Celebrating Four Engineering Innovators Named in Women Who Empower Awards
Four Northeastern University College of Engineering alumnae and students were recognized in the 2026 Women Who Empower Innovator Awards, celebrating bold leadership, creative problem-solving, and entrepreneurial impact across medical technology, health, and wellness.
Innovator Fellows
Two engineering alumnae were selected as 2026 Innovator Fellows, joining an immersive nine-month program providing mentorship, global connections, and strategic support to accelerate their ventures:
- Ana Eugenia Carvajal Minvielle, E ’16, chemical engineering – Founder of Vie, a precision medicine platform that models individual female biology to enable earlier diagnosis and personalized reproductive healthcare.
- Katie Karmelek, E BS ’06, MS ’08, mechanical engineering – Founder of Chamfr, a digital marketplace in the MedTech space that connects R&D engineers with qualified suppliers to source critical components and equipment for medical device development.
Category Winners
Engineering innovators also secured top placements in competitive award categories:
- Nicole Khoury, E ’20, industrial engineering – earned 2nd Place in Entrepreneurial Leadership for Journée, a clean, functional beverage designed to replace overstimulating artificial energy drinks with balanced energy and support for cognitive wellness.
- Zoe Smith, E ’26, bioengineering, MS ’27, chemical engineering – earned 3rd Place in Health & Wellness for Ritua, a digital platform delivering private, 25-minute fitness sessions engineered to adapt to individual needs and fit seamlessly into demanding workdays.
Launched in 2021, the Women Who Empower Innovator Awards program celebrates changemakers across Northeastern’s global network, offering grant funding, mentorship, and access to an expansive community of women leaders and entrepreneurs.
Related Story: Northeastern announces recipients of 2026 Women Who Empower Innovator Awards