Vanessa Young's story is a remarkable one, transitioning from the demanding world of U.S. Army combat medic to becoming a student researcher at Kennesaw State University. This journey has set her on a path to reshape healthcare technology through human-centered designs.

Transforming Healthcare through Human-Centered Designs

From Army to University

Vanessa Young joined the Army as a combat medic after high school, driven by a desire to help others. After completing training at Fort Sam Houston, she was deployed to Afghanistan in 2019. There, she faced the high-pressure environment of providing medical support. "Afghanistan was very demanding," Young said. "But it taught me how to think on my feet and manage a team under stress."Upon returning, she worked as a paramedic and continued her medical training. During this time, she realized her passion for problem-solving and systems thinking. A visit to Kennesaw State University confirmed her decision to explore the field of engineering.

Academic Journey at Kennesaw State

Graduating this week with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Young has achieved significant success. She earned second place at the 2024 ASME IMECE Undergraduate Expo in Portland, Oregon. Her presentation focused on integrating human-centered design principles with technology to create safer, more efficient healthcare environments.Young has been working in the lab of Ayse Tekes, an associate professor in the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology. She is focused on developing compliant joints and soft robots and designing affordable 3D-printed lab equipment for undergraduate engineering courses. "I feel fortunate to work with Vanessa, who has a deep passion for research and an ambitious vision of developing biomimetic exoskeleton designs inspired by nature," Tekes said.Through her work in the lab, Young's medical background led her to biomimetic joints and assistive devices. Recently, their research team collaborated with Georgia Tech on biomimetic knee joints for exoskeletons. "We're designing soft, flexible devices that better support natural motion, shifting from rigid joints to adaptive, personalized assistive technologies," Young said. "We're also using compliant mechanisms to create these biometric designs. This is a rapidly emerging field that offers a fundamentally new approach to engineering design."Young presented at the ASME iMechE International Engineering Conference in Portland, Oregon, and received valuable feedback. She was recognized with a second-place award at the conference's Undergraduate Expo. "It was surreal winning second place at such a prestigious competition," Young said. "It showed that all the hard work we put into this project was paying off. I was excited to present in front of such a global audience. It fueled my passion and gave me more drive to keep pushing forward."

Future Plans

After graduation, Young will pursue a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Engineering. She plans to continue her focus on developing soft, flexible designs for assistive technologies. "My long-term goal is to expand the field of biomimetic design, especially in creating adaptable, human-centered healthcare devices," Young said. "When I graduate, it won't feel like a completion; it will feel like I'm just getting started."Vanessa Young's story is a testament to the power of determination and the pursuit of one's passions. Through her work, she is making a significant impact on the field of healthcare technology.