Student Spotlight: Pablo Luna

Pablo Luna

Lab: None (But a special shoutout to Ian Malone under Dr. Kevin Otto, and Amanda Studnicki under Dr. Daniel Ferris for helping me find my passion)

Hometown: Bogota, Colombia

Research Focus: After spending some time working in the biomedical industry, I found that research wasn’t for me. I instead spent my last year working with Generational Relief in Prosthetics creating a prosthetic with interchangeable attachments, working with Dream Team Engineering on several in-hospital devices, improving my technical Spanish with Engineers without Border Peru, and learning python and Linux script through side projects and senior design.

Fun Fact: I once met J Balvin at a small concert in Colombia and didn’t get an autograph or anything and now I can’t afford his tickets

What motivates you: The fact I got lucky. Being born incredibly asthmatic and in a country with lots of violence, I’m constantly reminded that I’m very lucky to be where I am today. I want to use that luck and help other people live longer and healthier lives.

What attracted you to UF BME: The student body. Not going to UF was never an option but freshman year I was still choosing between Mechanical and Biomedical. I ended up choosing BME because most of my classmates wanted nothing more than to help others as doctors, engineers, or researchers and I wanted to be part of that community.

What I love about Gainesville: How extra everyone is. No matter what you love to do there is always a community of people who’d love to do it with you.

Motivational Quote: If you’re not making mistakes then you’re not making decisions – Catherine Cook

Honors and Awards: My mom thinks I’m cool! (Cum Laude)