COSAM News Articles 2019 May COSAM Alumna Focuses on Research and Development with 3D Printing

COSAM Alumna Focuses on Research and Development with 3D Printing

Published: 05/21/2019

By: Hannah Williams

Sarah Jo Crotts, Biomedical Sciences ’15, is currently a research scientist and lab manager in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech, Center for 3D Medical Fabrication. She manufacturers devices in 3D printing labs with a recent focus on the tracheal splint. Sarah Jo is a part of all manufacturing and operations and assists in research and development.  

Although she, like many undergraduates, had a difficult time deciding on a concrete career path while at Auburn, she always felt supported by the College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM). She eventually decided not to pursue medical school, but was confident that COSAM had prepared her for graduate school and that she could take on any challenge thrown her way.

“I always felt surrounded by people that believed in me and now looking back, that was truly all I needed to succeed and do well,” Sarah Jo explained. “When you have mentors that show they are invested in you and your future, it makes it easy and that is what I experienced in COSAM.”

Sarah Jo identified Dr. Vince Cammarata as a professor that was an influential mentor to her while at Auburn and impacted her career. She often talked to him about her potential career choices.

“Dr. Cammarata was always very uplifting while I was at Auburn,” she said. “He was always in support of my decisions and was a key recommendation to help get me to graduate school.”

Sarah Jo was a recipient of the Dean’s Scholarship Golf Classic in 2014 at COSAM. Of the four recipients, she was the chosen speaker, and this continued to positively impact her life after Auburn, specifically when she received her Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Buffalo.

“Speaking at that event sparked my interest in public speaking and I ended up being the student commencement speaker at the University at Buffalo for the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences in 2016,” Sarah Jo said.

Sarah Jo is currently pursuing her MBA at Georgia State University in addition to working at Georgia Tech. Life has taken her down a path she never would have anticipated as an undergraduate in COSAM at Auburn University.

“If you are unsure what path you want to take, keep an open mind and do not be afraid to take chances,” Sarah Jo advised current students. “You never know where life will take you!”

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