Zachary Thomas

4th year Biomedical Engineering

Enable UC is a 100% UC student lead group which utilizes 3D printing to construct upper-limb prosthetics and therapeutic devices for children across the country

Why I joined the organization + What I do: I joined Enable UC in the fall of 2019 and am currently serving as Internal Vice President for the 2020-2021 academic year. I had developed a strong desire to get involved with campus and loved the idea of using the skills I had learned as a Biomedical Engineer to change the lives of children. I am currently serving as Internal Vice President of Enable UC for the 2020-2021 academic year.

How the UHP Leadership Roundtable helped + what I learned: Like many organizations, Enable UC was deeply affected when the pandemic hit. Much of our work is conducted in person, with members managing our 3D printers, assembling devices, and otherwise gathering in large (50+ person) biweekly general body meetings. We have had to spend significant time as an organization figuring out how to continue our work under quarantine and social distancing guidelines. Of particular importance the recruitment and retention of new members who cannot meet and work with us in person during the pandemic. This group was instrumental in that, offering a forum for me to partake in a multitude of conversations with other campus leaders in similar situations about how to successfully operate a club remotely. I – along with other members of the exec board – have worked to implement ideas we have received from this group, such as virtual movie watch parties and mentor/mentee relationships. Using some of the ideas that has come out of discussions has helped Enable UC retain a sizeable general body presence, with most general body meetings having attendance numbers between 20-30 and the club having eight or so complete project teams.