Student testimonials about the Summer Costa Rica Experience, the GMI program itself, or some of the experiences that students have participated in:
“Over my summer in GMI, I had the opportunity to intern at the Hospital Nacional de Niños in San José, Costa Rica. My mentor was a neurologist, and I spent most of my time observing as he conducted outpatient visits or rounds on patients in the hospital. I also prototyped an improved headpiece for long-term Doppler ultrasound studies. I really enjoyed the opportunity to immerse myself in the clinical environment and practice creative design along the way.”
Sarah Blau, MBE (MBE-GMI, ‘24)
“The GMI Program at Rice shaped both my career and life. The experiences I had and lessoned I learned over the course of program was invaluable and unforgettable. It expanded my view of the world, made me a better engineer in the medical engineering field, and taught me important lessons about my own abilities.”
Jeannette Nelson, MBE (MBE-GMI, ’17)
“My goal in joining the GMI program was to start a company – the structure allowed me to lay a strong foundation towards that. And I saw my friends, all with various career aspirations, use the GMI format to set up their achievements too.”
Kunal Shah, MBE (MBE-GMI, ‘22); CEO, Clarasim
“The GMI program provided an unparalleled opportunity to bridge engineering with real-world medical needs, allowing me to develop solutions that directly impact patient care. Through immersive experiences and cross-functional teamwork, I gained a deep understanding of both the technical and human aspects of medical innovation, equipping me to drive meaningful advancements in global healthcare.”
Austin Olvera, MBE (MBE-GMI, ‘21)
“Working at Hospital Nacional de Niños was truly a highlight of the GMI program and an extremely informative experience for my future in medical device needs finding and design. I not only learned a lot about the Biodesign process through experience-based learning in a supportive learning environment, but I was also able to improve my medical Spanish and forge lifelong relationships with an amazing group of doctors and clinicians!”
Travis Dowd, MBE (MBE-GMI, ‘24)
“The Rice GMI program was truly the perfect stepping stone from undergrad into the medical device space. The autonomy you gain as you build and refine your own skills, knowledge and projects prepares you for work outside the academic sphere, and the ability to excel in your chosen niche. One aspect I have truly appreciated was the fast-paced approach to med device design which delved deeper into the work required to get a device from idea matrix through manufacturing. The ‘bonus’ exposure to project management and quality requirements not only helped me decide where in the device space I could see myself thriving, but also gave me a leg-up in transitioning into this heavily regulated industry. Finally, the program was excellent for building connections; not only was outreach within the industry encouraged, but amazing individuals became both mentors and stakeholders to our projects.”
Maggie Jukes, MBE (MBE-GMI, ’21)
“I appreciated the collaborative, non-competitive nature of this course, an environment important for effective engineering teamwork and innovation. It felt highly personalized, allowing us to create meaningful connections with alumni, professors, and classmates—relationships that have continued well beyond the program.”
Jhalak Mehta, MBE (MBE-GMI, ’23)
“Attending SWE21 was a great opportunity to meet face-to-face with major medical device companies I’d otherwise probably never have the chance to speak with.”
Savannah Esteve Morrealle, MBE (MBE-GMI, ’22)
“The GMI program was invaluable in preparing me for a career in the medical device industry through its combination of directly relevant coursework and hands-on project/internship experience. I am extremely grateful for my year in the program and believe it helped shape me into a better engineer!”
Abby Dowse, MBE (MBE-GMI, ’24)
“One of my favorite experiences in GMI was visiting Brownsville, Texas and engaging in clinical needs finding in a resource-limited region of the United States. I was fascinated to explore one of the key notable health issues there, Type 2 Diabetes, through a visit to the Brownsville Wellness Coalition Urban Farm, the Knapp Medical Center, and through accompanying community health workers on patient-home visits. While the experience-based learning inside the classroom furthered my technical skills and understanding of medical device design, opportunities like this allowed me to personally investigate needs and constraints, firsthand, associated with identifying unmet clinical needs. Engaging in clinical immersion outside of the hospital facilitated interactions with non-clinicians and provided me with a unique insight into the day-to-day routine of a patient’s life with Type 2 Diabetes. GMI has made me a more inquisitive engineer which has allowed me to make more meaningful contributions to the healthcare space.”
Raniyah Nathani, MBE (MBE-GMI, ’23)
“GMI allowed me the unique perspective in seeing the intersection between culture and underserved needs. Developing solutions with the end-user in mind is essential to the engineering process and GMI emphasizes what many industries neglect. “
Josh Raju, MBE (MBE-GMI, ’18)
Other feedback from students:
“This program gave me the necessary insight and tools to get me the job I am in today. Before coming into the program, I had never heard of systems engineering; because of the program, I am now in a fulfilling role that is setting me up to achieve my short- and long-term career goals.”
“Try to put yourself out there and take advantage of all of Rice’s opportunities; 1 year will pass by in the blink of an eye.”