Tate Chatfield's Journey from Biomedical Engineering to International Impact
"I want to do everything that sounds interesting."
These are the words of Tate Chatfield, a recent graduate of the University of California, Davis, Department of Biomedical Engineering. Chatfield's many diverse interests range from biomedical imaging research to active involvement in student organizations to learning a foreign language.
Her goal is to coalesce the learning and growth from these unique experiences to make an impact abroad.
"As an Aggie Engineer, I hope to create positive change in the world," said Chatfield.
As an undergraduate student researcher in the Godinez Lab, led by Assistant Professor of Radiology Felipe Godinez, Chatfield is focused on the imaging of the human body and animals, such as X-ray, PET, MRI and CT scans. Her lab work aims to translate innovative in vivo medical imaging techniques from laboratory research to clinical application.
Chatfield is developing the data processing pipeline for a state-of-the-art PET insert of a 7T MRI scanner that will lead to more quantitative molecular imaging methods to better investigate brain cancer biology, treatment development and image cancer biomarkers. She also helped put together a video for the MRI research groups at UC Davis for the ISMRM World Map.
"I am working on a PET-MR combined scanner project with professors from the Department of Radiology and a senior design project for engineering, specifically working on an upper extremity suspension device," explained Chatfield.
In addition to her biomedical engineering studies and related research, Chatfield is pursuing minors in materials science and Chinese. She is eager to explore the nexus of engineering and materials through advanced studies in biomedical engineering in Taiwan or Singapore after graduating from UC Davis.
Beyond the classroom and lab, Chatfield is actively involved in several student organizations at UC Davis.
She is the president of the CA-Lambda chapter of Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society, and relies on her dedication and organizational skills to plan events and increase their visibility on campus.
"My leadership role has provided me with the opportunity to bring people together and create meaningful experiences for the members of Tau Beta Pi," said Chatfield.
Chatfield's commitment to community, diversity, equity and inclusion is demonstrated through participation in Mariachi Los Mesteños, a mariachi class on campus, Mixed Student Union and the Strategic Asian and Pacific Islander Retention Initiative. She also led the undergraduate subcommittee of the Health, Equity, and Wellness Committee in the Department of Biomedical Engineering.
Chatfield is already making strides toward an international impact through an internship with the U.S. Department of State, where she assists and supports understanding Chinese Diasporas in Latin America.
Chatfield's future plans involve taking a gap year after graduation to explore various opportunities and continue her Chinese language studies. She is considering pursuing a master's degree in international policy, potentially through programs such as the Schwarzman Scholars in Beijing or at Nanyang Technical University in Singapore.
Chatfield has a passion for STEM fields and is keeping her options open, even considering further education in a field related to international relations.
"Embracing diverse opportunities and challenges has broadened my perspective and fueled my passion for lifelong learning," explained Chatfield. "I am excited to continue exploring new horizons and making meaningful contributions to the global community."