Berat Gulecyuz

Berat Gulecyuz is a senior majoring in bioengineering with a concentration in biomechanics and a minor in Anthropology. She was born and raised in Lemont and Chicago, Illinois in a family of Illini engineers and grew up passionate about making a change in the medical and engineering realm.

Upon arriving at the Illinois and Grainger College of Engineering campus, Berat quickly got involved with volunteering in her community. Being the Community Service Director in Society of Women Engineers and the Volunteer Coordinator for Biomedical Engineering Society as an underclassman, Berat dedicated much of her time and efforts to helping the Champaign-Urbana community. She has also been very passionate outside of the college of engineering through her role as a project associate in a social entrepreneurship organization, Illinois Enactus, and a member of the University’s premiere RSO Student Alumni Ambassadors.

In her academic career, Berat has conducted research in the Tissue Biomechanics Lab and for engineering education in the Mechanical Engineering Department. Berat has taken her love for education into her jobs on campus by being a course assistant for TAM 210/211 and BIOE 201, and by teaching incoming freshmen as an Engineering Learning Ambassador.

The Grainger College of Engineering and the Women in Engineering (WIE) Department have shown Berat what it feels like to be a part of an inspirational and supportive community of the best engineers in the world. Leading the WIE freshman orientation for her last twoyears has been her greatest joy and biggest accomplishment, as she was able to be a mentor and a friend to hundreds of incoming female engineers. Berat hopes to continue her endeavors by attending graduate school to further her biomechanics education.

Berat is very honored to have this recognition, and would like to express her gratitude to everyone who has supported her, from her family, twin sister and brother (who are also fellow Illini!), her friends, and the Bioengineering department for always showing their love and support throughout her undergraduate experience. Berat will be an Illini forever, even after she graduates.