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KENNESAW, Ga. | Dec 10, 2024

From U.S. Army combat medic to student researcher, Vanessa Young鈥檚 journey at Kennesaw State University has set her on the path to reshape healthcare technology through human-centered designs.

Graduating this week with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in mechanical engineering, Young has achieved significant success since arriving at Kennesaw State鈥檚 Marietta Campus. Notably, she earned second place at the 2024 ASME IMECE Undergraduate Expo in Portland, Oregon. Her presentation centered around the innovative approach to integrating human-centered design principles with technology to create safer, more efficient healthcare environments.

Young has also worked in the lab of Ayse Tekes, an associate professor in the of Engineering and Engineering Technology, where she is focused on developing compliant joints and soft robots and designing affordable 3D-printed lab equipment for undergraduate engineering courses to make engineering accessible to the faculty and students.

鈥淚 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,鈥� Tekes said.

Raised in Gwinnett County, Georgia, 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, where she provided medical support in a high-pressure environment.

鈥淎fghanistan was very demanding,鈥� Young said. 鈥淏ut it taught me how to think on my feet and manage a team under stress.鈥�

Upon returning, Young worked as a paramedic and continued her medical training. During this time, she realized her passion for problem-solving and systems thinking. She saw how engineering could offer solutions to challenges in healthcare, prompting her to explore the field. A visit to Kennesaw State University confirmed her decision.

"I walked across campus, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized engineering was my next step," Young said.

Young soon transitioned to mechanical engineering, where her passion for problem-solving grew. It was then that she met Tekes, an expert in dynamics and controls, who introduced her to 3D printing research. This experience became a turning point in Young鈥檚 academic journey.

Young joined Tekes鈥� lab to participate in a project designed to make engineering more accessible through affordable 3D-printed lab equipment. This project allowed her to combine her passion for helping others with her interest in innovation. Young credits Tekes for much of her success.

鈥淪he鈥檚 been an incredible mentor and has shaped my career in ways I never imagined,鈥� Young said.

Through her work in the lab, Young鈥檚 medical background led her to biomimetic joints and assistive devices such as exoskeletons and orthotics, aimed at improving mobility for people with disabilities. Recently, their research team is 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,鈥� Young said. We鈥檙e also using compliant mechanism 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, where she received valuable feedback on her work. 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,鈥� Young said. 鈥淚t 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."

One of the most rewarding aspects of her work, Young says, is the unexpected opportunities that have come her way, including travel, lab access, and working with passionate peers.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a great feeling working with others who share the same passions,鈥� Young said. 鈥淏eing able to work with my lab members and present at conferences has been incredible. I never expected any of this before coming to KSU.鈥�

After graduation, Young will pursue a . She plans to continue her focus on developing soft, flexible designs for assistive technologies.

鈥淢y long-term goal is to expand the field of biomimetic design, especially in creating adaptable, human-centered healthcare devices,鈥� Young said. 鈥淲hen I graduate, it won鈥檛 feel like a completion; it will feel like I鈥檓 just getting started.鈥�

鈥� Story by Raynard Churchwell

Photos by Darnell Wilburn

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 色色啦. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.