The final deadline for the ESTEEM application is quickly approaching (April 10). We had a chance to catch up with some admitted students. Check out thoughts from some of the entrepreneurial talent that will be at Notre Dame and in South Bend next year!
What degrees will you hold when ESTEEM starts and from where?
B.S. Biomedical Engineering: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis
Minor Mathematics: Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis
Where are you from?
Bluffton, IN
How were you first drawn to entrepreneurship?
The summer of 2014, I worked as an intern at a start-up orthopedic company. Prior to starting my internship, I was familiar with entrepreneurship, but never gave it much thought or consideration in my future career plans. During the internship, I was now inspired to explore this exciting realm of entrepreneurship. As I continued to work and observe these individuals, my overall experience in the start-up environment seemed less like a job and more like a way of life. The people were extremely dedicated and passionate about what they were trying to accomplish. Being in this setting for only three short months motivated me to learn more about the opportunities entrepreneurship has to offer. The challenge, hard work, dedication, and passion of being an entrepreneur drove me towards entrepreneurship.
What activity is the best for de-stressing?
I have recently found a new hobby doing geocaching. Living in Indianapolis, there are many geocaches within walking distance around the downtown area. I find this is a good way to de-stress, have fun with friends, and be adventurous all at the same time. I would highly recommend geocaching to anyone who is looking to explore the area right around you. It is exciting to find a geocache in a location you have walked or have driven by many times before not even realizing there was something hidden waiting to be found.
Are you working on anything exciting right now? What is it?
As part of completing my graduation requirements, I must incorporate much of the knowledge I have gained over the past four years and apply it to a team senior design project. I am on a team of five individuals designing and building a polymer mixing and dispensing system. The end result of the dispensing system is to create individual 200 μL samples of cell encapsulated hydrogels. This is a great project because it incorporates many of the engineering disciplines: computer, electrical, mechanical, and biomedical engineering. As a biomedical engineer, you are trained to not only understand biological processes but also important mechanical, electrical, and material properties needed to design medical related technologies. What makes this project so spectacular is it showcases the versatility of being a biomedical engineer.
ABBEY STANTANELLO
What degrees will you hold when ESTEEM starts and from where?
Pre Med and Economics B.A. in from Notre Dame!!!
Where are you from?
Columbus, Ohio
How were you first drawn to entrepreneurship?
My dad! When I entered college, I was purely a Biology major with every intention of heading straight to medical school. However, throughout college, my dad and I have collaborated on some small business ventures that have sparked an entrepreneurial spirit in myself. Today, we are often bouncing ideas off each other in hopes of coming up with "the next best thing."
What are you most looking forward to in the ESTEEM program?
I am beyond excited for all of the opportunities in the ESTEEM Program. I think it offers a "take it, and run with it" mentality, meaning that if you find something that you are passionate about and are a driven individual, ESTEEM offers the resources for you to make your dream a reality. As a Pre-Med and Economics student at Notre Dame, I am finding that ESTEEM is the perfect combination of my passions, and it will afford me the opportunity to delve deeper into each one to not only intersect medicine with entrepreneurship but to also discover my vocation.
Undoubtedly, Notre Dame has had the biggest impact on me. It is difficult to articulate the influence that my time here has had on the person I am as well as my ambitions, goals, and the person I aim to become. I've found that the best way to truly show the impact is to recall the girl I was before entering college and compare her to the young lady who is about to graduate from Notre Dame. I am beyond grateful not only for the opportunities that Notre Dame has offered me, but also the formative experiences that have helped me develop my morals, values, and discern my vocation in the world!
What activity is the best for de-stressing?
I love running! It has been a great outlet for me during college, and I'm so lucky to be able to run around such a beautiful campus everyday. I just accomplished the Holy Half, which is my second half marathon.
TIMOTHY JACQUE
What degrees will you hold when ESTEEM starts and from where?
When ESTEEM starts I will have a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University and concentrations in Computer Science and Supply Chain Management.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.
How were you first drawn to entrepreneurship?
When I was a kid I more or less stumbled into it on accident and realized it was a thing. I started my own lawn mowing business during high school, and I thought it was weird that people would rather get a minimum wage job than to try something bold and creative. I’ve always had a desire to forge my own path.
I am looking forward to meeting and working with some of the brightest minds in the country. This is an amazing opportunity and I cannot wait to get started.
What place has had the biggest impact on you and why?
Last summer I studied abroad in Rome, Italy. It was an eye opening six week adventure. During my time abroad I traveled throughout Italy, but the place that had the most impact on me was The Vatican. It was a humbling experience to see St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square and the Sistine Chapel. Studying abroad in Rome opened my mind and strengthened my faith.
JON FREISE
What degrees will you hold when ESTEEM starts and from where?
A Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, Minor in Philosophy from Boston College.
Where are you from?
I was born in Minneapolis, MN, but I grew up in San Francisco.
What are you most looking forward to in the ESTEEM program?
I am most excited about learning the application of business knowledge and how this can be translated into a career as a physician. With an ESTEEM education, I hope to expand my horizons in medicine as well as prepare myself to be a leader in the health care field.
What activity is the best for de-stressing?
Working out is definitely my favorite activity for de-stressing. By getting the blood flowing throughout my body, I am able to both clear my mind of any distractions and replenish my energy.
Are you working on anything exciting right now? What is it?
I am currently taking an advanced chemistry course called Drug Development and Discovery, which is unlike most traditional chemistry courses offered. For the final paper, I am in a hypothetical situation as a CEO of a drug developing company. I am given $50 million dollars of funding and my task is to move my drug of interest from concept to commercialization. This begins with developing the drug with any innovative techniques and ends with planning out clinical trials.