Kylie Peterson

Kylie Peterson says she was drawn to Arizona State University to be a part of something larger than herself and to learn from people all around the world. Peterson discovered her passion for biomedical engineering after coming across a brochure for the program and was instantly hooked.

“I chose to study biomedical engineering because I have always been interested in science and wanted to be able to help people,” she says. 

Peterson was actively involved in various ASU organizations and leadership roles. She was a student in Barrett, The Honors College, served as a member of the Next Generation Service Corps for her first two years at ASU, worked as a section leader for introductory-level classes, and mentored first-year students during her senior year.

Peterson says Assistant Teaching Professor Jose Maria Arquiza shaped her biomedical engineering journey. “His unwavering belief in my abilities pushed me to exceed my own expectations, making a lasting impact on my growth and confidence in the field.”

Peterson’s skills during her undergraduate years earned her the New American University’s President’s Award and the Next Generation Service Corps Scholarship.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Peterson embraced leadership roles in ASU’s Greek life organizations. “I was the President of Order of Omega, the Greek life honor society, and an active member of Phi Sigma Rho, a STEM-based Panhellenic sorority, where I held two executive positions,” she says. “It allowed me to grow as a leader, mentor and advocate for student success.”

Peterson founded T.O.M. at ASU, a service-based club that builds free biomedical devices for people with disabilities.

“I started the group because ASU has such a large student body with diverse needs,” she says. “As a biomedical engineering student, I also craved the chance to work on real-world projects and grow my skills.”

Peterson had her ‘aha’ moment during her senior capstone, working on a women’s health project with a female-led engineering team. This experience helped Peterson realize her passion and reinforced her determination to break barriers as a woman in STEM to create meaningful change.

“I push boundaries and challenge the inequalities women face daily, by breaking the glass ceiling and developing medical devices that specifically serve women’s needs,” she says.

After graduating ASU, Peterson will work as a health care consultant for Baker Tilly as part of their life science division in Chicago, Illinois. 

Read about other exceptional graduates of the Fulton Schools’ spring 2025 class here.