Herff College of Engineering

Graduate Wins Prestigious NSF Fellowship for Rare Disease Research

University of Memphis biomedical engineering graduate Alexandra Snyder (’25) has been awarded the highly competitive National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP) to support her doctoral research on Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS), a group of rare connective tissue disorders.

Snyder, who earned her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering in May 2025, entered the University’s Ph.D. program this fall. Her research focuses on Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), the most common type of EDS and the only one without a known genetic marker. By advancing understanding of hEDS, Snyder aims to improve diagnostic tools and treatment options for patients facing this challenging condition.

“The NSF fellowship is not only a tremendous honor, but also an opportunity to pursue research that could make a real difference for patients and families living with hEDS,” Snyder said.

The NSF GRFP is one of the nation’s most prestigious awards for graduate students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Fellows receive three years of support, including a $37,000 annual stipend and $16,000 in educational funding for their institution.

“Alexandra’s achievement highlights the caliber of students and research emerging from the Herff College of Engineering,” said Dr. Gary Bowlin, chair for Biomedical Engineering. “Her work has the potential to transform understanding of a condition that affects thousands of lives.”

For more information, please contact:

Kimberly Rogers
Assistant Director,
Marketing and Communication, Herff College of Engineering
krogers@memphis.edu