Anna Yang, a Ph.D. student with the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, was among the 15 Gator engineers who won National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships this year.
The Graduate Research Fellowship Program, known as GRFP, provides three years of financial support over five years to graduate students who have demonstrated potential for significant research achievements. Since 1952, GRFP has supported over 70,000 graduate research fellows. More than 40 former fellows have received Nobel Prizes, according to NSF.
Yang is pursuing a doctorate specializing in human factors engineering and computational biomechanics. Her research focuses on physics-based modeling to better understand human performance and injury mechanisms, particularly in the brain and spine. Yang’s work combines computational modeling with interdisciplinary approaches to address challenges in high-risk environments.
“I aim to develop integrated human-machine systems that improve injury prediction, inform prevention strategies and enable safer human-centered designs,” she said. “My ultimate goal is to apply advanced computational approaches to improve human safety, performance and healthcare outcomes in industries such as automotive, aerospace and occupational systems.”