BMES Board Spotlight: Griffith Hughes!

Meet Griffith Hughes! Griff is a 3rd-year Bioengineering major as well as one of our Academic Co-Chairs. Read on to learn more about him!

​How'd you hear about BMES?

I first learned about BMES after playing BEngo at the discover engineering day, and again at the Fall General Meeting my freshman year.

How long have you been involved with BMES?

I've been involved in BMES since freshman year (I have awkward photos from that point in my life to prove it). I started out as a general member on the pulse ox build team and applied to join the finance committee in the Fall. Even though it didn't work out, I joined BMES board as a family head my second year. I applied because of the amazing experience I had in my BMES mentorship family freshman year (Shout-out to Natalie and the rest of Alanine). Now, I am one of the two Academic Chairs in BMES.

What are your primary responsibilities as Academic Co-Chair?

The BMES Academic Chairs help students figure out their four-year and postgraduate plans. We connect undergraduates with alumni and host panels to learn from professors and graduate students.

What do you enjoy most about your position?

I enjoy meeting people and learning more about bioengineering from our undergraduates, alumni, and professors. It's also great to talk with the freshman and sophomores and help them plan their schedules; I remember how overwhelming it was.

What's one thing you've learned from being Academic Co-Chair?

Everyone's path through college is different. It's easy to get caught up in what — and how much — everyone else seems to be doing. Take the time to think about what makes you feel fulfilled; you need a why to make a how.

Favorite BMES memory?

​A tough question; I feel like there are a bunch that immediately come to mind. I think the most memorable was eating KBBQ at the beginning of Fall quarter, freshman year. I got to meat –hehe– a bunch of new people and it helped me transition to college. Good food and good people.

Favorite class you've taken at UCLA?

This is another tough question. I'd like to exercise my fifth amendment right to avoid self-incrimination.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to cook food and then eat it :) — especially desserts. I also enjoy running, surfing, reading, hiking, and generally just being outside. I started to juggle this summer and I've been practicing so that I can do it while looking someone in the eye; the ultimate power move.

Describe yourself as a Care Bear.

You know the color of the sky when it's tinted with grey clouds? That's my Care Bear Color™. My belly badge would be a cloud and it would give me the power to make it rain. I would use it to clear the air and get that amazing rainy smell.

Anything else you'd like to share?

My favorite poem is called "The Man in the Glass" and I highly encourage everyone to read it.