Lily Watts

Hometown
Birmingham, Alabama

High School
John Carroll Catholic High School

Degree
BS Biological Engineering

Expected Graduation
Spring 2027

What is your favorite thing about being a student at UGA?

My favorite thing about being a student at UGA is the community! Even though this is a big university, the professors do an amazing job of making you feel plugged into the community. Additionally, there are so many different opportunities that allow you to build community with so many different groups of people! There are very few walks on campus where I don’t see somebody I know, whether that is someone from my musical theatre group or a friend from my dorm last year. UGA has a distinct way of making you feel like a unique individual supported in your individual goals while also making you feel like you are part of a larger welcoming community!

Why did you choose engineering?

I chose engineering because I wanted to have a unique take towards biomedical research and medicine in general. I have grown up in a family with many doctors, so I was used to dinner table conversations about medicine, and have wanted to become a doctor myself for as long as I remember. The summer before I started attending UGA, I had the opportunity to volunteer in the Sorace Lab at UAB, a biomedical engineering research lab. Watching the way that these engineers tackled modern day medical problems really inspired me to continue pursuing medicine, but with a slightly different lens- not only the diagnostic, but also the academic. Engineering provides a unique insight by addressing issues and gaps within modern medicine, which is something I didn’t realize I was missing from my dinner-table conversations. I love using technology to solve and model current topics within biomedical research, and I have had the opportunity to continue this passion through my current breast cancer research in the Gomillion Lab at UGA!

Why is it important for the university to have a diverse community?

A diverse community brings diverse ideas and innovation. Within the realm of engineering, we see examples every day of inventions and techniques that would never have been discovered if everyone tackled a problem the same way. I believe that a diverse community will continue to help the university innovate and grow, and contribute to future breakthroughs, both in engineering and beyond.

What has been the greatest challenge you have faced while at UGA, and how did you overcome it?

The greatest challenge I have faced while at UGA was the transition from my high school to UGA my freshman year. I was the only student from my high school to attend, so coming in and having to build a support system from scratch and make new friends was incredibly difficult. Additionally, I am the oldest of five children, so switching from a large, bustling house to a relatively quiet dorm was quite a change. I overcame the struggle of this transition, cliché though it sounds, by continuing to put myself out there and talking to people, especially people in my classes. By building a support system in my more difficult classes, I not only found a way to succeed in these difficult classes, but I also found some of my closest friends!

What have you learned that has made a difference for you?

The thing I have learned that has made the biggest difference for me is that it’s often the things that I put off that allow me to grow. Whether that is a hard assignment, studying for a big test, or scheduling an interview for a research position I really want, I tend to put off the things that cause me to stress. By being honest with myself and recognizing this, I am now able to recognize that a specific assignment or task is causing my stress levels to increase, and I make it a priority to tackle that task first in order to get it off of my plate and prevent the stress from building. This has made a huge difference for me as I am now prioritizing the tasks that long-term make me a better student and engineer while also decreasing my day-to-day stress levels.

Who has helped you become a successful student at UGA?

I have had so many amazing professors that have contributed to my success in so many ways, but the principal investigator of the research lab I am a part of, Dr. Cheryl Gomillion, has especially inspired me to become the best researcher I can. Her experience and insight, as well as her encouragement, has allowed me to become a more confident researcher by pushing me to believe in myself. Ultimately, it has been her leadership that gave me the courage and the skillset necessary to apply for larger scholarships and grants, and it is because of her that I have the opportunity to present a poster of my research at the Biomedical Engineering Society Meeting this October. Her emphasis on scientific reading and writing, not just data acquisition, has allowed me to become a more well-rounded researcher and encouraged me to continue pursuing biomedical research, especially within the field of breast cancer research.

What is your favorite spot on campus and why?

My favorite spot on campus is definitely the Founders Memorial Garden in North Campus! Nature always brings me peace, and the garden is secluded enough that it feels like its own little ecosystem. It is amazing for an outside study break or some time spent studying outside, and you are almost guaranteed to see squirrels and chipmunks!

What has been your favorite class at UGA?

My favorite class at UGA so far has been my FYOS, which was ‘Biohacking 101’, a class looking at genetic engineering within plants. Coming from a background of exclusively biomedical research, I had not explored some of the other applications of biological engineering like a plant biology lens. My professor, Dr. Kvitko, was incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about his research and this class definitely opened my eyes to the sheer scope of possible research within the field of biological engineering.

What has been your best memory at UGA?

My best memory at UGA was definitely my first football game. I grew up watching UGA football and being able to step foot into the stands knowing that I was a student at the school I loved so much was such a surreal experience and one I still look back on with gratitude and awe! Since then, every UGA football game reminds me of that first game experience!

What advice do you have for younger students who wish to pursue engineering?

If you have a passion for a specific field of engineering, it truly makes all the long hours studying and difficult classes worth it. The key is always to keep perspective and remember why you are studying what you are studying- that motivation and determination will allow you to succeed!

How do you hope to impact society with your engineering degree?

Ultimately, my goal is to attend medical school and pursue medicine through a more technological lens. Medicine is a constantly adapting field, and I want to be as well equipped as possible to continue adapting with it. I believe that my studies in engineering will allow me to look at medical problems with a unique lens and help me to bridge the gap between clinical and biomedical researchers and medical practitioners.