Angelica Sanyal

Angelica Sanyal is a industrial and systems engineering major from DeKalb, IL

Hometown: DeKalb, IL

High School: DeKalb High School

Year: Expected graduation: Spring 2028

What scholarships did you receive and why did you receive them? How has the financial support impacted your experience at NIU?
I received the Dick Noreen Honors Scholarship, the Paul D. Yaney Memorial Engineering Scholarship and the Operating Staff Dependent Scholarship. These scholarships have allowed me to attend NIU without financial burden. I am grateful for this support and the opportunities it has made possible.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
Growing up, I always wanted to work in the health care industry. I’m currently pursuing a major in industrial and systems engineering with a focus on health systems engineering. This wasn’t my original plan, but I was drawn to the idea of improving entire systems rather than focusing on just one aspect or project. I’m excited to see where my education will take me.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
I’m majoring in industrial and systems engineering with an emphasis in health systems engineering and minoring in applied mathematics. I chose this path because I want to make a real difference in how health care systems work. I’ve always loved problem-solving and critical thinking, and engineering felt like the perfect way to bring those skills together. Being a woman in STEM inspires me to keep learning, growing and breaking barriers in the field.

Have you conducted your own research through Research Rookies, Honors capstones or theses or any other faculty-guided research opportunity?
Yes

Tell us about the research you are doing and why it interests you.
I am working in the AI-LEADS: Early Autism Screening and Diagnosis Project. The project is about providing a pre-screening tool for children ages 3-12 to see if they are on the spectrum or not. It's an affordable test for children in all communities. Our test uses motor movement, or gait patterns, and puts that into AI to calculate if the child has autism or not. I help with recruitment, data analysis and data collection. I also help with automating different processes with coding, Excel and planning. As an industrial engineering major, I help with everything. This research project is my favorite thing about college right now. Also, I get to work with different types of students, including those studying computer science, kinesiology and speech-language pathology.

How will your research experience help you in the future?
My research experience has really shown me how to take what I learn in class and apply it to real-world problems. Working on the AI-LEADS project helped me see how engineering, data and health care can work together to make a difference. I’ve learned how to analyze data, automate tasks and collaborate with students from all kinds of majors. It’s taught me how to think critically, stay organized and approach challenges with confidence — skills that will help me in my future career.

Who at NIU has been important to your success doing research and why?
I would say Dr. Ziteng Wang, Dr. Allison Gladfelter and Dr. Milijana Buac have all been really important to my success in research. They’ve supported me throughout this project and encouraged me to keep growing. Dr. Wang, who’s both my professor and research mentor in the industrial and systems engineering department, has been especially impactful. He’s always guiding me, helping me develop new skills and encouraging me to think about my career goals. I think what makes NIU so special is the people and how much support students receive, especially when it comes to research. I’ve always felt comfortable and supported around them, for which I’m really grateful.

What advice would you give to an incoming student as it relates to research at NIU?
I’d say don’t be afraid to look for opportunities or ask questions. Research is really about curiosity: digging deeper and wanting to understand how things work. NIU offers so many ways to explore your interests, and you should take advantage of as many as you can. It’s even better when you’re surrounded by the right people and team, because that’s what makes research truly fun and rewarding.

Have you conducted an internship?
Yes

How did you get your internship, and where was it?
I found my internship through Huskies Get Hired, NIU’s job and internship platform. I was selected for a project management internship at Systems in Motion (SIM), an automation and machine handling company based in Elgin, Illinois. I got the opportunity right after my freshman year, which made it really special since it’s not always easy to find an engineering internship that early on.

How did your internship help prepare you for your career?
My internship at Systems in Motion (SIM) gave me real-world experience in managing large automation projects and collaborating across engineering, operations and finance teams. I learned how to use professional tools like Zoho Projects and Microsoft Project, write standard operating procedures, and help track budgets and timelines. I also built strong communication and problem-solving skills by participating in client meetings and even stepping in for a project manager when needed. Overall, it gave me a clear understanding of how project management works in the industry and strengthened my confidence in pursuing a career in engineering and operations.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
I’ve found my professors in industrial and systems engineering to be incredibly supportive and resourceful. So far, I’m really loving my experience!

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
I am part of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and the University Honors Program.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel safe, supported and successful? And how?
The honors department, engineering department and scholarship office have been helpful.

What Honors Program opportunities or support have helped you get closer to your academic or career goals so far?
I participated in First Year Advantage during my freshman year, which helped me connect with other honors students and build my professional skills. I really love the program and the community. Everyone is driven, supportive and genuinely serious about their education.

What do you enjoy the most about the Honors Program?
I enjoy the people and community the most. I also really enjoy the events.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
Attending class every day is really good practice. Professors often make important announcements or explain topics that might be confusing, which can be really helpful. I definitely recommend going to class regularly — it makes a big difference.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
I really like Barsema Hall and the Engineering Building. They’re the nicest on campus and have some of the best study spots.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
Look for a program that fits you best but also consider what’s most affordable. College is an investment in your future, not just a lifestyle.

Why is a college education important to you?
A college education is important to me because it’s helping me turn my goals into something real. It’s not just about getting a degree, it’s about building the skills, confidence and experiences I need to make an impact in the real world. College has given me the chance to explore my interests, meet inspiring people and find a path that truly excites me.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
I’d say balance is key. Learn how to prioritize but also make time for breaks to avoid burning out. Try to stay motivated and keep the bigger picture in mind — you’re always more capable than you think.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
I stay informed by checking my email.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
I like to hang out with friends or read.