MAGGIE DRIGGS

I paint portraits of people whose stories have affected me- female figures who inspire me and give me hope, children across the world who have endured horrors yet continue to smile. Painting allows me to life these individuals up and gain a glimpse into their lives. While I will never stop painting, I realized I could take my creations a step further. This is where engineering comes in. I’ve been incredibly inspired by the potential of what I can achieve with all this new knowledge. Boston University emphasizes the importance of being a societal engineer, and it has been exciting for me is to not only learn about communities, but to create something to help. Engineering provides me with a unique, beautiful, artistic way to give back to the world. Just like in my painting below, “Support”, I believe we can create a world where we all bring our hands, our gifts, our lights together to support each other. Engineering is my way of doing that. At school, I've learned the fundamental principles of engineering: manufacturing, sustainability, physics, and design. In my internships I've applied these principles-from researching prosthetics to create a more equitable database for endplate geometry at Ortho Development, to temperature modeling airbags at Autoliv, to designing more sustainable HVAC systems at Arup. Currently, I'm studying sCO2 as a working fluid for a turbine generator for my senior design project. There are countless applications for science and engineering.  How does art relate to this? The biggest problems of our day almost feel like they have no solution. Climate change, inequalities, hatred. Creativity is essential if we want to improve. While there are principles and laws, there are no bounds. There are blank pages where I can paint and discover any model and design that I'd like. I've learned that it's not only okay, but necessary to be bold. The best portraits are where the human personality and voice shines through with the important details still intact.  Engineering is the same way. Each experience is a new tool that teaches me more about the potential of what can be done.  My interests lie in renewable energy and sustainable practices, thermodynamics, automation, clean water as a human right, equitable education, and transportation. ​I want to devote all the skills I learn to improving the lives of the wonderful, strong people in this world. My art gives me the freedom and joy to do so. My education gives me the assurity that it's possible.  Coolest. Toolkit. Ever.