Her family including her father who is a pediatrician initially attributed her discomfort to poor posture. But after a slow recovery from COVID in 2022, Safa began to take her health more seriously. A sharp pinch in her back led her to a series of doctor visits while in Indianapolis. That’s when she received the diagnosis along with news of her hypermobility. A condition that explained not only her symptoms but also her oddly flexible joints.
Safa Vucsko: From Recovery to Regulatory Science
For Safa Vucsko, the path to biomedical engineering was shaped by lived experience. Diagnosed with bilateral hip dysplasia in 2023 after years of undetected back pain, Safa underwent four surgeries including two periacetabular osteotomies (PAOs) and a labral repair that changed the course of her life and career.
The recovery was intense. Each PAO requires six weeks of non-weight bearing followed by long stretches of physical therapy. She slowly graduated from using a cane and was able to walk again in May 2024 shortly after her second surgery. A month ago, she had the seven screws from her PAOs removed and has already noticed improved stability and less frequent joint pain.
The journey has given Safa a unique understanding of the healthcare system. Both as a patient and a future leader in biomedical engineering. A 2021 Purdue BME graduate, she returned to West Lafayette to pursue her professional master’s degree with a concentration in Regulatory Affairs and Regulatory Sciences in Medical Devices.
“I really liked that the PMP program focused on device development and it was nice having a track to follow,” she says. “Having regulatory affairs in the curriculum is great because these foundations are key to any role.”
Before returning to Purdue, Safa worked in consulting but found herself missing the sense of direct impact. Through the PMP program she found clarity and connection to the field. She’s also found community, especially in conversations with other young women navigating similar diagnoses.
After graduation, Safa plans to move to Pittsburgh with her family, where she hopes to make an impact in the medical device space.