Mercer Rising Senior Marina Serra Wins Two National Scholarships

Mercer University rising senior Marina Serra was awarded two prestigious honors: the $5,000 NCEES Professional Licensure Scholarship from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Research Institute and the $2,000 Tau Beta Pi Scholarship.

A biomedical engineering major with a minor in chemistry from Peachtree City, Serra said she is honored to be selected for the awards. “They reflect the incredible support I’ve received from my professors and mentors at Mercer. These scholarships inspire me to keep pursuing work that can meaningfully impact others.”

“We are incredibly proud of Marina and the recognition she has earned from two of the most respected engineering organizations,” said Dr. Laura W. Lackey, dean of the School of Engineering. “She exemplifies the values of academic excellence, service and innovation that define Mercer engineers.”

Recently, Serra co-authored a paper titled “Public Transportation Challenges for People with Mobility Impairments,” which was published as a conference proceeding at the 2025 International Conference on Transportation and Development. Supervised by Dr. Eazaz Sadeghvaziri, assistant professor of civil engineering, the study analyzes barriers faced by individuals who use prosthetics and wheelchairs in transit systems and offers data-driven recommendations to improve accessibility and equity.

“Marina is one of the most driven, intelligent and service-minded students I’ve worked with,” said Dr. Sadeghvaziri. “She brings an extraordinary level of professionalism and initiative to every project she undertakes. Whether conducting systematic literature reviews, presenting at national conferences or mentoring younger students, Marina consistently delivers work of the highest caliber. Her combination of academic excellence, research aptitude and dedication to inclusive engineering solutions sets her apart as a future leader in biomedical engineering.”

Serra’s research focus on enhancing mobility for individuals with disabilities aligns closely with the ACEC Research Institute’s mission to improve public safety and infrastructure. By applying biomedical engineering principles to real-world transportation challenges, she aims to develop assistive technologies and inclusive infrastructure policies that improve equitable access and quality of life for all transit users.

At Mercer, Serra is a member of Phi Kappa Phi and has consistently earned recognition on the President’s List. She is also vice president of the Biomedical Engineering Society, media specialist for the Women in Math and Science Club, and a member of the Engineering Honors Program, the Society of Women Engineers and the Prosthetics and Orthotics Club.

Her hands-on experience includes volunteering in Mercer’s prosthetics lab and conducting research on an off-load knee brace, which she presented at the BMES Annual Conference. In summer 2024, she participated in Mercer On Mission in Vietnam, fitting prosthetic limbs and providing physical therapy. During spring break 2025, she studied biomodeling software in South Korea to advance her interest in medical device customization.

About the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Research Institute and Tau Beta Pi

The ACEC Research Institute’s NCEES Professional Licensure Scholarship is awarded annually to top engineering students pursuing licensure as professional engineers. The Institute is the research and education arm of the American Council of Engineering Companies, supporting future leaders committed to public safety, innovation, and infrastructure development. Tau Beta Pi, founded in 1885, is the nation’s oldest engineering honor society. It recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional scholarship, character, and commitment to service. The organization provides scholarships, fellowships, and leadership development opportunities to support engineering students across the United States.

About Mercer University 

Founded in 1833, Mercer University is a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education. With more than 9,200 students enrolled in 12 schools and colleges, on major campuses in Macon and Atlanta; medical school sites in Macon, Savannah and Columbus; and at regional academic centers in Henry and Douglas counties, Mercer is ranked among the top tier and best values of national research universities by U.S. News & World Report. The Mercer Health Sciences Center includes the University’s School of Medicine and Colleges of Nursing, Health Professions and Pharmacy. Mercer is affiliated with six teaching hospitals – Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center and Piedmont Macon Medical Center in Macon; Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah; Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital and St. Francis-Emory Healthcare in Columbus; and SGMC Health in Valdosta. The University also has an educational partnership with Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins. It operates an academic press and a performing arts center in Macon and an engineering research center in Warner Robins. Mercer Medicine, the clinical faculty practice of the School of Medicine, is based in Macon and operates additional clinics in Sumter, Clay, Putnam, Harris, Taylor and Glynn counties. Mercer is one of only 293 institutions nationwide to shelter a chapter of The Phi Beta Kappa Society, the nation’s most prestigious academic honor society; one of eight institutions to hold membership in the Georgia Research Alliance; and the only private university in Georgia to field an NCAA Division I athletic program. www.mercer.edu.