Devin Bester

Devin Bester

Biography

Devin Bester is a senior at the University of Kentucky (UK) pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics. He is deeply involved in leadership and service, having served as President of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) UK Chapter to lead initiatives fostering diversity and professional development in STEM. Previously, he was a UK 101 Peer Instructor, an LSAMP Scholar for the KY-WV region, and a Chellgren Student Fellow, experiences that first inspired his passion for research and academic mentorship. Devin’s research journey began when he first worked on the “Symphony of the Cell” with Dr. Luke Bradley, a data sonification software which converts protein sequences into musical compositions to make learning molecular biology more accessible for K-12 students. He also works with Dr. Christine Trinkle focusing on fabricating crosslinked polymer networks processed into microparticle form, microgels, for use in tissue engineering scaffolds, and developing flow-focusing microfluidic droplet generators for producing them. Devin expanded his research experience at Johns Hopkins University through the PROPEL Program, designing and prototyping a mechanism to suture 1 mm blood vessels autonomously. He later worked in Dr. Kristin Myers’ Soft Tissue Lab, at Columbia University through the SURE Program, to computationally model and simulate murine reproductive anatomy across multiple gestational stages using MRI-based segmentations and finite element analysis to better understand reproductive biomechanics. Devin’s industry experience includes a mechanical systems co-op with GE Appliances, where he supported product development and optimization. Passionate about mentorship and innovation, Devin aspires to advance medical technology and eventually pursue a Ph.D. to teach and inspire future engineers. Outside of academics, he enjoys traveling, cooking classes, fitness, and background acting, reflecting his commitment to lifelong learning and diverse experiences.