Blinded by scEYEnce
Biological Engineers Elizabeth Vargis and Sophia Hessami
ELIZABETH VARGIS, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
SOPHIA HESSAMI, UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOW, 2024 GOLDWATER SCHOLAR
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
Date
FRIDAY, March 21, 2025
7 p.m. Eccles Science Learning Center,
Emert Auditorium, Room ESLC 130
Hands-on learning activities and refreshments follow the talk in the Eccles Science Learning Center atrium.
Admission is free and all ages are welcome.
Directions and Parking Information
Talk Description
Biological engineers Sophia Hessami, an undergraduate researcher, and her mentor, Professor Elizabeth Vargis, will share their journey in conducting impactful research at USU, focusing on their work to better understand age-related macular degeneration (AMD)—a leading cause of vision loss. Through an engaging activity where volunteers from the audience will wear glasses mimicking AMD’s effects, they’ll explain how this disease impacts sight and discuss the scientific methods used to study it. They’ll also highlight Sophia’s personal path to becoming an Aggie and reflect on the powerful role of mentorship and undergraduate research in shaping careers and fostering discovery.