by Madi Carpenter, Public Relations Writer
Most people do not associate engineering with health care, but 2017 Cedarville University graduate Derek Renner's mechanical engineering degree has provided a gateway to medical school.
Renner, a graduating senior from St. Marys, West Virginia, recently learned he was admitted to West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.
His journey to medical school began with an anatomy and physiology class, which he took as part of his biomedical engineering minor. Instead of just accumulating more credit hours, the courses sparked an interest in medicine. A mission trip to Swaziland through Cedarville’s Global Outreach program cemented his newfound interest in medicine.
Renner undertook a yearlong senior design project researching spine implants by modeling human spines and completing tests using pig spine to improve implant designs. The project prepared him well for the rigorous medical school admissions process.
“I’ve really grown personally because of the work that was required with this kind of research and writing reports on it,” said Renner. “Cedarville definitely pushed and prepared me for medical school because of the amount and difficulty of work that is required in the classroom.”
Renner hopes to study orthopedics, and his engineering background will offer a heightened understanding and experience with prosthetics, artificial joints and numerous other areas related to biomedical technology.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,760 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 100 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.
Renner, a graduating senior from St. Marys, West Virginia, recently learned he was admitted to West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.
His journey to medical school began with an anatomy and physiology class, which he took as part of his biomedical engineering minor. Instead of just accumulating more credit hours, the courses sparked an interest in medicine. A mission trip to Swaziland through Cedarville’s Global Outreach program cemented his newfound interest in medicine.
Renner undertook a yearlong senior design project researching spine implants by modeling human spines and completing tests using pig spine to improve implant designs. The project prepared him well for the rigorous medical school admissions process.
“I’ve really grown personally because of the work that was required with this kind of research and writing reports on it,” said Renner. “Cedarville definitely pushed and prepared me for medical school because of the amount and difficulty of work that is required in the classroom.”
Renner hopes to study orthopedics, and his engineering background will offer a heightened understanding and experience with prosthetics, artificial joints and numerous other areas related to biomedical technology.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,760 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 100 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.