Brown University doctoral student in fluid and thermal sciences, Eva Erickson, brought her engineering mindset to Survivor Season 48. As the show’s first openly autistic contestant, she went the distance—making it to the finale and finishing second overall.

Erickson is one of 25 engineers selected for ASME's 2025 Watch List. Full list to be published in the June issue of Mechanical Engineering magazine.

In this episode, she shares insights on her engineering research, her autism advocacy, and the surprising inspiration behind her decision to join Survivor. The episode was recorded shortly after the airing of S48 E05.

Change of Heart #02 - An introduction