Meet Megan Escott ‘14

Photo credit. Paula Burch-Celentano

2014 Episcopal Valedictorian
Former Class President, football trainer and tennis player
Current B.S.E. of Biomedical Engineering, Candidate
Class of 2018
Tulane University

In a world of test tubes, white coats and beakers, you’ll find Episcopal alumna Megan Escott.  Megan spends her time in Tulane Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering Carolyn Bayer’s laboratory, where they are seeking a predictor of preeclampsia that can be integrated into a clinical setting.  The implications of their research are tremendous - according to the Preeclampsia Foundation, preeclampsia and other hypertensive pregnancy disorders are a leading cause of global maternal and infant illness and death.

For Megan, preeclampsia research happened organically because of the connection she formed with the leading professor, who shared real life experiences and made the topic relevant to her students.  This motivated Megan, who then embraced the topic, which naturally fits with her ultimate goal of becoming a physician.  
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Megan always liked science and problem solving.  She says Episcopal prepared her for further studies because of the emphasis on critical thinking and independence that teaches you to synthesize thoughts on your own.  Looking back at her time here, Megan says tackling the 18 month Episcopal thesis program prepared her for anything. Because of that thesis experience, she never shied away from a few months of research or a semester long project at Tulane.  Stephen Anderson, Megan’s thesis advisor and Episcopal’s Math Department Chair, says he’s not surprised to see Megan already making her mark.  “Megan’s desire to make a difference in the world was obvious then when I was advising her Honors Thesis on homelessness four years ago.  I am thrilled to see her continuing to pursue her passion to make a positive difference in the world.”

Now that she’s approaching college graduation in the spring, Megan has the following advice to offer today’s Upper School students:

If you are coming into high school and know that you are passionate about something, go for it.  If it is not available to you, then be the person who makes it available.

Be involved.  Do as much as possible.  

Push yourself.  Episcopal teachers are more than willing to help and they are experts in their field who are passionate about what they do and how they can help you.  

Megan offers her sincere thanks to everyone at Episcopal who helped her along the way.  She says because of the school’s focus on independent growth and learning she immediately knew how to be responsible for the lab and her own experiments.  When asked about a favorite memory as a Knight, Megan recalls her junior year when she was tasked with planning prom.  That year, prom was to be held outdoors and Megan worried about having a rain plan.  The advice she received was to pray for no rain.  She remembers how that simple guidance paid off and the rain didn’t begin until the event was over.
 
It is that sense of faith, fearlessness and passion that Episcopal instills in students, whether they are aware of it or not.  Now, as Megan nears graduation this spring, four years after beginning her college journey, she eagerly looks forward to the next chapter.  Her plans include applying to medical school, where she’ll continue to hone the skills and traits imparted to her while still on Woodland Ridge.
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No doubt, she will make an impact in whatever she does.  We wish you all the best Megan.  Your alma mater is proud!
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#episcopalproud

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