From Fighting Allergies to Fighting for a Cure: Notre Dame Family’s Remarkable Journey from Stadium Stands to Life-Changing Research

In 2017, a simple trip to a football game at Notre Dame Stadium turned into a life-changing moment for 12-year-old Lauren Eglite and her family—a moment driven by fate, science, and the unique culture of Notre Dame. What started as a father-daughter outing to cheer on the Fighting Irish would unknowingly alter the trajectory of Lauren’s life and potentially the future of allergy care worldwide.

As the crowd roared and the marching band blared, the stadium’s video board played a feature on campus research initiatives. Amidst the usual game-day excitement, one video in particular caught the attention of Lauren and her father. It showcased the groundbreaking work of Notre Dame Engineering Professor Basar Bilgicer, whose research centered on peanut allergies—a condition Lauren had battled since she was a toddler.

For Lauren, every day came with the lurking anxiety that one wrong snack, one contaminated surface, or one unknowing mistake could trigger a life-threatening reaction. Like millions of other children with severe food allergies, she lived with constant caution. But watching that video in the stadium offered something unfamiliar—hope.

Professor Bilgicer’s work focused on designing therapies to safely desensitize the immune system, minimizing or even eliminating the violent allergic responses triggered by peanuts. For families like the Eglites, who had spent years navigating the exhausting landscape of food labels, EpiPens, and emergency room visits, the potential for such a breakthrough wasn’t just scientific—it was deeply personal.

Inspired by what they had seen, Lauren’s father, an experienced entrepreneur with a background in healthcare and pharmaceuticals, made it his mission to learn more. What started with curiosity quickly evolved into action. He reached out to Professor Bilgicer, arranged meetings, and explored the commercial possibilities of turning Bilgicer’s promising laboratory findings into a viable, life-changing treatment.

That shared vision gave rise to Artin Immunology, a startup focused on translating Notre Dame’s allergy research into practical therapies. With Lauren’s father at the business helm and Bilgicer continuing to lead the research efforts, Artin Immunology has grown into a symbol of what can happen when personal passion meets scientific innovation.

Artin Immunology is more than a business venture; it’s a heartfelt response to a global problem. According to the Food Allergy Research & Education organization (FARE), over 6 million children in the U.S. suffer from food allergies, with peanuts being one of the most common—and dangerous—culprits. Reactions can range from mild hives to life-threatening anaphylaxis, making daily life a constant risk assessment for affected families.

While treatments like oral immunotherapy have emerged in recent years, many come with significant side effects, inconsistent outcomes, or require lifelong maintenance. Bilgicer’s approach, rooted in nanotechnology and precision engineering, offers the promise of a safer, more effective alternative.

For Lauren, now a Notre Dame student herself, the story has come full circle. No longer watching from the stadium stands, she’s now walking the very campus where groundbreaking research once gave her hope. Her personal experience with severe allergies, combined with her academic interests, has fueled her ambition to contribute to the same research that could ultimately change her life—and the lives of millions.

“It feels surreal,” Lauren admits. “To know that I might one day help develop the solution to something I’ve struggled with for as long as I can remember—it’s incredible.”

Her journey reflects a broader Notre Dame ethos, where academic excellence, personal experience, and service to humanity intersect. The university’s emphasis on research with real-world impact fosters connections like the one between the Eglite family and Professor Bilgicer—a testament to how innovation often starts with deeply human stories.

The partnership between Artin Immunology and Notre Dame also underscores the university’s growing influence in biomedical research. Traditionally known for its storied football program and academic prestige, Notre Dame has increasingly become a hub for scientific discovery. Initiatives like the Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare & Neglected Diseases and the College of Engineering’s focus on translational research are positioning the university at the forefront of tackling pressing health challenges.

Bilgicer, reflecting on the serendipitous meeting at the football game, emphasizes how scientific progress often relies on collaboration—and a touch of luck.

“You never know where your research will land or who it might affect,” Bilgicer says. “Meeting Lauren and her family made the work personal. It’s not just data points—it’s about changing lives.”

The Eglites’ involvement has accelerated Artin Immunology’s development pipeline, securing funding, navigating regulatory hurdles, and building the infrastructure needed to transition from laboratory success to clinical application. Their shared goal? To develop a safe, effective, and accessible treatment that could dramatically reduce the risk of severe allergic reactions for people with peanut allergies.

As clinical trials approach and Artin Immunology expands its research team, Lauren hopes to contribute not just as a beneficiary of the science but as part of the solution. She’s already exploring undergraduate research opportunities with Professor Bilgicer and plans to pursue graduate studies focused on immunology and biomedical engineering.

Her story serves as an inspiring reminder that life’s most unexpected moments—a football game, a stadium video, a chance encounter—can spark life-changing opportunities. It’s also a powerful example of the Notre Dame spirit in action: blending academic rigor, personal passion, and a mission to serve others.

For families navigating the challenges of severe food allergies, the prospect of a safer, more reliable treatment on the horizon offers long-awaited optimism. And for Lauren, what started as a childhood struggle has transformed into a personal and professional calling.

From the stands of Notre Dame Stadium to the forefront of scientific discovery, Lauren’s journey is proof that sometimes, destiny—and a little Irish luck—can change lives in ways no one expects.