Jenny Amos

Teaching Associate Professor in Bioengineering at the University of Illinois

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Anyone can do STEM. You can do it!

WHAT DO YOU DO?

I am a professor. This means that I teach the next generation of engineers about the bioengineering profession and also conduct research to further advance bioengineering and bioengineering education.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS FIELD?

I fell off of a second story balcony when I was 15 and had several reconstructive back surgeries that leveraged advanced in tissue engineering. This fueled my interest in bioengineering and i decided in high school that this was a field I wanted to be involved in for the rest of my life.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK AT & THINK, "I WISH YOUNGER ME WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WAS POSSIBLE?"

As a professor, I travel the world teaching others and talking about my research. I have been to 5 continents and even spent some time living abroad in France for a Fulbright Scholarship. I never thought that this was possible as a professor.

WHY DO YOU LOVE WORKING IN STEM?

I love teaching the next generation of engineers and I especially love hearing from them after they graduate. When I get a message from a former student, it reignites my passion and shows me the impact that I am having.

BEST ADVICE FOR NEXT GENERATION?

Anyone can do STEM. I had to work hard (and it was hard!) and I didn't go the best schools or get the best grades. I just followed my passions and worked hard. You can do it!