Saiabhinav Devulapalli poses at FAMU-FSU College of Engineering in Tallahassee, Florida on April 8, 2025. Devulapalli was an honoree for Florida State University’s 2025 Undergraduate Humanitarian of the Year Award. (Scott Holstein/FAMU-FSU College of Engineering)
Biomedical engineering senior recognized for healthcare innovation and community service
Saiabhinav Devulapalli, a biomedical and chemical engineering senior at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, has been named Florida State University’s Undergraduate Humanitarian of the Year. The Tallahassee native earned this prestigious recognition through his innovative contributions to healthcare technology and commitment to community service.
Devulapalli’s passion for biomedical engineering developed after witnessing healthcare disparities in underserved areas of his community.
“I’ve always wanted to use my engineering to give back something meaningful,” he said. “Seeing people around me struggle to access adequate healthcare sparked my passion for creating innovative solutions that could directly impact lives.”
Engineering Solutions for Real-World Impact
As he approaches graduation, Devulapalli has built an impressive portfolio of humanitarian work. His research focuses on two life-saving technologies: specialized padding to prevent sports-related concussions and a pediatric heart device for infants with congenital defects.
His innovative ATHENGUARD foam, developed through 3D printing technology, offers superior impact absorption compared to traditional padding, significantly reducing athletes’ risk of concussions and other injuries.
“The goal is straightforward: protect players effectively, helping them stay safe and healthy on and off the field,” he explained.
Addressing Critical Pediatric Needs
Devulapalli’s Honors Thesis Research targets an urgent gap in pediatric cardiac care. He’s designing a ventricular assist device (VAD) specifically for infants born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a rare congenital heart defect.
“Currently, no devices are available specifically for these young patients, making treatment challenging,” he explained. His work aims to create a specialized device to support heart function in these vulnerable patients, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life.
Creating Educational Opportunities
One of Devulapalli’s proudest achievements is co-founding the Tallahassee Bioengineering Symposium—now known as the Tallahassee Biotechnology Expo—while serving as Associate Team Lead for FSU iGEM. The event, developed in partnership with the Challenger Learning Center, connects students, researchers and community members through hands-on learning experiences.
“Creating this event allowed me to connect with students, researchers and community members, promoting hands-on learning and showcasing innovative biotechnology projects,” he said. “It was deeply rewarding to see young students inspired by science and the community engaging enthusiastically in bioengineering discussions. This experience highlighted the powerful impact of collaboration and education in driving meaningful change.”
Advice for Aspiring Humanitarians
Devulapalli encourages fellow students to start their service journey by identifying issues they genuinely care about.
“Begin small—look closely at your community or areas you connect with personally,” he advised. “Talk to people affected by the issue, ask thoughtful questions, and truly listen to their experiences. Once you understand the challenge, act by using your strengths, skills and available resources. Don’t wait for the perfect solution; even small, consistent efforts can create a significant impact over time.”
Following graduation, Devulapalli plans to apply to medical school while continuing his research in Professor Tristan Driscoll’s laboratory at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering during a gap year.
His journey demonstrates how engineering skills combined with compassion can address critical healthcare challenges and create meaningful community impact.
Editor’s Note: This article was edited with a custom prompt for Claude 3.7 Sonnet, an AI assistant created by Anthropic. The AI improved clarity, structure and readability while preserving the original reporting and factual content. All information and viewpoints remain those of the author and publication. This disclosure is part of our commitment to transparency in our editorial process. Last edited: April 16, 2025.
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