Mutnick has been part of the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University since she was a high school senior and worked as an intern in Cassie Mitchell’s lab. That was the beginning of a long line of research experiences that took Mutnick to other labs at Tech as well as the University of Houston and Tel Aviv University in Israel.

“I have had a lot of research experience as I narrowed down my particular field of interest, and I am so grateful for every opportunity I have had the honor of pursuing,” said Mutnick, whose work has included co-authoring a study published in 2021. She has worked in data science, tested wheelchair cushion performance, and helped develop customizable 3D-printed hand splints for children with cerebral palsy. Now she’s looking at doctorate programs, where being a Goldwater Scholar will help set her apart, she said.

“Applying for the Goldwater Scholarship helped me learn how to write about my experiences and goals in a coherent manner, which are skills that I will take with me when applying for graduate programs and graduate fellowships,” Mutnick said. “Being named a Goldwater Scholar will help my graduate application both in prestige and the skillset to talk about how my past experiences contribute to my career goals.” 

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation selects scholars based on their potential to become the nation’s next generation of research leaders. Mutnick wants to pursue a Ph.D. and a faculty position at a research university, driven by a desire to both represent and help people with disabilities. 

Mutnick has a brittle-bone condition that means she uses crutches or a wheelchair sometimes to get around. After spending significant time in doctors’ offices as a child, she said, “I knew I wanted to help people in my disabled community, and that I loved math and science. I thought, ‘How cool would it be to make prosthetics?’ and that is when I discovered biomedical engineering.”