Augusta Ekpemogu, from Nigeria, is completing a Ph. in mechanical engineering at North Carolina State University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in building services engineering, both from universities in Nigeria. Her experience, research, and career goals are united by a single purpose: to use engineering as a tool to advance women’s health.
Augusta is applying her engineering background to develop improved treatments for uterine fibroids. An established minimally invasive treatment option, uterine fibroid embolization, can sometimes affect healthy uterine tissue and impact fertility. Drawing on her expertise in material behavior and properties, she applies principles from biomechanics and biomaterials to study how these materials interact with the human body and tissue. Her doctoral research focuses on understanding the biomechanical effects of uterine fibroid embolization on uterine tissue, particularly material-tissue interactions, and on developing safer embolic materials.
Beyond her research, Augusta actively contributes to her community through volunteering and outreach activities that support children, including initiatives that inspire interest in STEM.
In the long term, Augusta aims to work as a research and development engineer in the biotechnology or healthcare industry, advancing therapeutic technologies for uterine fibroids and other conditions affecting women’s health. She also plans to expand her mentorship and outreach efforts to encourage young women to pursue careers in engineering and biomedical science.
