Idman's vision is to transform neurological care by developing technologies and institutions that uplift underserved communities and ensure that innovation serves everyone.

Idman Gabayre is pursuing a master’s degree in neural engineering at U-M Ann Arbor, where her work focuses on bioelectrical systems, neuromodulation, and AI applications in clinical neuroscience. Her academic and professional path has been shaped by early responsibilities as her parents’ translator, advocate, and anchor after arriving in the U.S. as a refugee at age 13 – skills that have shaped her persistence, leadership, and commitment to building systems that include those often left out.

Idman’s career began with over six years in clinical neurodiagnostics, where she witnessed firsthand the limitations of current tools for patients with epilepsy. This inspired her to return to graduate school to bridge clinical practice with innovation. At Michigan, Idman has advanced that vision through the Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, where she is developing an AI-powered seizure detection platform, and through Sling Health, where her team’s medical device innovation placed second nationally and is progressing toward a patent. She also contributes to cutting-edge research in the Computational Epilepsy Lab, structuring and mapping intracranial EEG data to support machine learning models for seizure localization.

Idman’s advocacy extends beyond the lab. She founded the Somali Student Association at U-M and previously led the SSA at Michigan State University, creating platforms for cultural connection, mentorship, and public health outreach. She also serves on the Muslim Graduate Student Association Executive Board, building inclusive communities across disciplines.

Rooted in Somali heritage, born in Saudi Arabia, raised in Syria, and now growing in the U.S., Idman brings a global perspective to her work. Her vision is bold and clear: to transform neurological care by developing technologies and institutions that uplift underserved communities and ensure that innovation serves everyone.

CEW+ applauds Idman’s commitment to transforming neurological care for underserved communities and names her a Petar and Zdravka Zdravkovski Scholar.