Alan Lai Email & Phone Number

San Mateo, CA, US

Redwood City, California, US

• Developed robot kinematics algorithms for improving performance of kinematic motion and admittance control modes
• Designed and created multi-threaded application to increase yield of kinematic parameter tuning process 20-fold
• Maintained health of CI/CD pipelines and created API scripts to launch cloud-based CI pipeline runs
• Implemented robotics control and collision avoidance algorithms using event-driven architectures for real-time software

Redwood City, California, US

• Implemented robotics control and collision avoidance algorithms using event-driven architectures for real-time software
• Created visualization of and analyzed robot manipulability workspace for redundant multi joint medical/surgical robot

Baltimore, Maryland, US

• Implemented deep learning vision algorithms for mosquito detection (>97% accuracy) and pose estimation (<0.35 mm RMSE) for autonomous robotic salivary gland extraction
• Integrated model with ROS and Firefly DL camera for real-time inference
• Languages: Python

Baltimore, Maryland, US

• Led and oversaw responsibilities for CAs for Computer Vision & Computer Systems Fundamentals (120+ students per semester)
• Held weekly office hours to assist understanding for students with homework and class material
• Produced problem set and optimize projects for students to improve their theoretical understanding and coding skills
• Designed grading rubrics, automated grading scripts, and graded student homework
• Languages: Assembly (6502, MIPS, x86), C, C++, Python

Miami, FL, US

• Automated process of manipulator arm calibration via IR marker tracking
• Engineered an algorithm for improving Yomi dental surgery robot manipulator accuracy by 50% via calibration and simultaneous registration of manipulator and tracker arms
• Transformed said algorithm as a control software utility, and drafted relevant software requirement specification (SRS), ECO, and functional testing documents
• Languages: C, C++, Python

Baltimore, Maryland, US

• Developed a novel piezoelectric bone-cutting medical device that allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive craniosynostosis surgery while minimizing dural injuries and blood loss
• Conducted needs identification, root cause analysis, stakeholder and competitive analysis, solution concept generation, prototyping, and testing, following an iterate “Spiral Innovation” model
• Used computer aided design and finite element analysis to design a viable tip for production
• Worked alongside pediatric neurosurgeons at the Johns Hopkins Hospital
• Led the engineering team and served as main point of contact with industry partners
• Languages: Arduino

• Programmed myoelectric and piezo sensors and coordinated system of actuators to reposition upper limb neuroprostheses for adaptive fitting to increase adoption and decrease pain
• Created a closed loop feedback control system for regulating mechanical stress on patient
• Integrated sensors in a self-assembled robotic arm for texture detection via machine learning
• Languages: C++, Arduino, MATLAB

Minneapolis, MN, US

• Created a JMP application to automate downloading, processing, and virtual linkage of the FDA MAUDE Database (+8M records) for postmarket analysis of medical devices
• Utilized latent semantic analysis, latent topic analysis, SVD, and PCA to extract implicit information from textual data within the processed database
• Languages: JMP, JSL

• Highly selective program chosen based on academic standing and leadership recommendations
• Lead weekly tutoring sessions for more than 15 undergraduate students of all years discussing problem sets and topics related to those discussed in class
• Lead review sessions attended by over 50 students prior to midterms and final exams

• Created a reaction-diffusion equation solver to model drug molecule diffusion in MATLAB
• Integrated such model with a angiogenesis, tumor cell, T cell agent based model (ABM) to predict drug and chemokine effects on triple negative breast cancer tumour growth and metastasis
• Translated code from MATLAB to C++ to further optimize and improve accessibility and control
• Researched literature on other possible immune checkpoints to target with model
• Languages: C++, MATLAB

Edison, NJ, US

• Spearheaded and designed experiments to develop a next-generation viable bone allograft
• Optimized a critical processing step in the production of demineralized bone particles by establishing processing parameters, controls, and procedures to handle outputs that fail to meet specifications
• Processed aseptic viable bone allografts using machining equipment such as bandsaws and lathes
• Provided support for experiments aimed at improving orthobiologic stability

Taipei, Taipei, TW

• Prototyped microfluidic chamber for measuring effects of shear stress on co-cultured mesenchymal stem cells and vascular smooth muscle cells using SolidWorks.
• Maintained cell cultures of mouse and human MSCs and performed techniques as immunofluorescence and gel electrophoresis
• Created a machine learning model for early contingency detection of certain medical procedures.
• Languages: Python, MATLAB

US

• Refined and updated protocols for studies regarding pain, sleep disturbances, and opioid receptors
• Analyzed data for multiple studies using FLIR thermal imaging cameras and statistical analyses
• Managed and updated databases pertaining to results and participants of these studies
• Performed relevant literature research to further improve study accuracy

• Performed DNA extraction, replication, and genetic sequencing of prenatal DNA.
• Assisted with both sequencing techniques and logistical and administrative tasks.
• Researched into the relationships between certain genes and diseases such as spinal muscular dystrophy and fragile X syndrome.

• Tutored middle school student on a weekly basis. assisting with homework, concepts, and test prep.
• Focused mainly on the areas of science, mathematics, and Mandarin Chinese.
• Served as an advisor for course choices.

Singapore, SG

• Explored avant garde methods of preventing metastasis of cancer cells.
• Grew and maintained cancer cell cultures used for research and testing.
• Worked with researchers on testing various ECAD inhibitors on mice and cell cultures to prevent expression of certain genes involved with tissue connectivity, thereby preventing metastasis of cancer cells.

Master'S Degree, Robotics

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science

Ib Diploma, High School Diploma