Mechanical engineering is the space where Zachary Toth’s three areas of interest converge: math, physics, and biology.
His next step is to obtain a Ph.D. in bioengineering at the University of Notre Dame for a career in biomedical research. At Ohio Northern University, the Ashtabula, Ohio native majored in mechanical engineering with a biomedical concentration and a minor in applied math. He seized every diverse opportunity that came his way.
“ONU was the best fit for me because of its strong and well-known engineering program,” he said, “and the classes and opportunities facilitated an excellent environment for learning about anything that I become interested in.”
Zach was a member of several engineering clubs and organizations. He was also part of ONU’s Honors Program, which, he said, “pushed me to go above and beyond in almost every aspect of collegiate life.”
He worked with Josh Gargac, Ph.D., associate professor of mechanical engineering, on an extensive literature review into the microstructure of cortical bone, followed by the development of a program to generate models that mimic micro-CT scans of cortical bone.
Zach also spent a semester abroad studying at the Universitat Politècnica de València in Valencia, Spain, where he took courses in Thermodynamics, Dynamics, Physics 2, and Spanish language. While there, he also explored Budapest, Morocco, Barcelona, and Andalucia.
“The experience changed me by giving me a better appreciation of other cultures and ways of thinking,” he said. “And, I can speak Spanish now, which has had some utility in my life.”
ONU’s mechanical engineering program, says Zach, provided an “incredibly diverse skill set” that prepared him well for his future.
“As an ONU student, I saw and experienced firsthand the character, dedication, and sense of purpose that is cultivated at this university among students and faculty.