BMES Board Spotlight: Shikha Mody!

Meet Shikha Mody! Shikha is a 4th-year computer science major as well as our Technical Projects Vice President. Read on to learn more about her!

How'd you hear about BMES?

Freshman year! Enormous Activities Fair! (I was a bioengineering major)

​How long have you been involved with BMES?

Since my freshman year! I joined Build Team at the very beginning of my college career, and that was actually how I realized I loved computer science and ended up switching my major from bioengineering to computer science a few quarters later. I loved my experience on Build Team as well as the content, so I applied to be a project manager (PM) and got that position for the next year! That was the year that our electrocardiogram curriculum became an ENGR 96 class. Along with two other past PMs, we led the inaugural and groundbreaking ENGR 96: Electrocardiogram class, which is completely hands-on and student-led, allowing undergraduate students to gain technical experience in a 2-unit class and collaborative environment. That same year, I was on Design Team where we built a pill bottle timer device. After that, I applied to be a Design Team project manager where the project was a fully-integrated electrocardiogram device, with optimized electrocardiogram measurements and Bluetooth connection with a mobile app. That was a great experience, because both of those made me realize that I love teaching. For my senior year in BMES, I am technical vice president, where I oversee all technical projects and workshops for the club.

What are your primary responsibilities as Technical VP?

My main responsibilities are to oversee and manage all three of our technical project "tracks": Build Team, Design Team, and Cell Team. Along with that, I also manage the technical workshops that we host (ex. CAD, technical interview, Eagle, etc.). As a whole, my job is to make sure the PMs have everything they need to succeed and create really cool projects where everyone in the technical program of BMES learns a lot!

What do you enjoy most about your position?

I really enjoy all of the creativity that comes with technical projects. I think the general impression of "technical" things with circuitry, code, sensors, and things like that is that they aren't very creative, but I think it's the opposite. Hearing about new device ideas from the PMs, brainstorming solutions to problems that we face in the projects, figuring out how to accomplish tasks, all of these things are cornerstones of the technical project process, and all of them rely on creativity. I also love seeing the team members of all of our groups really learn a lot and find aspects that they are passionate about; that is the ultimate goal with tech projects. Engineering is so cool, and I love when people figure that out for themselves and find aspects that they think are really cool. As a whole, I really enjoy the creativity that technical projects brings and the learning process throughout it.

What's one thing you've learned from being Technical VP?

One thing I have learned is the logistical aspect of technical projects. Making one project come together, and then running the entire program, requires a lot of moving parts to align and come together for everyone's success. So I've learned more about the "behind the scenes" aspects of overseeing the programs and making sure we, as BMES, have the resources we need to succeed.

What's your favorite BMES memory?

One of my favorite BMES memories was a mentorship event during my freshman year. We hiked the Mount Hollywood trail! It was really memorable for me because that was an iconic hike, and I made friends with people who I am still friends with today. The experience and the hike itself were incredible.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Music and sports are my main two hobbies. I play piano and volleyball. Along with that, I enjoy working out, spending time outside, and watching TV/movies. Spending time with friends is also a core component of my free time.

Describe yourself as a Care Bear. What color would you be, what's your belly badge, and what power would your badge give you?

I'd be a turquoise Care Bear with a lightbulb belly badge, and maybe I'd come up with really cool ideas of things to build/make!

Anything else you'd like to share?

Fun fact: All executive board members this year (President, Internal VP, External VP, and myself) were on Build Team together during our freshman year!!