Awarded in 2026
Home Department: Bioengineering
Faculty Advisors: Todd Coleman (Bioengineering), Zhenan Bao (Chemical Engineering), Kenneth Weber (Anesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine), and Nichole Tyson (Obstetrics & Gynecology)

Research Title: Non-Invasive Monitoring of Uterine Contractions Throughout the Menstrual Cycle

Abnormal uterine contractions throughout the menstrual cycle are linked to infertility, endometriosis, and other reproductive health issues, yet remain poorly understood due to a lack of tools that can track them. Sophia is developing a low-cost, wearable device to measure these contractions non-invasively, opening a new path for women’s health research and care.