SASKATOON — A University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Engineering graduate has been accepted to study in an innovative new PhD program at one of the world’s best medical schools.
Katie Sofko, who graduates this week with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, is one of six students who will join the in September at the Stanford University School of Medicine. More than 100 people from around the world applied for a spot.
“It really focuses on the intersection of engineering and physics with medicine and applying that to real-world medical problems,” Sofko explained in a recent interview. “That is what drew me to the program. I just love that idea; it’s what I've wanted to do for most of my life.”
Stanford Medicine is the world’s fourth-ranked medical school in the latest ; Stanford University placed sixth in the overall rankings.
Sofko’s success is based on an impressive blend of enthusiasm and aptitude, said Dr. Emily McWalter (PhD), an assistant professor in USask Engineering who has supervised Sofko’s undergraduate research for more than three years.
“It’s a rare combination when someone is that intelligent and has that much drive and vision for what they want. When you have that in one package, the sky’s the limit,” McWalter said of Sofko, who earned the Harold J. Bosche Most Distinguished Prize in Mechanical Engineering for achieving the highest average among students graduating in the discipline this spring.
Sofko also served as president of the Mechanical Engineering Students’ Association during her final year in the college.
“She’s definitely one of the top students I’ll ever have the opportunity to work with,” McWalter said.