During my Master's degree, I worked as a research assistant in Prof. Yogesh Gianchandani group with a team of two other graduate students in the design and implementation of an ingestible smart-pill capable of collecting multiple gastrointestinal fluid samples. (called the WPAD - Wireless Pharmaceutical Analysis Device). This project would eventually develop into my thesis project for my PhD degree. My roles included system level design, programming of MCUs, design of mechanical aspects (device… Show more During my Master's degree, I worked as a research assistant in Prof. Yogesh Gianchandani group with a team of two other graduate students in the design and implementation of an ingestible smart-pill capable of collecting multiple gastrointestinal fluid samples. (called the WPAD - Wireless Pharmaceutical Analysis Device). This project would eventually develop into my thesis project for my PhD degree. My roles included system level design, programming of MCUs, design of mechanical aspects (device housing and sealing), and testing and verification both in vitro and in vivo (canines). Key tasks:• Developed software for MCU of WPAD, reference unit, and extra-corporeal unit in C++; achieve functions including BLE comms; collection (I2C), handling, and transmission of sensor data and control of stepper motor used for sampling GI fluids. • Conducted functional tests of WPAD PCBs: measuring power consumption, and evaluating performance of BLE and on-board sensors • Designed housing of WPAD device in SolidWorks, maximizing packing density while maintaining swallowability. Housing 3D printed using biocompatible resin to ensure patient compliance. • Designed sealing strategy of WPAD device using biocompatible greases and gaskets to prevent leakage and cross contamination between fluid samples. • Conducted tests of fully integrated WPAD device to evaluate all functions both in vitro and in vivo (canine). All functions realized and in vivo sensor data and fluid samples lead to new research finds. • Prepared reports/presentations discussing progress of the WPAD project, future steps and challenges faced utilizing informative figures and graphs to illustrate key points Show less

• Conducted research to find novel approach for restoring blinking in patients suffering from lagophthalmos using alpha wave EEG signals to control artificial muscles• Designed thorough tests using high precision equipment to find properties of silver-coated nylon artificial muscles as well as SMA under different stresses; leading to increased understanding of actuator limits• Analyzed performance of artificial muscles for different actuator housing morphologies to determine maximum… Show more • Conducted research to find novel approach for restoring blinking in patients suffering from lagophthalmos using alpha wave EEG signals to control artificial muscles• Designed thorough tests using high precision equipment to find properties of silver-coated nylon artificial muscles as well as SMA under different stresses; leading to increased understanding of actuator limits• Analyzed performance of artificial muscles for different actuator housing morphologies to determine maximum strain and frequency response• Collaborated on SPIE 2015 Conference paper on silver coated nylon coiled fibers imitating human pennate muscle; achieved 20 % strain under constant load using PWM signal supplied by transistor network Show less