From Eighth Grade Inspiration to Undergraduate Research: Clay McFadden Earns Outstanding Pre-Professional Scholar Award

When Clay McFadden received the Biological Engineering Department's Outstanding Pre-Professional Scholar Award this spring, he was surprised.

The Utah State University sophomore said he had received an email informing him that he had been nominated and inviting him to complete a short application. He filled it out, not expecting much.

"I have a few very close friends that I really thought were more qualified than I was," McFadden said. "But I do know I cannot help but say yes if an opportunity comes my way."

A few weeks later, he learned he had been selected as the department's Outstanding Pre-Professional Scholar, an award recognizing exceptional achievement early in a student's academic career.

For McFadden, however, the recognition represents years of curiosity, determination, and a passion for using science and engineering to improve people's lives.

A Fascination That Started in Eighth Grade

Long before he arrived at Utah State, McFadden already knew he was interested in biological engineering.

The inspiration came when he was in eighth grade and first learned about research being conducted at USU involving spider silk and its potential applications in medicine. Researchers were exploring how spider silk could be used in nerve regeneration and repair, helping transmit the electrical signals the human body depends on.

The concept immediately captured his attention.

"I thought it was fascinating," McFadden said. "Ever since then, I've kind of kept up with what's been going on with the biological engineers at this university."

His interest only grew over time.

"I love all of the sciences," he said. "I love math, physics, chemistry, biology. I love that there is a degree and a whole community of researchers who are dedicated to bringing as much of that together as possible."

As he began considering colleges, McFadden evaluated several universities, including Utah State University and the University of Utah. Ultimately, Utah State stood out.

"It felt like a university that took itself seriously, but still left room to enjoy its own life," he said.

Discovering Research Opportunities at Utah State

One of the experiences that helped shape McFadden's undergraduate career was his introduction to Associate Professor, Dr. Elizabeth Vargis and her research lab.

As a member of the Honors Program, McFadden was encouraged to meet with faculty members early in his academic career. Before classes even began, he attended an Honors Program event and introduced himself to Vargis.

Wanting to better understand her work, he searched for her faculty page, reviewed her curriculum vitae, and looked through some of her publications.

"I didn't have a lot of understanding, so I found it difficult to read at first," he said. "But at the very least, I wanted to get an idea of the general vibe."

That initiative eventually led him to begin attending weekly lab meetings in the Vargis Lab. During those meetings, he listened to presentations, learned about ongoing projects, and built relationships with graduate students and fellow undergraduate researchers.

One of those graduate students was Sophia Hessami, whose research focuses on retinal cells and how pigmentation affects the eye's response to ultraviolet light. McFadden eventually began assisting with her work while developing his own laboratory skills.

Looking back, he credits Dr. Vargis for creating a clear pathway for students interested in research.

"When I first met with her, she told me exactly what she expected," McFadden said. "Attend lab meetings for a semester, be attentive, ask good questions, and then we'll talk."

The straightforward expectations made a lasting impression.

"I didn't expect such a clear checklist, but it was incredibly helpful," he said.

Research as an Undergraduate

Today, McFadden is conducting research through the Engineering Undergraduate Research Program (EURP), one of the College of Engineering's premier undergraduate research initiatives.

The competitive program provides funding for approximately 450 hours of undergraduate research and allows students to develop independent projects under faculty mentorship.

McFadden recently learned that he had been accepted into the program, providing him the opportunity to pursue his own research project in the Vargis Lab.

"This is my first time doing an independent project, working on something that I've created and doing a project myself," he said. "It's a big opportunity, but it's what I'm really excited for."

The experience marks an important milestone in his development as a researcher, moving beyond assisting with existing projects and into designing and leading his own work.

Reaching Beyond the Classroom

McFadden's involvement extends well beyond laboratory research.

He has served on the Honors Student Advisory Board, helping represent student interests within the Honors Program. He also founded Aggie Improv, a student organization that provides opportunities for students to develop communication, creativity, and performance skills.

The Honors Program itself has played a significant role in his growth.

"If you're an ambitious, self-motivated student who wants to accomplish a lot during your undergraduate experience, I think the Honors Program is a great way to provide structure," he said.

He believes one of the program's greatest strengths is encouraging students to engage with faculty, pursue research opportunities, and become active members of the university community.

Leading the Next Generation of Biomedical Engineers

Another major opportunity awaits McFadden this year as he prepares to become the next president of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) at Utah State.

He will succeed Dylan Nelson, who served as president for the past two years and helped rebuild the organization by increasing student involvement and expanding professional development opportunities.

McFadden said he is grateful that Nelson will still be on campus during the transition.

"It gives me a lot of confidence knowing that there's always help available," he said.

As incoming president, McFadden hopes to continue providing both resources and opportunities for students interested in biomedical engineering.

He credits Nelson's leadership with creating a strong foundation and looks forward to working with the club's leadership team to continue expanding its impact.

Pursuing National Opportunities

In addition to his departmental award and acceptance into EURP, McFadden recently pursued one of the nation's most prestigious undergraduate scholarships for researchers: the Goldwater Scholarship.

Although he was not selected as a national recipient, he was chosen as one of only six university nominees submitted by Utah State University.

The application process required months of preparation, including developing a research proposal, gathering letters of recommendation, and refining technical writing skills with feedback from faculty mentors and graduate students.

For McFadden, the experience was valuable regardless of the outcome.

"I learned a ton about the technical writing process, about how to come up with an idea for a project, and how to work with mentors to figure out what would be useful to the scientific community," he said.

Being selected as one of the university's nominees reinforced his growing confidence as a researcher while giving him valuable experience for future scholarship and grant opportunities.

Looking Toward the Future

While McFadden's interests are centered in biomedical engineering, he appreciates the flexibility that biological engineering provides.

"I love having a degree that applies to so many things," he said. "There's preparation for the medical field, environmental fields, biomaterials development, and so many different opportunities."

His long-term goal remains rooted in helping people through biomedical innovation, whether through medical devices, surgical implants, or other emerging technologies.

"I love helping people," McFadden said. "I love seeing relief. If I can spend my career doing things that help people find relief, then I know that I've lived a good life."

Despite his accomplishments, McFadden admits that he still occasionally experiences imposter syndrome. However, he has learned to focus on growth rather than comparison.

Instead of worrying about where he might be years from now, he focuses on making the most of the opportunities directly in front of him.

"I find that I'm capable of a lot more than I expect," he said. "It's amazing what you can do if you're determined to follow through with your choices."

For a student whose journey began with curiosity about a spider silk research project nearly a decade ago, that mindset has already carried him a long way—and it appears to be only the beginning.