It’s not often you meet someone who has a two biotech degrees from Stanford. Or someone who was on the NCAA Championship cross-country team–twice! Or has been awarded a Rhodes scholarship and is headed off to Oxford to pursue a doctorate. Kate Niehaus is all these people wrapped up in one package.
Kate earned a bachelor’s degree in biomechanical engineering in 2010 and a master’s degree in bioengineering in 2011 – both at Stanford. She plans to pursue a doctorate of philosophy in systems approaches to biomedical science at Oxford. Kate was a member of the the 2006 and 2007 NCAA title cross-country teams for Stanford and and a national qualifier on the track at 5,000 meters. She won the 2010 MPSF title in the indoor 5,000 meters and earned the NCAA Elite 88 Award for havinig the top GPA at the 2009 NCAA Cross Country Championships.
What secret does Kate have that helped her do all this at the same time? Well, she shared her secret with the Monta Vista track & field team on Monday. We had a great time listening to Kate talk about her time at Stanford, some time management strategies, and about the Rhodes Scholarship program and her goals for her time at Oxford.
There were many highlights, including some comments on stress management (yes, sometimes pressure can build up, and we are pursuing important goals because we do want to succeed–but at some point, we still are who we are and tomorrow the sun will come up, so don’t make yourself sick over it) and goals (find something you want to do and be prepared to pursue it with passion because this is something you want to do–like track).
After our talk, Kate joined the distance team for a run to Matadors Point.
By the way, we can see both Kate and Coach Erica compete at the Payton Jordan Invitational at the end of April. See you there!
Thanks, Kate, for a great visit! Come back again, and good luck training for the Trials.
