Emma Kessinger: From Boilermaker spirit to biopharma breakthroughs
Growing up in Indiana, Emma Kessinger was no stranger to the rigor and prestige that come with a Purdue University degree. When she decided to pursue engineering, Purdue quickly stood out as the clear choice, offering both frozen in-state tuition and one of the nation’s top engineering programs. Just as important to Emma, though, was the culture.
“The Boilermaker spirit shows up everywhere,” she said. “From game days and alumni returning to campus to the research-focused academics, Purdue really feels like a community.”
An honors student majoring in biological engineering with a minor in biotechnology and a certificate in pharmaceutical manufacturing, Kessinger is set to graduate in spring 2026. From the beginning, she knew she wanted to be part of an academic environment that emphasized collaboration over competition.
“Teamwork is such an important skill for the future,” she said. “Purdue Engineering has taught me how to work through problems in group settings and how much stronger solutions can be when people work together.”
That collaborative mindset has carried into her leadership experiences with the Purdue Engineering Student Council (PESC). Through PESC, she helped plan and lead four Industrial Roundtables and three EXPO Career Fairs. Industrial Roundtable — one of the largest student-run career fairs in the nation — hosts nearly 400 companies and draws close to 20,000 students each year.
“Being part of that planning process was incredible,” Kessinger said. “Seeing how many companies want to hire Purdue engineers was inspiring.”
Those connections helped her land two internships with Eli Lilly and Company in drug discovery and drug development, experiences squarely aligned with her dream of working in the pharmaceutical industry.
“I wouldn’t have had those opportunities without Purdue,” she said. “Those internships have been a huge factor in my professional growth and confidence.”
Purdue’s research reputation was another major draw. She is especially interested in pharmaceutical research and development, a field deeply rooted in hands-on, industry-relevant research. She currently works in a lab within Agricultural and Biological Engineering under Kurt Ristroph, assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering, where the research is partnered with Eli Lilly.
“There’s so much innovation that starts in Purdue labs,” she said. “It’s exciting to be part of work that has real-world impact.”
Kessinger’s path, however, wasn’t without challenges. Like many first-year students, she felt overwhelmed by the academic rigor and pace of engineering coursework. Entering Purdue with limited math and coding experience, she sometimes felt behind peers who seemed to arrive already fluent in subjects she was just beginning to learn.
Her first semester included learning two coding languages while tackling notoriously difficult Purdue math courses and Honors Engineering requirements. The stress led her to question whether engineering was the right fit.
“I realized I wasn’t alone,” she said. “So many students — freshmen and upperclassmen — deal with stress and imposter syndrome.”
Joining PESC during her freshman year became a turning point. The organization provided her with a network of peers who understood the demands of engineering and supported one another through challenges.
“They helped me stay passionate and hopeful instead of burning out,” she said.
In spring 2023, during her second semester, PESC pledged funding to help launch the CARES Hub (Community, Assistance, and Resources for Engineering Students). The CARES Hub is a dedicated support center offering peer mentors, a therapist and a welcoming space for engineering students to study, relax, or seek help.
“As engineering students, having a support center designed specifically for us is huge,” Kessinger said. “It was an honor to be part of starting that.”
During her term as PESC president, she met each semester with the CARES Hub director to discuss operations and opportunities for improvement. PESC continues to collaborate with the hub to expand awareness and support across the College of Engineering.
“Engineering can be stressful, especially early on,” she said. “Having a place that acknowledges that and offers real support makes a big difference.”
As she prepares for graduation, Kessinger reflects on a Purdue experience shaped by opportunity, resilience and community — one that has prepared her not only for a career in pharmaceutical research, but also to support others navigating the same journey.