Anita Bassey
Class of: 2026
Hometown: Dallas, GA
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Why I Chose Northwestern:
I chose Northwestern because it was the first environment where my interests in biomedical innovation and global health impact felt like they could exist in the same space. Northwestern has pushed me to think rigorously and build technical depth, but it has also shaped my values as a student and leader, especially around the importance of community, belonging, and resilience. It is where I learned how to adapt, rebuild, and still keep moving forward, even during the hardest seasons of my life.
What I plan to do after graduation:
I was selected as a Schwarzman Scholar for the class of 2026–2027, and I will be earning my master’s in Global Affairs from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. My goal is to pursue a PhD conducting research on affordable diagnostics for global health impact, so the opportunity to gain knowledge on the policy aspect of that aspiration will be invaluable. I will then go on to complete my PhD in Biomedical Engineering, guided by an understanding of the design interventions that make the greatest impact in low- and middle-income countries.