Leah Gaeta, Biology to Mechanical Engineering

Leah Gaeta loves baseball. As a student-athlete during her undergraduate education at the University of Southern California, Leah enjoyed being active and prioritizing her physical health. She graduated from the university with a degree in biology on the premedical track. After taking a biomechanics course, however, she realized her true calling was elsewhere: engineering.

“I realized that engineering isn’t always about building buildings or going to space. There’s an element of engineering that intersects with the human body and the biological sciences,” said Leah.

When Leah joined BU’s LEAP, she dove headfirst into the world of mechanical engineering. In her foundational course work, each class sparked a new level of exploration. In the mechanical engineering manufacturing courses, Leah immersed herself in learning about cutting edge technologies. “Those class projects taught me the importance of making a product that is both functional and aesthetic,” said Leah. Her mechanical engineering classes inspired her to pursue independent research focusing on soft robotics. This work prepared her for the challenges that come with manufacturing customizable products. Leah’s classes and research led her to find her true passion: assistive devices and wearable technology. 

“This research field blends my athletic background with my engineering focus,” said Leah. “I want to engineer devices that can help people move better and allow them to take ownership of their own health.”

Leah has had the opportunity to work as a teaching assistant for a required introductory engineering course, Introduction to Programming for Engineers. This job allows Leah to tap into another one of her passions: academia. 

“I’ve always been drawn to teaching, so the TA position allows me to combine my love of programming and also develop my teaching skills,” said Leah. 

Leah has always felt a pull toward academia over industry. She attributes her passion for research to her mother, who raised her to think critically and ask many questions. In December Leah was admitted to BU’s PhD program in Mechanical Engineering, where she plans to delve deeper into her research interests. “I never wanted the desk job,” she said. “I see myself in research — exploring, understanding, asking questions. Research allows you to chip away at questions and learn more and more.” 

Leah believes that the BU LEAP community has pushed her to where she is today. “It’s a pretty great community,” Leah said. “You make friends, you help each other with homework, you work on projects together.” Leah is confident that LEAP has equipped her with the tools necessary to achieve success on her upcoming academic journey.