After earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in Bioengineering at Clemson University, Nora Mortali decided to continue her education here and pursue a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering. Her research on feeding tubes for patients requiring long-term care at home integrates the clinical and commercial industry sides of bioengineering, while her work in bioengineering in general lets her combine her interests in math and science, and the medical field. As she says, bioengineering allows her to “have the best of both worlds.” In addition to her research, she has an administrative role in PEER & WISE assisting the Next Engineering Academy program
as the graduate project coordinator working under the guidance of the director, Brittany Sanders. While an undergraduate, she took a Creative Inquiry course that gave her the opportunity to promote STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) in local elementary and middle schools. In addition, she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women, serving as the vice president of recruitment.
While Clemson University has provided her both education and enrichment, her primary reason for attending this University was the privilege of being a member of the Clemson Family, and that is her vision for DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion): she sees this initiative as making sure all students feel part of the Clemson family. As she says, “DEI prioritizes that students and faculty are heard and respected no matter what their background is, and ensures our campus can be fair, impartial, and equal as it can be.” She sees that through Clemson’s DEI efforts, she can be a member of an environment that encourages and accepts diversity and can give her a valuable outlook on the world.
