Undergraduate Research

Engineering World Health:
PCR Thermocycler

Radiation Oncology Imaging                                                                      

Picture
 
     








Molecular Vascular Engineering                                                

Picture
  

     



    Ultrasound Cardiology

    Picture
        

      




    I led an Engineering World Health project team to build a cost-effective PCR Thermocycler and win 2nd Place in the 2012 EWH National Design Competition. 

    The design used a Peltier chip, an aluminum heating block, and a computer heat sink with an Arduino LCD interface.

    The device rapidly heats and cools PCR tubes in order to catalyze DNA amplification.

    UCSD Moores Cancer Center


    Under Dr. Loren Mell in the division of Radiation Oncology clinical and translation research group, I performed research methods of limiting radiation therapy toxicities in treating cervical cancer. I analyzed the ability of IDEAL fat fraction imaging analysis to identify correctly identify active bone marrow subregions. By limiting dosage to these leukocyte-producing regions, our study hopes to reduce levels of hematologic toxicities. My work was published in the annual Earl Warren College Undergraduate Research Scholars pamphlet.

    Recognition: 


    UCSD Bioengineering Deparment  
                                              

    Under Dr. Shu Chien in the UCSD Molecular Vascular Engineering lab, I performed research on the effects of mechano-transduction on vascular endothelial cells by simulating pulsatile flow. Axial stretch was shown to induce cytoskeletal re-alignment with actin filaments re-orienting perpendicular to the direction of stretch. 

    Publication: Abstract in the Biophysical Journal
    Recognition: 2nd Place, 2011 UCSD BMES Lab Fair

     

    Gregorio Marañón Hospital

    During the summer of 2012 I had the opportunity to shadow Dr. Javier Bermejo, head of non-invasive cardiology at Gregorio Mariñón Hospital in Madrid, Spain. Dr. Bermejo runs an animal surgery lab that conducts research on ventricular flow patterns using ultrasound technology.