Adrienne Madison (BS/BME, ’06) is an alumna of the University of Tennessee who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and a minor in materials science and engineering. She attended UT for a total of five years, a time in which she learned many impactful lessons and made permanent connections.
Since leaving UT, Madison has become a research biomedical engineer and principal investigator in the Injury Biomechanics and Protection Group at the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory in Fort Novosel, Alabama. Her research focuses on the prevention of spinal musculoskeletal disorders and reduced soldier performance resulting from wearing personnel protective equipment such as helmets in military air and ground environment exposures.
The position has allowed Madison to achieve major milestones, including authoring a book chapter related to the human health effects of hand-transmitted and whole-body vibration which is used internationally by aerospace medicine residents. She also helped develop the first helmet system mass property guidance to reduce performance degradation in dismounted soldier populations.
Madison’s roots in engineering began early, with a desire to learn how things worked. She would take apart household appliances, trying sometimes unsuccessfully to put them back together. She also participated in middle school science fairs. Madison was introduced to the biomedical side of things through her paternal grandmother’s diabetic complications, which led to her needing dialysis. These events fueled Madison’s interest in medical prosthetic devices and led her to investigate careers and majors that would allow her to do that type of work.
Madison said her most valuable experience at UT was the “Introduction to Engineering” course she took two weeks before the start of her freshman year.
“The experience made the transition from high school to college (out of state) less overwhelming,” Madison said. “It inspired me to become a student mentee for various science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) camps which aimed to increase awareness and involvement in STEM.”
Madison had multiple classes that impacted her student experience at UT, including “Introduction to Bioengineering,” which confirmed to her that biomedical engineering was the only career she wanted to pursue.
It wasn’t only classes that were significant to Madison’s journey at UT, but the professors as well. She mentioned Solomon, and how he went above and beyond to make sure she was able to master engineering concepts. She gives UTSI Adjunct Associate Professor Denise Jackson credit for nurturing her love of STEM and STEM-related outreach, and former MABE Professor Jack Wasserman for her interest in graduate school. Late MSE Professor Roberto Benson introduced Madison to materials science and engineering, and MSE Professor Claudia Rawn provided a lively and exciting learning environment while encouraging her to pursue graduate school.
“This list is proof of the lasting impacts many talented staff at UT leave on their students,” Madison said. “The lessons they learn in college stick with them for a lifetime.”
Madison still attributes her commitment and passion for STEM mentoring and outreach to UT. Without her experiences as an undergrad, she probably wouldn’t have pursued graduate school.
“Most importantly, my experience at UT was instrumental in developing the confidence, focus, and determination necessary to identify, achieve, and pursue my career goals,” Madison said.
In the future, Madison would like to launch a personal platform which aims to promote STEM advocacy, empowerment, and mentorship for underrepresented and/or diverse youth populations. She is also interested in exploring ways to merge her research experience with patent law or science policy applications.