Hometown: Frisco, TX

Major: Biomedical Engineering

Minors: Chemistry

Class of 2023

GCS Advisor: Dr. George A. Truskey, R. Eugene and Susie E. Goodson Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering

GC Focus: Engineer Better Medicines

GC Thesis Topic: Effect of Adenine Base Editing on a Tissue-Engineered Blood Vessel Model of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome

Hello, my name is Akhil Bedapudi and I am a senior at Duke University majoring in biomedical engineering with a minor in chemistry. I chose to be a part of the Grand Challenge Scholars program because I feel that it is a meaningful educational journey through which I can enhance my engineering skillset while also promoting my personal and professional development. Through the program’s emphasis on global problem-solving, I will take advantage of the opportunity to broaden my worldview and supplement my engineering coursework. 

As an aspiring physician-scientist, my research interests lie in tissue/stem cell engineering and more specifically, in its potential to model disease function and allow for the development of novel treatments and therapeutic interventions. However, conducting biomedical research is just one way in which I hope to “Engineer Better Medicines.” I am also highly committed to engaging in global experiences and service learning that will foster greater cultural competency, enabling me to serve as an empathetic and knowledgeable physician leader in the future. 

As a Grand Challenge Scholar, I ultimately hope to combine my interests in biomedical research, innovation, service learning, and culture into a multifaceted experience, translating what I learn into actionable practices that inform and improve upon the current state of healthcare.