What is your academic background?
My name is Mark David Waters Jr. and my hometown is Dallas, TX. I received my B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Prarie View A&M University. I pursued my M.S. in Biological and Agricultural Engineering while working under Dr. Maria King at Texas A&M University. The title of my thesis is Computational Modeling of Biofilm Formation and Corrosion Processes on Steel Surfaces.
Why did you choose BAEN at TAMU for your MS Degree?
I chose TAMU to pursue my MS Degree because it has one of the top engineering departments in the United States. Furthermore, I chose BAEN because I was extremely interested in corrosion/biofilm studies and I knew that this department would afford me the opportunity to pursue those interests more in-depth.
What was your most memorable experience while pursuing your degree?
One of the most memorable experiences for me was my very first time presenting my research. I remember being very nervous because I didn’t know how others would react to my research topic. Turns out, there were lots of people who found my research intriguing. The feedback obtained from that presentation helped me to see that what I was doing was valuable, unique, and important.
What advice would you give other students who are interested in pursuing a graduate degree in BAEN at TAMU?
I can’t really speak for the MEng students, but for the MS students, I would say to make sure that you choose a thesis topic that you are interested in because it will become your life. Literally, everything you do will revolve around your research. Also, in addition to choosing a topic you’re interested in, make sure you choose classes that are closely related to your topic. Those classes will help you in writing your thesis and gaining more insight into innovative ways to approach your research.
Other thoughts or comments you would like to share.
Though graduate school is tedious and time-consuming, it is important to make time to do things you love doing outside of research. That could be working out, going to sports games, watching tv, etc. It is important to have a good school/life balance to avoid becoming overwhelmed with your research.