Eva Erickson Breaks Barriers as First Openly Autistic Survivor Contestant

News Summary

Eva Erickson, a PhD student from Brown University, has made history as the first openly autistic contestant on ‘Survivor’, finishing in second place. Her performances gained national attention, showcasing the representation of autism in media. Aside from her reality show success, Erickson has a promising academic background in engineering, focusing on aquatic sensor technology. She aspires to promote understanding and inclusion for autistic individuals through her visibility. Returning to Brown, she received immense support from her community, emphasizing that autism should enhance diversity rather than hinder it.

Eagan, Minnesota – Eva Erickson, a 24-year-old PhD student from Brown University, has made history as the first openly autistic contestant on the reality TV series “Survivor,” where she finished in second place. Her participation has garnered national attention, not only for her performance on the show but also for breaking barriers regarding representation of individuals with autism in mainstream media.

Erickson hails from Eagan, Minnesota, but currently resides in Providence, Rhode Island, where she is pursuing her PhD in engineering, with a specialization in fluid and thermal science. Funded by the Office of Naval Research, her research is focused on studying how seals utilize their unique whiskers to detect objects underwater, a biological capability that rivals sonar technology.

In addition to her groundbreaking research on aquatic sensor technology, which aims to be more passive and less harmful to marine life than traditional sonar, Erickson also has an impressive academic background. She previously studied at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she explored the movement of centipedes on complex terrains and even created a robotic centipede. In sports, she has made a name for herself as the first and only woman to participate in Georgia Tech’s men’s ice hockey club team and is now the captain of Brown University’s men’s club hockey team.

During her season on “Survivor,” Erickson demonstrated strong problem-solving abilities, which she attributes to her engineering background. She excelled in competitions, particularly in an immunity challenge where she secured an advantage that helped her advance to the top four. Although she ultimately finished in second place, she received significant recognition for her strategic gameplay, earning two votes from the jury, while the winner, Kyle Fraser, received five votes.

In preparation for “Survivor,” Erickson engaged in extensive physical training and strategy work. She even practiced fire-making techniques in her backyard, demonstrating her dedication and commitment to succeeding on the show. Despite facing challenges related to overstimulation during her time on the island, she managed to recover and perform admirably in various competitions.

Erickson interprets her autism as a superpower, boasting strengths particularly in mathematics and science. She is known for having completed all high school math curriculum by middle school and continued to excel in college-level math throughout her educational journey. She believes her focus on autism-related interests has played a vital role in reaching her personal and professional goals.

Upon returning to Brown after her experience on “Survivor,” Erickson received an overwhelming wave of support from her teammates and fellow students. They organized watch parties to celebrate her participation in the show, highlighting the sense of community within the Brown University environment. Understanding and acceptance are themes that Erickson hopes to promote through her visibility and experiences, emphasizing that autism should not be seen as a hindrance but rather as part of the diversity of human experience.

Looking ahead, Erickson aims to leverage her academic and competitive experiences to enter the sports equipment industry, with a particular interest in research and development related to hockey. Her journey on “Survivor” and her ongoing academic pursuits reflect her commitment to not only achieving success for herself but also paving the way for greater understanding and inclusion of individuals with autism in various facets of life.

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HERE Resources

Brown University Student Makes History on Survivor
Brown University’s Eva Erickson Makes History on ‘Survivor’
Eva Erickson: The First Openly Autistic Contestant on Survivor

Additional Resources

• Boston Globe: Eva Erickson’s Autism Research
• Providence Journal: Survivor Season 48 Winner
• Brown Daily Herald: Eva Erickson Competes on Survivor
• Providence Journal: Eva Erickson on Survivor
• Wikipedia: Autism