Ariana Capati

Class of 2024
Major: Bioengineering
Hometown: Waldorf, MD
High School: North Point High School

What Made You Decide to Attend UMD?

My brother inspired me to attend UMD! I have a twin brother who is a fire protection engineering student. He has been committed to UMD ever since high school. He encouraged me to join the Clark School with him and told me about all of the amazing opportunities that UMD has to offer. I have always had an interest in STEM ever since middle school. I used to be a part of an after-school program called Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA), and one of our tasks was to build a prosthetic arm. This challenge made me realize how fun designing, manufacturing, and prototyping were which developed my love for prosthetics. I decided to pursue a degree in Bioengineering because of my passion for prosthetics and engineering. I believed Bioengineering was the perfect major that combines my two interests together. 

Best Experience with a Class or Project

In ENES100 I worked on a Rube Goldberg where I had to work with four other engineering majors. We split up the work based on our strengths in different aspects of engineering. At the end of the semester, we were not only able to make a successful Rube Goldberg, but we all became close friends that I am still close with today!

Favorite Class In Major

BIOE241: Biocomputational Methods

Favorite Class Out of Major

CPSS240: College Park Scholars: Science, Technology & Society - Service-Learning Practicum

Student Organizations/Extracurricular Activities

Secretary of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
Assistant Coordinator of Scholars Peer Mentors
Desk Associate for 4WORK
Undergraduate Researcher in the Bioinspired Manufacturing Lab

Favorite On-Campus Event

Football games! I love showing my UMD pride every weekend :)

Favorite Research or Study Abroad Experiences

I am currently researching in a mechanical engineering lab called the Bioinspired Advanced Manufacturing lab where I am designing microfluidic fluidic diodes for a prosthetic hand, then 3D printing it using an SLA printer!

Cool Engineering Experience

Before researching in his lab, my lab professor and his team of students played Mario with a 3D Printed Soft Robotic Hand with “Integrated Fluidic Circuitry”. This was such a cool engineering experience that inspired me to join his lab!


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