Darren Chen Email & Phone Number

Avon, Ct, Us

Hartford, Connecticut, United States

Provide rapid and accurate medical assessments and interventions to patients in diverse emergency situations, ensuring optimal care and stabilization. Work seamlessly within a multidisciplinary team, coordinating efforts with paramedics, nurses, and physicians to provide cohesive patient care in high-pressure situations. Demonstrate exceptional bedside manner and compassion, providing emotional support to patients and their families during critical moments. Created accurate and thorough patient care reports, documenting assessment findings, interventions performed, and patient responses according to company and industry protocols.

Storrs, Connecticut, United States

Use photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals obtained from smartwatches for the precise adjudication of cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation and PVC/PAC, employing advanced deep learning methodologies. Seeking to enhance detection accuracy and minimize false positives, particularly in identifying high-risk stroke patients, including survivors of ischemic strokes.Implement an autoencoder framework using PyTorch for analyzing 2D input images, facilitating unsupervised learning and maximizing adjudication efficiency. Integrate ResNet model architecture within autoencoders to optimize reconstruction accuracy and enable seamless transfer learning and classification.Implement a novel application of the DenseNet deep learning model in Pytorch for classifying normal sinus rhythm, atrial fibrillation, and PAC/PVC, aiming to deliver enhanced performance in distinguishing between different cardiac arrhythmias to minimize false positives.PI: Dr. Ki Chon, PhDDepartment of Biomedical Engineering

Storrs, Connecticut, United States

Used a high throughput screen to search for overgrowth phenotypes in Drosophila caused by ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) to identify novel growth regulators involved in signaling pathways including the Hippo and mTOR pathways.Prepared genetic crosses and conducted genetic screens for specific genotypes and mutagenic phenotypes in Drosophila to identify genes responsible for tumorigenesis. Performed validation crosses on chosen candidates with overgrowth phenotypes to ensure the quality of the phenotype. Identified candidates to be analyzed further and create stocks to preserve the mutation.Conduct complementation tests to rule out previously discovered and characterized mutations involved in the Hippo and mTOR pathways. Use deficiency and duplication lines to map the unknown mutation to a specific area in the Drosophila genome to identify the gene responsible.Perform coarse and fine dissections of larvae to isolate imaginal discs and perform immunofluorescent staining to visualize overgrowth in mutant versus twin-spot clones.Mentor a group of undergraduate students and teach them basic drosophila techniques including crosses and screens. Impart knowledge regarding drosophila biology and experimental techniques relevant to the high throughout, forward genetic screen project.PI: Dr. Jianzhong Yu, PhDDepartment of Physiology and Neurobiology

Storrs, Connecticut, United States

Lead a seminar-style course to help 20 first-year honors students at UConn acclimate to the college lifestyle. Create a course syllabus aimed to help first-year honors students meet the course requirements as well as engage in the honors community and learn about UConn and its Honors Program. Create and implement course materials designed to initiate community-building and educate students about university requirements and opportunities. Promote and maintain engagement in the classroom by utilizing effective communication to create a productive learning environment. Providing a reliable support system for students to foster both physical and mental well-being.

Cross Cultural Connections (CCC) is a program designed to help international students acclimate to UConn and the American culture. By fostering relationships between conversation partners, the program also hopes to improve international students' English language skills.Oversee a program comprising 60-100 members, while promoting effective communication and cultivating interpersonal connections among domestic and international students. Successfully conducted in-depth interviews with candidates, utilizing structured and behavioral-based questioning techniques to assess their qualifications and cultural fit. Perform partnering pairing between volunteers and international students to optimize interpersonal relationships. Develop and implement program events to help international students acclimate to UConn and American culture as well as improve their English language skills. Attend professional development activities held by UConn, Department of Student Activities, Community Outreach.

Hartford, Connecticut, United States

Shadowed Dr. Edward Gifford, a surgeon specializing in vascular and endovascular surgery for 34 hours. Learned about the responsibilities and life of a vascular and endovascular surgeon in both the clinic and the operating room. Experienced the environment of a large hospital. Learned about the preparations and protocols that go into each procedure in the operating room such as maintaining a sterile field and time-outs. Gained an understanding of maintaining one's emotional well-being as a surgeon whose patients do not always have optimal outcomes. Observed many procedures including angiograms, bypass surgeries, endarterectomies, microphlebectomies, and open abdominal surgeries.

Farmington, Connecticut, United States

Shadowed Dr. Clifford Yang, a diagnostic radiologist specializing body imaging as well as cardiac and musculoskeletal radiology, for 12 hours. Learned to recognize indications on radiographs, CT scans, and MRIs to diagnose patients with conditions such as fractures, nodules/masses, edemas, and aneurysms. Gained an understanding of the vital role that technology and computers play in medicine, both to treat patients as well as to maximize efficiency for physicians. Observed procedures such as arthrograms, barium swallowing tests, and sniff tests.

Southington, Connecticut, United States

Shadowed Dr. Akshay Patel, an otolaryngologist specializing in head and neck surgical oncology and reconstructive surgery for 38 hours in both the clinic and operating room. Learned about the lifestyle of an otolaryngologist, the similarities and differences between an MD and a DO as well as the nuances of dealing with a variety of patients. Specifically, how to tailor treatments and interactions with patients, such as those with psychiatric issues, disabilities, and difficult natures, in order to best serve one's patients and community. Observed procedures such as laryngoscopy, biopsies, and effusion removals. Also observed various surgeries including thyroidectomies, neck dissections, pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps, and pharyngoplasties.

Avon, Connecticut, United States

Shadowed Dr. Lalarukh Mufti, an internal medicine doctor, for 40 hours. Learned about the daily activities of an internal medicine doctor, how physical exams are conducted, how doctors approach patients to decipher the root cause of health problems, and the similarities and differences between private and hospital practice. Learned to navigate electronic medical records (EMR), how to chart patient information, approving and sending prescription refill requests, as well as upload lab results, prescription requests, and other health files to patient records. Additionally worked at the front desk to check patients in/out, taking phone calls to set up or change appointments, and calling patients to inform them of upcoming appointments or lab results and other requests. Observed procedures including EKGs as well as the strong patient-doctor relationships often seen in primary care. Conducted urinalyses and inputted the results into the EMR.

Avon, Connecticut, United States

Conversed with customers to best understand their needs and recommended appropriate products. Cut desired products to exact specifications and took into account any preferences. Took and prepared orders, in person and by phone, for fried and steamed food. Closed the seafood department solo by cleaning and sanitizing all food contact surfaces and ensuring all procedures were followed.