Alumni Profile
Elizabeth Van Blarigan

Biomedical Engineering '07

Elizabeth Van Blarigan, an alumna of UC Davis and now in medical school at the University of California-Irvine, is the epitome of success. Her time at Davis was not without rocky beginnings, though. One of her earliest memories is struggling to navigate the bike circles around campus during her first week of classes.

Since entering the university as a biomedical engineering major, Van Blarigan has amassed an impressive resume, including a near-perfect grade point average and being named the M.S. Ghausi Medalist in 2007, the highest academic honor bestowed on a graduating engineer. While UC Davis’s academic reputation was important to her, she says she also was attracted to the laid-back atmosphere and beauty of the campus.

Van Blarigan has dreamed of becoming a doctor for a long time, but took a less traveled route by majoring in engineering. She made the decision, she says, because of her love of math, science and analytical thinking.  Biomedical engineering gave her more exposure to and a greater understanding of the medical devices she now encounters everyday.

UC Davis offers students many opportunities, Van Blarigan says, noting that you get out of such experiences as much as you are willing to put into them.  During her undergraduate years she made time for many activities, from intramural Ultimate Frisby and soccer to the Society of Women Engineers.  Now, as a medical student, she continues to find opportunities for growth and contribution by volunteering with the Flying Samaritans, a group that operates a monthly medical clinic in Mexico.

After medical school, Van Blarigan hopes to work in either primary care or geriatrics, using her constant pursuit of excellence to help others along the way.

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