Jeremy Warren

I’d like to start with a question: What does it mean to be in STEM?

To me, being in STEM means being at the forefront of technological and societal advancements. As engineers and computer scientists, we apply principles from science and mathematics to solve practical problems often leading to outcomes that shape our daily lives and the future. Not only do the problem-solving and critical-thinking skills we gained during our time here at UT Dallas contribute to economic growth, but they also facilitate advancements that are central to modern life and future possibilities.

But there is a key component embedded in this message that perhaps may have been lost on our journey to graduation. That component is, well, our impact on humanity. You see, it is this ability to critically think through and solve problems that inevitably drives worldwide innovation. 

Without folks like us, we would have beautiful works of art and music, but no buildings to display them in. We would have dreams of flying through the skies or landing on the moon, without planes or rocket ships to take us there. Perhaps most importantly, we would have language and a deep desire to connect with others around the world, but no phones or internet to do so.

For better or worse, without us, the world would be a very different place, but I am extremely proud to be a part of a group of people dedicated to pushing the boundaries of technology and facilitating advancements that drive humanity forward!

However, it’s not all grandeur as there are many times when our insights and contributions are overshadowed by money or influence. And it is at this enigmatic intersection where messages can be misunderstood, values miscommunicated and honest work overlooked.

It is an unfortunate truth that the products of our efforts are sometimes misused for power and greed. And at the heart of such contentions lie us, the engineers and computer scientists helplessly entangled in a mixture of economic interests and ethical dilemmas. It is here, at this juncture, that our role extends beyond mere technical prowess and knowledge to embody a more holistic stance of stewardship and advocacy. We have the opportunity, nay, the obligation, to not only shape what we work on but also how it is used to benefit society as a whole.

In this vein, it is absolutely essential for us to engage not only within our respective fields but also in public discourse — to educate, inform and advocate for the safe incorporation of technology. We must also strive to ensure that our work does not just advance the capabilities of a few, but rather uplift humanity as a whole. This means being vocal about the ethical implications of our work and remaining committed to societal betterment in all aspects of life.

This commitment to a broader societal responsibility may feel daunting at times, but it is also the cornerstone that makes our work so profoundly meaningful. As we stand here today on the shoulders of giants and those before us, we must ensure that we are not just reaching higher but also extending our hands outward to lift others up with us.

As we move forward, let us not only ask ourselves what we can build, but also what we should build. Let us not only pursue the frontier of knowledge and innovation but also guard against the misuse of our creations. Let us be the generation who did not just push the boundaries but also secured foundational pillars built on integrity, inclusivity and a deep commitment to the betterment of all humanity.

We know not what the future holds for us, but I strongly believe that if we continue to exercise this commitment to societal advancement and practice the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills we gained here at this great University, we will position ourselves and the world for a better tomorrow.

So, before I go, I’d like to leave you with this:

• Keep an open mind. Be willing to embrace new ideas, even when they challenge your own assumptions.
• Stay adaptable. The world is changing faster than ever, and it will be your curiosity, not just your credentials, that carries you through.
• And finally, never let today’s limitations define tomorrow’s possibilities. We are not here to fit into old systems, we are here to imagine and create new ones.

Thank you so much for your time. Good luck to each and every one of you. Go Comets!

Jeremy Warren was born in Germany and grew up in sunny El Paso, Texas. He received his undergraduate and master’s degrees in biomedical engineering from UT Dallas and graduates today with his PhD in biomedical engineering. As a graduate student in the vascular mechanobiology lab under Dr. Heather Hayenga, he was awarded the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) fellowship, received multiple UT Dallas research and travel grants and published two first-authored papers in biomechanics and bioengineering journals. Additionally, he taught robotics and STEM-related courses at a nearby high school, interned with the multinational engineering software company Dassault Systèmes; and presented at over 15 conferences both in the United States and abroad. He served as co-president of the UTD BMEN graduate student assembly, co-chair of the American Society of Mechanical Engineering Bioengineering Student Leadership Committee. He is the CEO of a startup company called Sancorda Medical. He is passionate about mentorship and aspires to motivate younger students to pursue knowledge and careers in engineering and science. After graduation, he will continue his postdoctoral training under Dr. Jay Humphrey at Yale University.