Alara Berkmen, a biomedical engineering student, is recognized for leadership and dedication to cancer research.
Alara Berkmen, a USC Viterbi senior studying biomedical engineering, recently won the prestigious 2025 Astronaut Scholarship award for her research in pediatric cancers. She received $15,000 toward her USC tuition and will have access to extensive mentorship, professional development and networking.
“In my application, I wrote about how my current work and dreams tie into each other,” said Berkmen, who is pursuing a progressive degree program (PDP) in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. “Seeing that both the USC and ASF (Astronaut Scholarship Foundation) boards believed in me made an impact on how I view myself and my confidence going forward.”
This year, ASF awarded 74 scholarships nationwide, worth up to $15,000 each.
The scholarship, which supports leaders in technology and innovation, is one of the largest merit-based monetary awards for undergraduate STEM juniors and seniors. It was initially launched in 1986 by surviving members of the Mercury 7, the original cohort of American astronauts.
“In addition to her outstanding academic record, Alara has distinguished herself as a California Institute of Regenerative Medicine undergraduate fellow at Children’s Hospital L.A. through her research in Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer,” said David D’Argenio, a USC Viterbi professor of biomedical engineering, who nominated Berkmen for the award. “Her accomplishments fit the Astronaut Scholarship criteria perfectly.”
At the ASF Innovators Gala in Houston from Aug. 13 to Aug. 16, Berkmen presented her work on modeling pediatric cancer in zebrafish to study metastasis. She met other scholars, toured NASA and connected with prominent astronauts and mentors, including Eileen Collins, the first woman to pilot the space shuttle, and Ashley Monahan, Berkmen’s direct mentor from ASF who is guiding her through graduate and grant applications.
Berkmen’s research is deeply personal. After losing a close family member to misdiagnosed childhood leukemia, Berkmen found purpose in learning about alternatives in cancer research, biomedical engineering and regenerative medicine. Her studies focus on metastasis in rare pediatric cancers, leveraging zebrafish as powerful imaging models.
“Think of my work as combining electrical and mechanical engineering with human-centered impact,” Berkmen said. “This means making sure our medical devices are accessible, biocompatible and considerate of the patient’s experience.”
Berkmen’s involvement with USC COMPASS, a comprehensive program preparing juniors and seniors for careers in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, allows her to work alongside her principal investigator, Dr. James Amatruda, professor of pediatrics and medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, in the lab.
Berkmen also currently serves as the president of USC Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and as the director of community outreach for USC Helenes, one of the university’s oldest service organizations.
“Being part of Helenes has shown me how to serve with passion, give back to the community through different initiatives and apply various perspectives,” she said.
Berkmen’s leadership at SWE includes developing an advocacy and wellness initiative for new members. As a teaching assistant, she said she affirms her passion for blending research, medicine and mentorship in academic instruction.
After graduation, Berkmen plans to apply to M.D. and M.D./Ph.D. programs that combine research and translational medicine.
“Viterbi does a great job of encouraging students to go beyond our studies as engineers and to become leaders who are active in organizations and clubs,” Berkmen said. “I’m also grateful for the strong bond within the Trojan network that reminds me I’ll always have a backup plan.”