Ava Burgess

Ava Burgess is from Charlotte, NC and is graduating as an Engineering Major and a concentration in Biomedical Engineering. Her passion for Neural Engineering was fostered in her time at Wake Forest Engineering through EGR 281 which allowed to conduct independent research in Neural engineering. Ava’s capstone design project, Pediatric Prosthetic Heart Valve, with the guidance of the guidance Mr. Brandon Eberl, Dr. Olga Pierrakos, aims to design a prosthetic heart valved for pediatric patients that grows with the patient as they age. In addition to her capstone design project, Ava interned at NASCAR as a Safety Engineer where she analyzed crash simulation data and constructed finite models to inform the design of the 2022-2023 NextGen Model Car. Ava also conducted undergraduate research in the Center of Injury and Biomechanics at WFSOM-Biotech under Dr. Ashely Weaver studying bone and muscle degradation in astronauts.

Ava’s favorite class at Wake Engineering was Transport Phenomena (EGR 212) with Dr. Yazdani, where an interest for biomedical engineering was expressed and she was able to complete work related to neuroengineering that has led her to opt graduate school post-graduation. Additionally, Ava was a director for the EGR Learning and Support Center, served as the Chair for Student Advising in the Office of Academic Advising for 2 years as well as on the Engineering Advisory Board, and was a tutor in Student Athlete Services and the Center of Learning, Access, and Student Success.

Ava plans to attend graduate school opting for a PhD in Biomedical Engineering with a focus on Neural Engineering.

Second Major, Minor, Concentration – Biomedical Engineering Concentration

Internship(s) – NASCAR

Undergraduate Research – CBI

Leadership – EGR Learning and Support, Chair for Student Advising

Other – Tutor in several different mentoring organizations