Indianapolis profile: David Chin

What are you studying at Purdue?

Biomedical engineering with depth areas in electrical instrumentation and imaging modalities in the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering.

What have been your favorite classes so far?

Biomaterials and Bioinstrumentation have both been fascinating classes. Having professional work experience through internships in medical device development and client-facing programs, I was exposed to these concepts in the field and was able to relate a lot of my coursework to these experiences.

Why did you choose to come to Indianapolis?

Having been given the option to choose between the two campuses, I came into college with the mindset of developing myself professionally through my proximity to industry giants like Eli Lilly and Company and emerging hard-tech development companies like Glassboard, which I previously interned at. My proximity to the city itself allowed me to attend more professional networking events, experience a city campus vibe and try better culinary options. The airport is also 15 minutes away from campus, so traveling either back home or on a trip with friends is easy.

What has your experience been like getting an early connection to industry in Indianapolis?

Wonderful. Not only was I exposed to several industry pipelines, but I was also exposed to academic research from both Purdue’s engineering program and the IU Health (Indiana University Health) system. Getting involved in these experiences was a lot easier due to smaller class sizes.

What career field are you pursuing and why?

I’m looking to pursue a career in neural engineering or medical devices for novel products. I find myself the most productive and fulfilled when working on subjects within this field due to the immediate impact such devices could have on people.

I interned at Spacelabs Healthcare in Seattle, a vertically integrated medical device manufacturer, and was given engineering projects that allowed me to hone my technical skills. Due to my performance, I was given a return offer and went back as the senior intern to help mentor others while working on client-facing projects.

Are you part of any clubs or student activities? If so, which ones? Has that participation enhanced your college experience?

Absolutely! I was a co-founder of the Purdue in Indianapolis Medical Association, a club dedicated to fostering a community for those interested in the intersection of engineering, data science and healthcare. I’ve been the events coordinator since fall 2024, and I’ve aimed to provide professional networking opportunities; educational resources to help students learn about the healthcare field; and hands-on experiences through guest speakers, engineering workshops and volunteer initiatives.

Outside of school and work, what are some of the things you enjoy about being in Indianapolis?

I enjoy the proximity to cities like Chicago, Nashville, etc. I also enjoy going to Colts and Pacers games. From a student life standpoint, I’ve been a part of the IU Indianapolis Club Tennis team, where I’ve had the opportunity to travel to Michigan, Ohio and various parts of Indiana for competitions.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a research institution ranked among the top 10 public universities in the United States. More than 111,000 students study at Purdue across multiple campuses, including more than 57,000 at our main campus locations in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. As a land-grant university committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 14 years in a row, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free.