Naciye Atay

“Naciye Atay is a fantastic human being,” said her nominator. “Quick to smile, smart, focused on others, kind, and determined to make a difference.” 

Naciye is a Ph.D. candidate in the Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics program and a graduate research assistant in the Munson lab, which focuses on cancer research. Naciye’s work there centers on analyzing fluid flow in and around glioblastomas , the most common and deadliest brain tumor in adults, to improve delivery of drug therapies. 

As a Fralin Commercialization Fellow, she proposed the development of a device to assess the severity of obstructive sleep apnea, one of her many initial ideas centered on improving the health of others. 

After the Turkish earthquake in February, Naciye’s first instinct, like many in the Virginia Tech Turkish Student Association, was to provide help. Naciye’s efforts were distinctive as the association’s sole representative on the Virginia Tech Carilion Health Sciences and Technology Campus, where she took personal responsibility to lead aid efforts in the Roanoke campus community. 

Naciye prioritized needs based on information from the Turkish Embassy website and raised funds with her friends and through extended networks. Raising $2,000, she purchased 45 sleeping bags and had them all delivered to the Turkish Embassy – within five days after the earthquake. 

Complementing the Turkish Student Association’s effort, Naciye quickly organized a donation drive at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute that collected so many donations that she spent most of a day transporting and preparing them for delivery to the embassy with the association. 

Naciye secured commitments from Roanoke businesses including over one thousand coats, the use of a 25,000-person email list to send appeals for help, and the use of two stores as drop-off locations for donations. 

Ut Prosim is a thread connecting Naciye’s life, relationships, and daily work as a doctoral student in cancer research. She said, “I find it exciting to work on challenging problems, but mostly I want to serve as a hope for people affected by glioblastoma. 

“It is important to realize the privileges and resources we have and think of ways to use our personal perspectives, abilities, and means to create opportunities of service,” Naciye said. “Taking action not only helps those we are serving, but it also helps ourselves.” 

It is an honor to present the Aspire! Award for EMBRACE UT PROSIM AS A WAY OF LIFE to Naciye Atay.