David “Nic” Thibodeaux, a senior majoring in Biomedical Engineering, is one of our first Senior Spotlight guests, a column where we try to showcase the significant accomplishments in leadership and academics made by our seniors during their time here. Nic has been involved on campus as president of Alpha Phi Omega(APO) and as band leader for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF). Alpha Phi Omega is a service fraternity, and with close to 30 active “brothers” (it is co-ed), it seeks to provide service to the campus, the community, the fraternity, and the nation, as well as to encourage leadership overall. Under his presidency, APO is planning a major event for this Christmas: providing Christmas activities and dinner to those in transition homes in Newark. Off campus, he assists with children’s plays based on the works of Shakespeare, which his mother direct.

Nic majors in Biomedical Engineering and is in the Instrumentation track where he studies signal processing and imaging. In addition to his classes, he conducts research in Tara Alvarez’s BME lab. He became interested in research because he felt the need to learn more than he could just in the classroom. Currently, his research interests are in the area of fMRI. As a result of his research experience, he encourages students to get involved in this area. He believes NJIT should provide more encouragement to students to work with professors on projects.

In the future, Nic wants to pursue further study in Biomedical Engineering, and possibly complete a PhD. On NJIT’s value, Nic says, “NJIT allowed me to get connected to professors who do diverse things and are experienced.” His advice to freshman? “Make connections in either academia or industry, and most of all, let your professors know you want to succeed in your studies.”

Thomas Anderson