A day in the life: Emerson Soo-Hoo '27
We followed biomedical engineering student Emerson Soo-Hoo '27, as he logged miles for the LA Marathon, dove into cardiac research, and worked to engineer a device that could change how patients recover from injury.
Name: Emerson Soo-Hoo
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
6:30 AM — Wake Up
Emerson starts his day early. Before checking messages or thinking about assignments, he takes a few minutes to stretch and warm up—a small waking ritual.
7:00 AM — Gym or Run
Most mornings begin with movement. Recently, the cold has pushed his runs indoors onto the treadmill, but he prefers running outside when he can. He’s currently training for the LA Marathon, and the consistency of morning workouts gives structure to even the busiest days.
9:00 AM — Class 1: Biotransport and Kinetics
This core biomedical engineering course focused on how fluids, molecules, and forces move through biological systems. In Biotransport and Kinetics, Emerson studies the same transport principles that govern how oxygen diffuses into tissue or how medications travel through the bloodstream – foundational knowledge for anyone working at the intersection of engineering and medicine.
10:30 AM — Research in the Campbell Lab
Late morning shifts to hands-on research in Professor Stuart Campbell’s Integrative Cardiac Biomechanics Lab at Yale University. Emerson’s work centers on titin, the largest protein in the human body and a crucial contributor to heart muscle contraction. By studying how mutations in titin affect cardiac mechanics, he’s contributing to research that could inform future treatments for cardiomyopathies.
12:30 PM — Lunch
Lunch is usually quick — a chance to refuel, catch up with friends, or talk through lab results and problem sets before the afternoon begins.
1:00 PM — Class 2: Vascular Mechanics
In the afternoon, Emerson has Vascular Mechanics, his favorite course this semester. The class explores how blood vessels and heart tissue respond to pressure and flow, connecting engineering mechanics directly to cardiovascular function. Many of the concepts echo what he sees in the lab, an exciting reinforcement of how coursework and research work off each other.
2:30 PM — Medical Device Design at the CEID
Emerson often spends his afternoons at the Yale Center for Engineering Innovation and Design (CEID), working on a medical device design project in collaboration with Yale School of Medicine. His team is developing a device to help immobilized patients maintain lower-limb mobility, reducing rehabilitation time and helping prevent permanent paralysis. Between 3D printing prototypes and sketching ideas across whiteboards, this is where engineering concepts become tangible tools for patient care.
5:00 PM — Nucleate Meeting
A somewhat unique part of the culture of Yale Engineering is the emphasis on entrepreneurship. The day shifts away from coursework with a meeting of Nucleate, a student-led biotech activator. Through Nucleate, Emerson connects with peers interested in translating scientific discoveries into real-world therapies and startups, broadening his perspective beyond the lab bench.
6:00 PM — Dinner
7:00 PM — Study Time at Hopper
Evenings usually include time to work, most often in his residential college library, Grace Hopper. Whether reviewing notes, finishing assignments, or preparing for upcoming exams, this quiet stretch of the day helps him stay on top of a demanding schedule.
8:00 PM — Club Basketball Practice
Basketball practice offers a full mental reset. Time on the court provides balance, teamwork, and a way to decompress after a long day of technical problem-solving.
9:00 PM — Intramural Secretary Duties
Before winding down, Emerson spends time on logistics as a residential college Intramural Secretary, coordinating schedules and supporting campus recreation behind the scenes.
11:00 PM — Sleep
By 11:00 p.m., the day is done. Emerson winds down and gets to bed — ready to do it all again tomorrow.
Images of Emerson running and playing basketball were taken by Yulin Zhen. All other images by Amy Levitin Gray.
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Published Date
Apr 6, 2026
