Laura Sophie Wegner ’25, a Harvard undergraduate concentrating in economics and minoring in computer science, has turned a personal health setback into a pioneering journey in health innovation. As a competitive swimmer in her hometown of Walsrode, Germany, Wegner’s career was derailed when she dislocated her kneecap for the second time. The medical mishap that followed – resulting from her health data being scattered across different providers – led to the wrong surgical method being used, effectively ending her swimming career.
This challenging experience became the catalyst for Wegner’s entrepreneurial spirit. Upon arriving at Harvard, she immersed herself in the campus’s entrepreneurial scene through the ‘Lemann Program for Creativity and Entrepreneurship’ (LPCE 102). The course not only sparked her passion for solving real-world problems but also led her to become a fellow of the program. During her freshman year, Wegner co-founded Mii, a health tech startup that creates a digital health platform enabling patients to manage their medical data seamlessly.
Mii acts as a ‘passport for your health,’ streamlining access to complete medical histories across different healthcare providers while maintaining maximum data privacy. Wegner’s commitment to transforming fragmented patient care systems is both personal and potentially transformative for patients worldwide. ‘I wanted to build something that would ensure no one else had to go through what I did,’ Wegner explained.
Wegner’s achievements have been recognized with prestigious accolades. This fall, she was named a Rhodes Scholar, becoming the first German recipient from Harvard in a decade and one of only two scholars selected from Germany this year. The award acknowledges her exceptional academic record, leadership, and dedication to improving healthcare systems through technology. At Oxford, Wegner plans to enhance her technical skills in machine learning and ethical AI, focusing on developing fair and effective digital health solutions globally.
In a world where healthcare equity and data security are increasingly critical, Wegner emerges as a bold innovator and empathetic leader, determined to bridge the gap between technology and humanity.
