2025 Goldwater Scholarship Nominee
Eda Erdogmus, E’26, bioengineering, was nominated for a 2025 Barry Goldwater Scholarship, a highly competitive, merit-based award for outstanding students in mathematics, the natural sciences, and engineering who are interested in pursuing careers in research.
Eda Erdogmus E’26, bioengineering
Mentors: Alfredo Cardenas-Rivera, postdoctoral research associate, bioengineering, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital staff members Wesley Nogueira Brandao, research fellow in neurology, Madison Carpenter, informatician, and Ana Brandao, lab manager at The Butovsky Lab
Home state: Massachusetts
Eda Erdogmus is a third-year student in the honors bioengineering program specializing in cellular engineering, with a strong interest in developing novel immuno-engineering approaches to combat neurodegenerative diseases. She began her research in the Northeastern OMNI Lab, led by Mohammad Abbas Yaseen, assistant professor of bioengineering, where she investigated non-pharmacological interventions for neurodegenerative diseases using advanced microscopy techniques. Her dedication to this work earned her PEAK Base Camp and Ascent Awards from Northeastern’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships to study how physical exercise can help preserve the neurovascular unit in murine models of Alzheimer’s Disease. To expand her expertise, Erdogmus joined the lab of Oleg Butovsky, associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, at the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, which is part of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She explored the potential of Xenon inhalation therapy to beneficially modulate microglia and mitigate Alzheimer’s symptoms in mice. Through these experiences, she developed a deep appreciation for the intersection of bioengineering, neuroscience, and immunology in tackling complex neurological disorders. Erdogmus presented her work at Northeastern’s RISE Expo and the Brigham Research Institute. In the future she intends to pursue a PhD in immuno-engineering to improve the lives of patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. Outside the lab, she enjoys baking fresh bread and knitting hats for her two beloved cats.