Meet the BAE Ambassadors

BAE faculty and staff select students for ambassadorship who exhibit leadership skills in and out of the classroom and because of their outstanding academic achievements. The student ambassadors represent the department at university-sponsored events such as open house, majors fairs, Women and Minorities in Engineering Programs events and Spend a Day at State visits.

Ambassadors also participate in the the first year engineering info session where freshman engineering students are invited into Weaver Labs to watch research demonstrations and engage with current BAE students, faculty and staff.

“They are all so impressive and represent BAE so well,” says student services coordinator Heather Austin, who also oversees the ambassador program. “Now that we are able to connect in person again, it has been really rewarding to watch this group share their enthusiasm for BAE and NC State with other prospective students.”

The ambassadors are invited to remain in their role until graduation.

 

Walt Bailey

Hometown: Rowland, NC

Major: B.S. Biological and Agricultural Engineering Technology; B.S. Agricultural Business Management

Bio: “I’m from a family farm in the southeastern part of the state. I have always been a huge NC State fan ever since I was kid. I love talking to people about both NC State and its agricultural engineering programs!”

Interesting Fact About Yourself: I’m the 13th person in my family to attend NC State.

Zoe Chavis

Hometown: Nashville, TN

Major: B.S. Biological Engineering with a Ecological concentration; minor in Entomology

Bio: “I am a junior in Biological Engineering with a minor in Entomology. My experience includes being a lab assistant on campus and being a lab and fieldwork assistant with the NCDA. After graduating, I’m interested in pursuing a graduate degree with the hopes of learning more about ecological niches in freshwater environments. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, hiking, climbing, and looking for bugs.”

Interesting Fact About Yourself: “I go backpacking whenever I get the chance.”

Atharv Dixit

Hometown: Morrisville, NC

Major: B.S. Biological Engineering

Bio: “I’m a Biological Engineering major at NC State University. I’m interested in bio-processing, biomass conversion, and pharmaceutical research. I have industry experience working at Marken Ltd. in pharma-supply chain/quality assurance. My passion lies in healthcare and medicine, and I work part-time as a Habilitation Technician with Maxim Healthcare Services. After graduation, I plans to pursue graduate school in a bio-engineering or healthcare discipline.”

Interesting Fact About Yourself: “I’m fluent in five languages including English, Gujarati, Marathi, Hindi and Sanskrit.”

Gabe Duncan

Hometown: New Bern, NC

Major: B.S. Biological and Agricultural Engineering Technology with an Environmental Systems Management concentration

Bio: “I love being outdoors, listening to music, and spending time with my friends. You can usually find me hiking in a park like William B. Umstead; listening to some Kanye, Young Dolph, Don Toliver, and Baby Keem; or arguing about Fantasy Football with my roommates. Usually some combination of the three! I love being able to be an Ambassador and help students learn about how amazing the BAE Department is!”

Interesting Fact About Yourself: “I have been sky diving, but have never been on a commercial flight.”

Catherine Gamewell

Hometown: Morganton,NC

Major: B.S. Biological and Agricultural Engineering with a Ecological concentration

Bio: “I am interested in wetlands and how they improve water quality. I am involved in the Goodnight Scholars Program and am a trip leader for a service trip through the program over spring break. When I’m not studying you can find me backpacking, climbing or swimming.”

Interesting Fact About Yourself: “I enjoy open water swimming, and I went for my first lake swim in January this year.”

Laura Gomez Rodriguez

Hometown: Asheboro, NC

Major: B.S. Biological Engineering with an Environmental concentration

Bio: “I’m particularly interested in water quality and have chosen this as my grand challenge as an NAE Grand Challenge Scholar. I’m also involved with the Women and Minority Engineering Program as a mentor. I plan to go to grad school to combine my engineering interests with public policy.”

Interesting Fact About Yourself: “I was born in Bogota, Colombia!”

June Khongpatimakorn

Hometown: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Major: B.S. Biological Engineering with a Bioprocessing Engineering concentration; minor in Biomanufacturing

Bio: “I was raised and born in Thailand. I am a senior in Biological Engineering major with Bioprocessing Engineering concentration and a minor in Biomanufactoring (BTEC). I came to the U.S. when I was a junior in high school as an exchange student in Wilson, NC.”

Interesting Fact About Yourself: “I am a certified in 200-hour Yoga Teach Training, draw and sell digital stickers online, play piano and used to sing in high school.”

Emory New

Hometown: Nash County, NC

Major: M.S. in Microbial Biotechnology; B.S. in Biological and Agricultural Engineering with a Bioprocess Engineering concentration

Bio: “I am dedicated to making a positive impact on others by helping them find their passion; just as I have found mine. To live out my passion of bridging the gap between the producer and the consumer I had the pleasure of interning at Kornegay Family Farms and Produce this summer. Here, I was able to learn firsthand the hard work, dedication, and technology it takes to sustainably produce the food, fiber, and fuel the world consumes EVERYDAY!”

Interesting Fact About Yourself: “I studied abroad in Oaxaca, Mexico where we were able to learn about a developing country’s agricultural systems and land stewardship programs!”

Christopher Oates

Hometown: Clinton, NC

Major: B.S. in Biological and Agricultural Engineering Technology; B.S. Environmental Sciences; minor Agricultural Business Management

Bio: “I’m interested in finding the intersection and bridging the gap between science and communication. I am happy to say that NC State has allowed me to explore my academic interests along with many other personal adventures. After graduation, I hope to use my undergrad and graduate experiences to solve real-world environmental and societal issues.”

Interesting Fact About Yourself: “I’m a blue belt in Taekwondo.”

Paige Seibert

Hometown: Clear Spring, MD

Major: B.S. in Biological Engineering

Bio: “At NC State, I am heavily involved in the Park Scholarships Program, undergraduate research, SciBridge, and club tennis. In the future, I hope to obtain a Ph.D. in Biological Engineering or Engineering Education and become a professor at a research university.”

Interesting Fact About Yourself: “I grew up on a dairy farm that is completely powered by solar energy!”