For my Senior Capstone, I am part of a six-member engineering team collaborating with Mayo Clinic to develop E-Lumenate, a novel internal phototherapy device designed to improve treatment outcomes for patients with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE). EoE is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease of the esophagus with increasing prevalence and limited treatment options.

Our mission is to advance patient comfort and quality of life through a minimally invasive, localized phototherapy solution. The device is designed as a flexible catheter with an integrated cylindrical optical fiber and diffuser to deliver controlled ultraviolet (UV) light directly to inflamed esophageal tissue. The therapy targets inflammatory cytokines (including IL-33 and IL-13) implicated in eosinophilic infiltration and tissue remodeling. Research posters for each semester detailing the project are attached at the bottom of this page. More information can be found here.

My Role

Over the course of two semesters, as the Research and Development Lead, I have contributed to:

• Translating clinician-defined needs into measurable engineering specifications

• Developing and refining CAD models of the catheter and emission zone

• Performing technical modeling and safety analyses

• Contributing to preliminary market analysis and cost modeling

• Participating in structured design documentation and traceability processes

• Performing verification activities to ensure device outputs meet device inputs

This experience required balancing clinical feasibility, safety, manufacturability, and cost.

The Health theme of the National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges emphasizes advancing technologies that improve quality of life, accessibility, and treatment effectiveness.

E-Lumenate directly supports this mission by:

• Addressing a growing chronic inflammatory disease affecting approximately 1 in 700 individuals in the U.S.

• Reducing reliance on costly systemic biologics and repeated invasive procedures

• Providing localized therapy to minimize systemic side effects

• Enabling potential outpatient, office-based treatment delivery

• Prioritizing patient comfort and minimally invasive design

Rather than designing technology for novelty, this project focuses on improving patient-centered care. It reflects my commitment to developing biomedical solutions that are clinically informed, economically feasible, and accessible.

Senior Capstone represents the culmination of my undergraduate engineering training and integrates the broader competencies of the Grand Challenges Scholars Program.

Technical Growth

I strengthened my ability to:

• Translate qualitative clinical needs into quantitative design inputs

• Apply engineering modeling principles to biological systems

• Conduct structured design reviews and documentation

• Think critically about safety, regulatory pathways, and risk mitigation

Integration with Other GCSP Competencies

• Multidisciplinary: Working alongside clinicians and engineers mirrored my experience in the MedTech Accelerator, reinforcing cross-sector collaboration.

• Entrepreneurship: Market sizing, cost modeling, and value proposition analysis connected directly to my work with HEALab and Swift Medical Carts.

• Service Learning: Designing a solution for a real patient population emphasized ethical responsibility and healthcare accessibility.

• Multicultural: Considering cost barriers and patient comfort broadened my perspective on equitable healthcare delivery.

Professional Impact

This project solidified my desire to pursue a career in medical device research and development focused on improving patient outcomes. It challenged me to operate not only as a student engineer, but as a future innovator working within real clinical and regulatory constraints.

Senior Capstone has been a defining step in my development as a Grand Challenges Scholar under the Health theme, demonstrating my ability to apply engineering principles to a complex, real-world healthcare challenge while considering safety, cost, usability, and long-term impact.