United States
My interest lies with innovation, specifically those that concern improving the quality of life. From a research standpoint, I have led projects in the fields of Cancer Biology, Diabetes, and Computational Neuroengineering (Epilepsy). I am familiar with basic electrical engineering and mechanical design including skills such as circuit design, C++, MATLAB and CAD. Outside of research, I am an active tinkerer. I have fabricated several successful biomedical devices such as a toothbrush for people with Parkinson's and a portable nerve conduction study device. I have also created several electronic toys for my roommate's cat. Selected publications displayed below:
Biomechanical descriptions of the developing pediatric spine are limited. Whereas adult spinal biomechanics are studied in cadavers with uniform skeletal maturity, this is inherently limited in children and further complicated by the significant differences expected in various skeletal maturation. The development of computational pediatric spine models would provide surgeons and researchers a critical resource for advances in this area. We developed novel virtual biomechanical models of the pediatric spine at multiple age points, which were additionally subjected to testing with several simulated surgical approaches. The demonstrated biomechanical characteristics vary across ages and surgical approaches, contrary to prior extrapolations from the adult population. Further development of these models are currently in development and will ultimately allow more individualized surgical planning. Advisor: Dr. James A. Stadler III, MD
Under the guidance of Professor Lawrence Dobrucki, my research focused on the monitoring of stem cell treatments to diabetic mice modeled with Peripheral Artery Disease via femoral artery occlusion. The approach incorporated multiscale multi-modal imaging of ischemic tissue after therapy. My responsibilities included the acquisition of laser speckle contrast images to track superficial collateral perfusion before the occlusion and serially after surgery. I also became familiar with the scintigraphic imaging used to track and quantify HIF-1α activation, a global regulator of the hypoxia response, and αvβ3 for angiogenesis. This offered me a more holistic perspective to hindered angiogenesis due to diabetes. Advisor: Doctor Lawrence W. Dobrucki, PhD http://www.dobrucki.info/
I shadowed Doctor William Stacey, an epileptologist at the University of Michigan at Ann-Arbor. In addition, I was involved with his research efforts geared towards developing an anti-seizure brain implant. The project involves developing a machine learning algorithm to analyze large datasets of acquired EEG signals from patients who have epilepsies as well as refining the algorithm to recognize high frequency oscillations and their locations on the brain. This allowed me to combine my engineering interests in developing devices with my interests in clinical medicine. I also attended weekly conferences with local neurologists to discuss difficult cases and the best routes of therapy. Advisor: Doctor William Stacey, MD-PhD
People with Parkinson’s disease or similar tremor inducing conditions are recommended to switch to an electric toothbrush or add a wider grip or weights to their manual toothbrush. Complaints arise when these suggestions do not significantly improve their abilities to accomplish this everyday task. I combined these suggestions into the concept of a gimbal system commonly used in camera stabilization and drones to create an ergonomic tremor-reducing electric toothbrush designed to react to tremors by producing compensating movements. This prototype continuously improved following feedback from patient trials over the course of two years with the intention to soon be fully open sourced online. Accolades: TechSAge International Design Competition Finalist (1 of 10) hosted by NIDILRR and Georgia Tech (Advisor: Brian D. Jones, Georgia Tech) 1st Place The Real World Award at 2018 UIUC Engineering Open House 3rd Place Best Kickoff at 2017 UIUC Engineering Open House https://publish.illinois.edu/stabiliteeth/