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Long before joining SFU's School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering (MSE), was discovering her passion for engineering through the Faculty of Applied Sciences (FAS) Outreach programs.

As her interests grew, Amadea became drawn to robotics and biomedical systems, specifically how exoskeletons and robotic prosthetics could improve people's mobility. That curiosity eventually brought her to the MSE program, where she found the flexibility to explore different areas of engineering.

鈥淚 love how multidisciplinary MSE is,鈥� says Amadea. 鈥淚t feels like a jack-of-all-trades type of degree where you can build skills across engineering and discover what you are most passionate about. Once you graduate, you can be a mechanical, electrical, systems or even software engineer! The degree gives you a lot of career opportunities.鈥�

Amadea carried her determination to help people into her academic career, where she used engineering to respond to real-world needs.

During the pandemic, she worked with the Women in Engineering (WiE) Design Team as the 3D Printing Production Lead, helping to create 3D-printed personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline workers. Over 200 pieces of PPE were donated to Surrey Memorial Hospital, showing Amadea how engineering could directly support people in the community.

For her MSE Capstone project, Amadea and her team developed a wearable device aimed at providing pain relief for foot dystonia 鈥� a neurological movement disorder with limited treatment options beyond medication. This project evolved into the development of , a startup she co-founded through SFU鈥檚 Technology Entrepreneurship (Tech-E) program. Exploring the full product development process strengthened her interest in turning engineering ideas into practical, user-focused solutions.

The dedication continues in Amadea鈥檚 current work as a Mechatronic Engineering Design Consultant at . She is currently developing a device that helps clinicians track brace wear time and tightness for patients with scoliosis to improve recovery outcomes. 

Amadea remains grateful for the mentors who shaped her journey, including MSE professor Carolyn Sparrey, who first inspired her through outreach and later supported her through co-op and capstone projects. Having once been introduced to engineering through outreach programs, Amadea now strives to inspire others in the same way.

She achieved this goal as an instructor for SFU鈥檚 Pathway to STEAM program, where she introduced elementary school students to science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM). Many students began with little knowledge but left with new opportunities to explore and discover their interests. For Amadea, seeing that curiosity grow felt like watching a younger version of herself begin to imagine a future in STEAM.

鈥淏y the end of the program, one little girl ran up to me, excited about the topics we had been learning,鈥� she recalls fondly. 鈥淚t reminded me of myself when I first discovered engineering. That鈥檚 really what makes it all worth it.鈥�

As convocation approaches, Amadea looks forward to embarking on the next chapter in her career as an Engineer-in-Training (EiT), working towards her Professional Engineer (P.Eng) designation and a future in the mechanical engineering field. Most importantly, she wants to continue doing what she loves most 鈥� creating technologies that support people and making a positive impact in the community.