masters student at Stony Brook University where I am focusing on cell and tissue engineering. In May 2024, I graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor of Science in biology and minoring in chemistry.

Walking and asking questions were the main conditions as a geologist’s granddaughter. From a
young age my grandfather instilled in me the revolution of science. How a question can turn into theory, a theory into an experiment, and that experiment into medicine or a device that changes global livelihood. At the time, I didn’t know that the study of these instruments and their creation was a growing field so I focused on walking, picking up rocks (most of them being either quartz, glass or having a lot of micah on them) showing my grandfather and asking questions. My grandfather was extremely intelligent and bright and he encouraged everyone around him, especially me to be the same. To never stop searching for truth and expanding your mind through learning and education.

In grade school, science (no matter the type) was the coolest subject. My teachers were eccentric and amusing, using songs to teach different facts and the experiments were captivating displaying science’s unlimited possibilities. Even when you are wrong, your answer can establish a change that can be evaluated and help you move toward the right answer. My school district would take us on field trips to Brookhaven National Laboratory’s Science Learning Center. Usually, I was the first one off the bus and the last one on, taking as much time as I wanted (even when the teacher urged me to move on) to use the various instruments they provided us with. Investigating each and every learning section they had, watching my classmates and eagerly awaiting my turn to “make science happen”. During the summer my grandmother would take my siblings and I to different science museums across Long Island so that all the ideals I had learned in class can be made real. Looking back, my family guided me toward science as a whole, insisting that I think big and change the world one step at a time. But, it was my imagination, altruism and investigative attitude that focused me toward biomedical science, specifically biomedical engineering. Unearthing new mechanisms and collecting information that would beneficially impact the
health field.

Biology was the right approach for me to take toward BME. I saw cell biology as a strategy for
me to not only appreciate the body and cells on a deeper level but for me to conceptualize the
nanoworld. I trained myself to think microscopically in order to learn how to advance treatments and drug delivery. In undergrad, I researched latent autoimmune disease in African American adults (LADA or Type 1.5 diabetes). My mentors and I distinguished LADA from Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Identifying a common gene, PFKFB3 among LADA and T2DM and reviewing the pathways that connect the gene to disorders, signals and conditions that occur within the cell or body. Our work advanced research in the misdiagnosis of T2DM in African American adults.

Misdiagnosis is very prevalent among African American patients and there are countless reasons for this, such as faulty equipment, complexity of condition, communication problems and limited testing. Most African Americans live in an underprivileged area with finite resources, access and money. When comparing these areas to more affluent regions you can see a disparaging healthcare gap, hindering the community. Misdiagnosis gives space to unconscious bias from clinicians and distrust of the healthcare system from patients who generally and genuinely need the medicine. This simple misstep can lead to extreme outcomes like mistreatment and death. I want to close that gap as much as possible for
underrepresented groups with use of secure and reliable equipment and therapeutics. As well as use my knowledge and bring it to the community’s youth. This will further minimize the
gap, encouraging minority children to take matters into their own hands and make a change, not to wait for others to do it for them.

My career goal is to be a Biomedical Engineer, developing medical equipment and technology that is more accessible and affordable for all communities, not cheaper in quality but in price. The fact that some people aren’t able to be treated or decide to not seek medical help because of bills is distressing. Healthcare should be accessible for all! Medicine and healing in the 21st century shouldn’t come at an unacceptably expensive price. Starting at the inception of Tissue engineering and Bioentrepreneurship I can comprehend the collaboration between bench work and business finding the best solution in lowering the cost of healthcare.

I am a personable team player with excellent leadership, technical, decision-making and organizational skills. I am accustomed to challenging and fast paced environments where handling multiple tasks is essential.

Other than science, I enjoy spending quality time with my family. I love to sing, go on nature walks, read and perform. In my free time I enjoy volunteering, doing hair and crocheting.

SAnderson at Howard University Thirkield Hall steps