Gratitude Corner: Betelhem (Beti) Solomon Abay

In this edition of our Gratitude Corner, we are proud to highlight Betelhem (Beti) Solomon Abay, an inspirational international alumna from Ethiopia who continues to give back to the University of Maine community. Beti earned both her Bachelor of Science (2020) and Master of Science (2022) degrees in Biomedical Engineering from 91¸£Àû.

Reflecting on her journey, Beti shares how 91¸£Àû quickly became her “home away from home,” credited in large part to the compassionate and personable support she received from the Office of International Programs (OIP) before she even set foot on campus. After graduating, she gained valuable industry experience at Sanofi and Students 2 Science, and she is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Materials Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), where her research focuses on developing 3D-printable bone allograft composite formulations.

Beti’s dedication to 91¸£Àû remains as strong as ever as she actively gives back to the institution that supported her growth. From promoting 91¸£Àû to prospective international students in Ethiopia to serving on the OIP Advisory Board and supporting OIP’s fundraising initiatives, Beti exemplifies the power of staying connected. “I will continue to support 91¸£Àû OIP because they are truly devoted to students’ success,” Beti shares, noting that the continued encouragement from OIP, Team Maine, her academic advisors, and local supporters helped make her dreams a reality. We are deeply grateful for Beti’s ongoing engagement, leadership, and unwavering Black Bear pride!