Darby Hanes

Fulbright/Durham University Award

Darby Hanes grew up in southern Texas and earned a dual degree in Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering from Texas Tech University at the age of nineteen. She will continue her studies at Durham University, where she’ll pursue an MSc in Bioengineering. Darby first discovered bioengineering during her freshman year and quickly realized it was the perfect intersection of her love for engineering and her desire to help people. Her research at Durham will focus on improving the performance of cardiac assist devices, which currently face high failure rates within just a few years.

At Texas Tech, Darby served in multiple student organizations. As President of the Society of Physics Students and Avionics Director for the Raider Aerospace Society, she led hands-on workshops, mentored new STEM majors, and fostered a welcoming, inclusive community. In her free time, she is currently developing a dual-stage sounding rocket and beginning to explore remotely operated vehicle (ROV) technology. She is also learning violin and enjoys finding new ways to fill her sketchbooks.
Darby looks forward to exploring museums and rural landscapes across the UK. She’s especially excited to study at a Russell Group university and immerse herself in the UK’s academic and cultural life.