Zoe Drechsel

Zoe Drechsel always knew she wanted to pursue a career in medicine, though not in the traditional sense. Drawn equally to math, biology and physics, she found her perfect fit studying biomedical engineering in the School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University.

Throughout her time in the Fulton Schools, Drechsel focused her academic and project work on women’s health, a cause deeply meaningful to her. Motivated by the gaps in care and research, she sought opportunities to make a difference through innovation. One of her most impactful experiences involved designing the concept for a wearable device to monitor cortisol levels in postpartum mothers. 

“Postpartum is hard, and it looks different for everyone,” she says. “We wanted to create something that could take even a small amount of stress off new moms who are already dealing with so much.”

Her senior capstone project continued this mission, as her team developed a device aimed at reducing pain and anxiety during routine gynecological visits. At the Biomedical Engineering Symposium in December of 2025, Drechsel witnessed firsthand how meaningful their project could be. 

“We received so many personal stories and such passionate feedback from women,” she says. “Seeing that kind of impact in real time was incredibly special.”

Beyond the classroom, Drechsel expanded her perspective through service and leadership. As a participant in Engineering Projects in Community Service, or EPICS, she worked on a global initiative building bridges for monkeys in Vietnam. That experience pushed her beyond her biomedical focus and highlighted the broader reach of engineering solutions.

Drechsel’s commitment to well-rounded growth is reflected in her proudest accomplishment: completing the Grand Challenges Scholars Program. Through courses in ethics, cultural awareness, business and entrepreneurship, she broadened her understanding of engineering’s role in society. 

“Presenting my work and being recognized by the National Academy of Engineering was surreal,” she said. “It made me realize how much I’ve grown — not just as a student, but as a person.”

After graduation, she plans to remain in Arizona to continue her education, with the goal of pursuing a career in clinical trial research for women’s health. 

“Medicine is evolving every day,” she says. “I’m excited to be part of a field that directly contributes to that progress.”

Favorites

Hobby: Exercising
Band: Noah Kahan
TV show: New Girl
Movie: The Proposal

Read about other exceptional graduates of the Fulton Schools’ spring 2026 class.

Written by Hannah Weisman