Gia Kang Email & Phone Number

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

My research seeks to investigate the relationship between different impact conditions and cellular-level responses that can be used to develop a strain-injury spectrum and define a threshold level for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). This research will enhance our understanding of the relationship between impulsive load, tissue strain, and cellular function in terms of injury mechanism. The strain-injury spectrum developed will be used to guide future helmet testing, evaluate injury risk, and improve computational head injury models.The data that will be collected from this research has the potential to benefit society in both clinical and engineering fields. Data on mTBI injury mechanisms can aid in the development of clinical guidelines and implementation of evidence-informed practices, thus improving the quality of life of victims suffering from mTBI. Findings on strain-injury criteria can be integrated into existing finite element models for the validation of injury models or used to develop more accurate computational models of injury. These findings can also be applied in developing improved injury prevention.

City Of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Masters Thesis Project: "Response of a Structural Target to an Explosive Charge Incorporating Foreign Objects: A Numerical Study”Building upon my research and findings conducted during my undergraduate studies, I investigated the destructive effect of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on structures, by numerically modelling the structural response of containment vessels exposed to a charge combined with projectiles, to determine whether the destructive effect of IEDs could be predicted based on explosive charge geometry. I simplified the experimental model into numerical models through an iterative process, developed and validated those models in AUTODYN, and conducted parametric studies to investigate the effect of each experimental variable. I performed all data analyses on the results, matching the data against existing physics theories and models.

City Of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Undergraduate Research Project: "Response of a Structural Target to an Improvised Explosive Charge”I researched, designed, tested, and executed an experimental study on the response of a structure to IEDs, which has historically been under-researched due to its unpredictability. After determining the experimental variables to investigate, I designed a lab-scale model of an IED by simplifying its general components so that it can be easily tested and repeated in a lab setting, as well as oversaw the manufacturing of the components that were used in the experiment. I also devised methods to take spatial measurements of the target's 3D profile for conversion into a 2D plot and to measure 200+ crater depths. I then performed data analysis on the results, identifying possible correlations between explosive charge geometry and target damage characteristics.

City Of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Over the course of this six-week internship, I designed and implemented a program using Python to automatically perform cost and geometric optimisation for clients based on customer specs and the company's existing catalog of LED products. This program determined and recommended the type and number of LED units needed for a project and the number of power supply units necessary for installation. I also developed an in-house application to facilitate order quantity and price optimisation.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd

Master Of Science - Ms

Bachelor Of Science - Bs