Megan Tan receives MTT-S graduate scholarship
Graduate student Megan Tan was recently awarded an MTT-S Undergraduate/Pre-graduate Scholarship by the IEEE Microwave Theory and Technology Society (MTT-S). Up to 20 scholarships are awarded in two competitions a year with the purpose of attracting bachelor’s and master’s degree students to the microwave and RF discipline, and encouraging them to pursue a doctoral degree or a career in this field.
Tan is a student pursuing her master’s degree in electrical engineering under the supervision of Rhonda R. Franklin (McKnight Presidential Endowed Professor and IEM Abbott Professor of Innovative Education). In a recent Q&A, Tan shares her journey to electrical engineering, what drives her interest in RF and microwave technology, and her future plans in the field.
How did your interest in electrical engineering develop?
Much of my interest in electrical engineering developed through my parents, classes in school, and my academic strengths. I can remember the times when my mom would test my addition, subtraction, and multiplication with Disney princess-themed flashcards, and when my dad showed me how to count in binary. I had a natural inclination to math and science, which they really supported. Whether it was watching an episode of NOVA together or taking my sisters and me out to the Science Museum, my parents played a big role in supporting my education. I was always fascinated by what I learned in my science and engineering classes in school. Understanding how plants grow, building and testing my own mousetrap car, and writing a program to control a machine - these all gave me a peek behind the curtain of what a career in STEM might look like.
I liked science and technology because my classes taught me the basic principles behind why the natural world works in the way that it does and how I can harness the basic principles of a subject area, such as physics, to create something new and useful.
How did you narrow down your interests to ultimately choose electrical engineering?
Growing up, I knew for a fact that I wanted to have a career in science or engineering. I thoroughly enjoyed chemistry in high school, especially the units on acids/bases and electrochemistry. Physics didn’t come quite so naturally to me as chemistry, but I loved the unit on circuit analysis and the end-of-the-year project, where we built a DIY electric motor. In the end, I chose electrical engineering, mainly because of the applications in technology. With a degree in electrical engineering, I could work on anything from the processors in smartphones to the radiation-hardened electronics that go into space, and I thought that sounded pretty cool. Right now, one of my main interests is in high-frequency design. An experience that sparked my interest in this was the junior year circuits lab at the University, which guided us through the implementation of basic amplitude modulation (AM) circuits and signal processing.
How did you end up settling on the University of Minnesota as your institution of choice?
I wanted to go to a school that had a lot of resources to support me academically. In the end, I chose the University of Minnesota because of the in-state tuition, the extracurricular opportunities for practical experience in engineering design, and the wide variety of STEM degree programs (since I was still not quite sure of which degree to pursue going into college). Once I started school, I was also able to experience many other great opportunities that I hadn’t even considered beforehand, such as the UROP program with Professor Chris Kim, research with Professor Rhonda Franklin, and SCALE-Con just a couple of months ago.
What triggered your interest in microwave theory/technology and the area in general?
There were a couple of experiences that triggered my interest in microwave technology. One was the junior circuits lab that introduced me to signal processing, filtering, and AM circuits. The other was through an internship that involved some RF system design. I found it really interesting how information could be sent and received across hundreds of miles in real time without requiring a physical wire connection.
What is it that fascinates you the most about this area?
RF and microwave technology are an integral part of daily life for much of society. Every time we look up information on the Internet, use GPS to guide our travels, or simply make a phone call, we are using systems based on microwave and information theory. Through my career, I hope to push the boundaries of the field and support the design of new and current applications of RF.
Can you take us briefly through your experience in the SCALE (Scalable Asymmetric Lifecycle Engagement) program?
SCALE focuses on developing the semiconductor workforce in colleges through various events, such as semiconductor fabrication workshops at the Minnesota Nano Center and talks with industry professionals. I joined SCALE at the end of 2025, so the main event I’ve participated in was SCALE-Con, the program’s first networking conference where SCALE students had the opportunity to share their research and hear from leaders in the semiconductor industry.
You are a graduate student now. What was a driver for you to pursue a graduate degree?
One of the main drivers for me was that one of my goals is to work in R&D (Research and Development) out of college. Many of these jobs require a Master's or Ph.D., so having a graduate degree would be very helpful. I'm not currently considering a Ph.D. program, so after my master’s degree, my current plan is to go straight into industry.
What would you like to be when you grow up, or where do you see yourself going in the future?
Right now, I think it would be exciting to become a technical expert in communication systems. It is certainly a goal I could see myself working towards for the next several years. The projects and work I've done at the University have given me a solid background to be successful in it. Beyond this, there are also some side quests that I would love to explore such as business leadership or piano accompaniment roles. At the end of the day, it's important to remember that a meaningful and purposeful life is characterized by more than just a single job— it encompasses every other aspect of daily life, too. In whatever path I take, I hope my life reflects what it means to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Recipients of the MTT-S undergraduate scholarship program commit to a research project relevant to their interests and career pathway and attend an MTTS-sponsored conference or symposium. The scholarship program also provides monetary support for projects and a certificate of recognition for the recipient. Learn more about the program.