This Pitt junior won a Goldwater Scholarship for his brain imaging research

University of Pittsburgh bioengineering junior Satyaj Bhargava won a 2025 Goldwater Scholarship, one of the nation’s most prestigious awards for undergraduate researchers in the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics.

In addition to studying in the Swanson School of Engineering and David C. Frederick Honors College, Bhargava works as a student researcher in the Visualization and Image Analysis Laboratory, led by Professor George Stetten.

There, he is developing an algorithm for software designed to help researchers better visualize and analyze the brain’s blood vessels. The tool processes MRI images to map vascular structures and track changes in blood flow throughout the brain, a process known as brain vessel segmentation. This flexible research instrument could enable scientists to explore a wide range of questions about how diseases like Alzheimer’s progress. By improving the way researchers extract and study vascular data from brain scans, Bhargava’s algorithm could support studies comparing changes across age groups, genders, or stages of the disease.

For now, the technology is primarily geared toward research use. But with his work, for which he has also received a Frederick Honors College research fellowship and health sciences research fellowship, Bhargava hopes it could eventually contribute to developing early detection methods and better treatment strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.

“I think one of the biggest reasons why I love doing this research is its potential for a really broad impact on Alzheimer’s disease,” said Bhargava. “And to attack the problem, not by looking at some specific aspect of it, but by creating a solution that enables a lot of different research to be done on Alzheimer’s disease, that’s what really draws me into it and keeps me engaged with it.”

Bhargava is among 441 college juniors and seniors nationwide selected for the scholarship, which was established by Congress in 1986 to honor the legacy of U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater and support students who intend to pursue research careers in STEM fields.

“Satyaj exemplifies the very best of our honors community — intellectually curious, deeply committed to advancing human health and always seeking opportunities to make a meaningful impact,” said Nicola Foote, dean of the Frederick Honors College. “His recognition as a Goldwater scholar reflects not only his exceptional research accomplishments, but also his passion for discovery and his dedication to improving lives through science.”

Bhargava says his research journey has been bolstered by the continued support of his family and guidance from several mentors at Pitt, including Professor Stetten; James Wang, a professor of bioengineering in the Swanson School; and Josh Cannon, director of research at the Frederick Honors College. Outside of the lab, Bhargava also balances a vibrant musical life as a lead percussionist for the Pitt Symphony Orchestra.

Bhargava credits his lab mates and the collaborative environment at Pitt for helping him reach this milestone, adding that receiving the Goldwater Scholarship felt like a confirmation of all his hard work.

“I think with research, it's one of those fields where a lot of the times the work you put in doesn’t always pay off,” he said. “So, to see all the work that I did put into this research project pay off and be recognized by such a prestigious and honorable award, it was a testament to all the work that I put into this project.”

Looking ahead, Bhargava plans to pursue an MD/PhD in biomedical engineering, with the goal of becoming both a practicing surgeon and a research scientist. He hopes to continue exploring ways engineering innovations can transform medical diagnoses.

Photography courtesy of Satyaj Bhargava