Jacklyn Herzberg

Why I Chose Duke Engineering

When I first started looking into BME at Duke, what stood out most was the groundbreaking research happening here. I remember reading about global health initiatives that were transforming access to care in low-income countries, and about organoids—miniature organs that could revolutionize how we test drugs. Duke was, and still is, home to research that doesn’t just advance science but directly changes lives. On top of that, I knew I’d be surrounded by some of the most intelligent, driven people anywhere, and that being in that environment would push me to raise my own standards.

Before Duke Engineering

Before starting at Duke, I was a brand-new high school graduate who barely even knew what Biomedical Engineering was—the major I had just chosen. What first introduced me to the field was actually a summer program I attended at Duke, long before I even knew the term “BME” existed. It was geared toward students who liked math and science and had some interest in healthcare, and I remember being completely captivated by the coursework. From that point on, I sought out every BME-related opportunity I could in high school, limited as they were.

That early exposure is what led me to apply for a fellowship at NC State, where I had the chance to work on developing a new medical device. I loved the idea that I could dive into challenging academic work while also creating something with a real impact on people’s lives. Still, looking back, I wish I’d had more exposure to engineering as a whole before Duke. Aside from those few extracurricular experiences, I really didn’t know much about engineering—let alone biomedical engineering—until I got here.

After Duke Engineering

After graduating from Duke in the spring of 2024, I joined Blur Product Development as a Research and Development Engineer. In that role, I was able to build on the engineering skills I had developed at Duke and even continue working on a project I first got involved with during undergrad—only this time, I was leading it from an industry perspective..

Now, I’ve transitioned into my current role as an Associate Clinical Account Specialist at Johnson & Johnson MedTech. Here, I work directly in clinical settings, supporting physicians and healthcare teams as they use advanced medical technologies to treat patients. It’s a role that constantly challenges me to combine technical knowledge with communication and problem-solving skills in real time.

One of the most impactful parts of my Duke experience was the BME Design Fellows program. The hands-on, industry-focused training I received there gave me a strong foundation in research and development practices, which made me immediately effective in my first role and continues to inform how I think about medical technology today.

My curriculum also prepared me for the rigorous training process at J&J, as well as for the complex physiological and technical concepts I need to understand to support physicians. Just as importantly, Duke Engineering’s emphasis on communication has been invaluable. In my current role, I’m often expected to present complicated information clearly, build trust with physicians, and adapt quickly in high-stakes clinical environments—all skills that were sharpened in the classrooms, labs, and team projects I had at Duke.

5 Ways to Maximize Your Time at Duke

1. Keep an open mind. Duke is full of some of the most intelligent, unique, and driven people you’ll ever meet. Take advantage of that—ask questions, listen, and challenge your own perspective.

2. Explore extracurriculars and resources. There are so many opportunities at Duke that most students don’t even know exist. For example, the Makerspaces are open practically 24/7 and completely free for students. If you have an idea, there’s no harm in experimenting, learning new tools, or just playing around to build skills.

3. Connect with Duke staff and faculty. The relationships I built with professors and engineering staff were one of the most impactful parts of my Duke experience. I learned so much from them—not just about engineering and professional development, but about life, relationships, and the kind of person I want to be.

4. Don’t just study—live. This might sound counterintuitive at a place as rigorous as Duke, but some of your most meaningful growth will happen outside of the classroom. Building relationships, making memories, and exploring your interests is just as important as your coursework.

5. Go outside. Duke has one of the most beautiful campuses anywhere, not to mention the Duke Gardens right at your fingertips. Not everywhere you live will offer that kind of access to nature—so enjoy it while you can.