Anderson Engineering Scholarship

My name is Brandon Foster, and I am a recent graduate of the Class of 2024, of which I was named valedictorian of my school. Ever since I was little, I have always been passionate about figuring out how things work and why they work. This passion shifted into a love for machines and automobiles since they had me the most curious as to how they work. The men in my family have a lot of history dealing with fields relating to welding, mechanics, and engineering, so I have had tons of exposure to these areas. It also helped that there were highly experienced members of my community who were more than willing to take me on to learn, one of which happened to be an auto shop called Mr. Phil's Auto Shop, which has been around for over a decade. When combined with my passions, I winded up wanting to follow suit and become an engineer as well. One of my greatest aspirations is to secure the necessary resources and funding to pursue a college education. By acquiring knowledge and skills in a field that aligns with my passions and interests, I aim to equip myself with the tools needed for a successful career and a better lifestyle. Through this endeavor, I seek to demonstrate to my younger brother the transformative power of education and how it can open doors to new possibilities and improved circumstances. My heartfelt desire is to create a better life for myself and uplift my family and community along the way. By striving for success and actively seeking opportunities, I hope to inspire others from similar backgrounds to believe in their own potential and pursue their dreams wholeheartedly. I firmly believe that when one person succeeds, it creates a domino effect that spreads to others. As I delve into the intricacies of mechanics, thermodynamics, and design, I envision a future where I can apply this knowledge to address pressing challenges that affect the automotive industry. From analyzing the problems with engine failures in Kia Motors' vehicles to transmission issues in Ford vehicles, I aspire to stand at the forefront of these innovations, collaborating with like-minded individuals to shape a future where our technological progress serves humanity and the environment. I have seen many examples of individuals not being able to afford repairs for their vehicles because of faulty decisions made by manufacturers. I myself have been the subject of this, as my family went months without a mode of transportation due to maintenance needing to be done to our car. As someone who grew up in a small town, within a low-income community and was raised by a single parent, I understand firsthand the challenges and obstacles that can arise. However, I firmly believe that our circumstances do not define our future; rather, it is our determination, resilience, and the positive examples we set that pave the way for a better tomorrow. In five years, I will have graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. It will, without a doubt, be the greatest accomplishment I have completed in my entire academic career. I plan to use this accreditation to obtain a job as an automotive engineer. I want to design and produce the vehicles that are being driven by millions of people and help ensure that they are safe, long-lasting, and affordable. It has also been a dream of mine to own my own auto mechanic shop as well, and maybe one day start a business that deals with a specific specialization like engines or brakes.

I’m thinking engineering as a path of career because when I was younger my father used to give me some engineering problems to solve or he gave me some examples of what an engineer would do and he also told me stories of the engineers he worked with. My father knew this stuff because he was a machinist and worked very closely to some engineers. This inspired me and made interested in solving problems in an engineer's manner. From there on since I was young I’ve been exploring different engineering career paths. It wasn’t until middle school that I’ve found what path of engineering I was going to take. That path was in Chemical Engineering. I chose this path because I’ve always enjoyed science as my favorite subject and Chemistry was something that always interested me after taking a class in middle school. So from that I managed to learn about chemical engineering and was able to learn in engineering and chemistry which is something I love to do. My current career path is in chemical engineering but I would like to pursue a higher degree and obtain my Ph.D in Pharmaceutical Engineering or Biomedical Engineering. I say this because I’ve gained a huge interest since high school in drug delivery and the creation drugs. Since starting in my undergraduate career I was involved in 2 research projects, one in drug targeting for influenza done during the summer heading into my sophomore year at the University of Pittsburgh and the other being in drug treatment for neuroblastoma done during my sophomore year at New Mexico Tech my home institution. Both of these were done within my first twos of undergrad and I plan on continuing in my current research lab in drug treatment for neuroblastoma at my home institution. I’ve also got another research project I’m joining this summer at Virginia Commonwealth University. With the research I’ve been conducting, I gained a huge interest in drug delivery in cancer research. I say this because cancer is something so many people may have experienced or know someone who has and I want to be a part of making a treatment that can help combat these diseases. This is my main goal in my career and why I chose my path in engineering. My research I’ve done so far both fall under engineering. Both of these research projects and my upcoming research project are all hands on in the engineering field. For my research done at the University of Pittsburgh, it was hands-on research using computational methods as well as engineering methods such as creating the code, interaction network, and etc. I used the program called RStudio to create a Protein-Protein Interaction Network to find which proteins are best to target influenza using data from a research paper that had patient sample data of the genes. For my research done at New Mexico Tech my home institution it was hands-on in a wet lab setting meaning I was actually working with chemicals and drugs during my time in the lab. In lab I’ve done chemistry synthesis to create the drug and from there we used engineering aspects to create lipids using the drug so it can be packaged into liposomes for neuroblastoma treatment. In this lab I’ve use Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), UV-VIS, Thin Layer a Chromatography (TLC), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR).

I am considering engineering as a career path because of my city and where I am from. I have lived in Washington, D.C., my whole life, and as I grew older, I noticed that there were always issues with the roads, buildings, and the city's infrastructure. The frequent construction projects and traffic delays, while sometimes frustrating, sparked my interest in how things are built and maintained. Observing the intricate interplay between urban development and the daily lives of residents made me realize the vital role engineers play in shaping our cities. Some Hands-on engineering experience that I have are from some engineering classes I took while in High School. I have participated in the following courses Principles of Enigineering, Introduction to Engineering Design, and Aerospace Engineering. I have also Participated in 1 month internship with Raytheon Technologies learning more about engineering and what exactly engineers do. In the fall of 2024, I will be majoring in Civil Engineering at Temple University. In addition, witnessing the impact of social equity issues in urban environments has solidified my desire to pursue engineering. Infrastructure inequities, such as poorly maintained roads in underserved neighborhoods or limited access to public transport, can significantly affect residents' quality of life. I aspire to work on projects that enhance access and equity, ensuring that all communities benefit from well-designed infrastructure. This commitment to social responsibility is integral to my vision of what it means to be an engineer. Furthermore, my experiences volunteering in community service projects have given me a deeper appreciation for the tangible difference that engineering can make. Helping to build playgrounds and community gardens in underserved areas has shown me firsthand how thoughtful design can create spaces that foster community engagement and well-being. These experiences have strengthened my resolve to pursue a career in engineering, where I can combine technical skills with a passion for community service. In conclusion, my lifelong experience in Washington, D.C., has profoundly shaped my desire to pursue engineering. The city’s unique blend of historical significance and modern challenges presents an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact. As I consider the role of engineers in creating resilient, sustainable, and equitable urban environments, I am inspired to contribute to a future where cities can thrive for generations to come. I believe that by becoming an engineer, I can play a key role in addressing the infrastructure challenges facing my city and ultimately improve the quality of life for its residents.

The scent of oil and metal wasn't perfume, but to my eight-year-old self, it was the intoxicating aroma of a world waiting to be built. My great-grandfather, Pop, a man whose hands bore the wisdom of countless creations, held a rusty wrench in mine. It wasn't heavy, but it felt momentous, a key to unlocking a universe of invention. Pop, with his twinkling eyes and grease-stained overalls, wasn't just tinkering with a car engine; he was showing me the magic of engineering. Fast forward a decade, and that childhood fascination hasn't faded. It's transformed into a burning desire to pursue engineering as a career. But my interest isn't just fueled by childhood memories. Summers spent shadowing my stepfather, a civil engineer, haven't been filled with textbooks and lectures. They've been crash courses in the real world – the thrill of watching blueprints come to life as towering bridges took shape, the meticulous planning behind ensuring a new neighborhood had a strong foundation. Witnessing firsthand the dedication and creativity required to build the world around us solidified my passion. Unlike a formal co-op program, these summer experiences were raw and unfiltered. I wasn't just observing; I was actively involved. Holding surveying equipment under the scorching sun, feeling the satisfying thud of a hammer driving a nail, these weren't tasks for show – they were opportunities to understand the nuts and bolts, the literal and figurative, of engineering. But engineering isn't just about physical construction. It's about problem-solving, about finding innovative solutions to challenges. During a school science fair, faced with the task of building the strongest bridge possible using limited materials, my team and I delved into the world of tension and compression forces. The thrill of our bridge defying expectations, holding more weight than any other, wasn't just about winning; it was about the satisfaction of applying engineering principles to a success story. These experiences, both with my great-grandfather and my stepfather, have instilled in me a deep appreciation for the impact engineers have on our lives. From the sturdy bridges we cross daily to the life-saving medical equipment in hospitals, engineering is a silent language that shapes the world we live in. It's more than just a career path; it's a chance to be a creator, an innovator, someone who leaves their mark on the world, not with words, but with structures, systems, and solutions that improve lives. The calloused hands I might have in the future won't just be a testament to hard work, but a symbol of the dreams I nurtured with that rusty wrench so many years ago. Engineering isn't just about building – it's about building a future, brick by innovative brick. And that's the future I'm excited to be a part of.

Questions are followed by answers. A simple yes or no. What happens when neither is the case? As a child, I quizzed my parents on every question imaginable. Some were answered with grace, but the mind-boggling ones faced the dreaded phrase, “I Don't Know.” Being a stickler for answers, I decided that was insufficient. So, this followed another challenge for my parents, the big “WHY?” Once again, I confronted the opponent, “I don't know.” As birthdays passed, more questions arose and more people were questioned, but they all led me back to the same foe, “I don't know.” To not know, means to be unaware of something, and to be unaware of something means to be blissfully ignorant of the world of wondrous possibility we live in. How could I possibly live a full life without trying to grasp everything the unknown has to offer? It is difficult to stick to the script given for living life. “If you could choose one thing when you grow up, what would you want to be?” This question often stumped me as the answers are ever changing in my young mind. I’ve considered fields that range from the land and sea to the stars; architect, engineer, marine biologist, cinematographer, aerospace engineer, astrophysicist. The list goes on. All these wondrous options presented to me yet I felt limited to one. Hence, I decided to engineer my own path. There is one thing all these careers have in common; It is the act of discovering the untapped troves of information of the unknown. I do not wish to waste the one life I am granted focused on one aspect of the marvelous world we live in. I endeavor to see and explore everything this planet has to offer using sustainable practices, in so giving back to Mother Nature. My passion for designand improvement revealed itself through my scribbles and drawings, later becoming cardboard models of houses, cartoon characters, structures, and a water dispenser, created out of cardboard and a syringe. To date, my most recent accomplishment is one I am most proud of. Recognized nationally, I received a ranking of 14th on the, ‘Territorial Merit List of Trinidad and Tobago,’ for the subject Technical Drawing(Mechanical). This recognition is not only a privilege but demonstrates my connection to a subject dedicated to design and improvement, which has been a large motivation for my future goals and the paths I wish to take in life. Today our planet and way of life is rapidly deteriorating. How can we mend such damage without leaving every stone unturned? It is our job as mankind to look after the animals and ecosystems that we share this land with. Therefore, I look forward to pursuing mechanical engineering and broadening my experiences by learning different subjects so that I may pursue the path of research. I wish to tap into our potential to better our planet and one day be a voice of change who can bring together society, as we work towards a goal of knowledge and sustainability.