Research

Experience 1: Segura Lab

Supervisor: Briana Simms

Date: January 2022 - May 2023, 10 hours a week

Since the spring of freshman year, I have been working in the Segura Lab under post-doc Briana Simms. I have been exposed to the synthesis and characterization of new biomaterials for wound healing in the skin and the brain. For the past year and half, I have been developing lipid based nanoparticles that have the ability to cross the blood brain barrier in order to deliver drugs and other substances to the wound sight of a stroke to enable better healing. I have been synthesizing a library of dendrimer lipids in order to produce a range of nanoparticles, and characterizing the drug loading, degradation point, size and charge of these particle to understand how to manipulate the qualities of a nanoparticle to fit different needs. 

In addition, I have been researching the addition of lipids to hylaronic acid based hydrogels to make them softer to match the storage modulus of the brain in order to promote healing. The Segura lab researches these hydrogels, and it has previously been shown that they promote cell growth in wound sites. By manipulating the physical properties of the gel, it can be adapted to better suit the environment of the brain. 

I have presented my research at the conference for the Centre of Biomedical and Tissue Engineering  and the Undergraduate Research Support's Visible Thinking Symposium.

Experience 2: Intership 

Dates: May 2024 - August 2024

This summer, I aim to intern at a biotech start-up, ideally with a focus in global health. I hope to apply the theory of biomedical engineering that I have learned in class to real-world problems, as well as more deeply understand what it takes to make an idea a reality. By working in research and development,  I hope to extend my experience doing research in acedemia to industry. 

Experience 3: Fitzgerald Lab 

Supervisor: Dr. Tamara Fitzgerald

Date: January 2024

The Fitzgerald Lab has previously done work on  increasing accessibility of laparoscopic surgery in low income countries by developing the KeyScope, a low cost alternative to laparoscopic equipment. In order to properly implement the use of the KeyScope in low resource areas, the proper training framework must also be available for surgeons to practise using the technology. I am part of an undergraduate team that is producing low cost laproscopic training equipment which will be rebuilt in Uganda. In addition to just building the equipment, we will also be conducting a validation study with residents and surgeons as Duke hospital to compare our equipment to typical laproscopic training equipment, as well as a testing the equipment with surgeons in Uganda. There is potential for us to travel to Uganda this summer to implement out technology and start the studies with Ugandan doctors.