Eden Vachtel ’26 

Biomedical Engineering 
Commonwealth Honors College

Lexington, Massachusetts

Biomedical engineering major Eden Vachtel uses engineering and data science tools to address complex health challenges. Her current research examines social, economic, and health-related factors influencing nutrition insecurity—defined as a lack of consistent access to food that is nutritionally adequate to support long-term health—in the United States. This research aims to create a prediction model to inform policies to reduce health problems. She has presented findings from this research at the UMass Amherst Research Experience for Undergraduates symposium, and will present at the Massachusetts Undergraduate Research Conference later this month. Vachtel has also conducted computational chemistry research as a research intern at Northeastern University to identify the most efficient molecules for solar-powered energy, and presented this work at Northwestern University’s research symposium.

How has research enhanced your education at UMass?

My research has fundamentally shaped my education and academic experience at UMass Amherst. It has been a transformative experience applying engineering, public health, and data science in multidisciplinary teams to holistically address current challenges. I have gained experience in large-scale data analysis, machine learning model development, and the  importance of sharing health data clearly and accessibly to a wide range of viewers. This work has deepened my understanding of health disparities and the structural determinants of disease, expanding my perspective beyond traditional biomedical engineering applications. Relatedly, it has provided an opportunity to critically apply skills learned in classroom settings to real-world problems. I enjoy doing this with each new course I participate in, and I look forward to maintaining this approach in my graduate studies and beyond. 

How does your faculty mentor support your work?

Chaitra Gopalappa, associate professor of mechanical and industrial engineering, has been an invaluable mentor throughout my time at UMass Amherst. She continuously supports my work with encouragement, patience, clear guidance, and helpful feedback. She breaks down challenging concepts into digestible steps; provides approachable resources; and creates a learning environment where I feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and growing. Throughout my research, she offers patient direction while encouraging independence, and she actively promotes my professional development by connecting me with conferences, programs, and new opportunities. Her mentorship has been instrumental in my academic, professional, and personal growth. 

What are you most proud of?

I am proud to contribute to and collaborate with an interdisciplinary research team working on a problem that has the potential to make a meaningful impact on many people’s lives. Through developing the methodological framework for a prediction model of nutrition insecurity, we aim to support data-informed solutions that reduce health disparities and improve outcomes. 

I am also proud of the growth I have experienced throughout this process. I entered this role with limited coding experience and independently built the skills needed to develop and work with these models. Additionally, I value the opportunity to engage with the community through volunteering at the Amherst Survival Center, and to continue working alongside such passionate and genuine researchers.

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