Happiness for Zachery Quince is imagining a world where cellular degenerative diseases can be cured through biomedical engineering.
And to keep him focused on making his “happy place” a reality, the Griffith University student only has to look at the symbol for serotonin — the neurotransmitter responsible for happiness — tattooed on his arm.
Zachery, who is based at the Gold Coast campus, believes biomedical engineering can make a difference to people’s lives and he wants to be at the forefront of breakthrough research.
This passion, combined with the ordeal of watching a number of family members decline during their later years, has driven him to pursue a Bachelor of Electronic and Biomedical Engineering through the School of Engineering at Griffith.
“I want to cure neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s through engineering by creating neurons from non-biological materials,” he says.
“The brain is so complex and incredible, but there are so many different parts that if one part goes wrong you may start to lose yourself.
“I’ve had family members go through it and that makes me want to succeed even more.”
Now in his third year, Zachery is more focused than ever and is even reaching out to first and second-year students by starting the School of Engineering Mentoring Program.
As part of Orientation Week starting on Monday (February 23), new engineering students will be assigned one of 27 mentors.
Zachery says a degree in engineering can create many opportunities for graduates and he is keen to encourage more young people into the field.
“Engineering can lead to anything. All fields and businesses need good engineers,” he says.
Students can find out more information about the Study of Engineering mentor program via Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/gugcengmentoring