BIOENGINEERING
BIOMEDICAL ELECTRONICS AND INSTRUMENTATION
This was one of my favorite projects during my time at Maryland. My group was assigned with constructing an ECG using the circuit diagram shown on the left. Altogether, we used a combination of operational amplifiers, resistors, capacitors, and leads. The main challenges faced in this project mainly deal with overcoming signal noise associated with the op-amps, however our team successfully completed the ECG and derived accurate pulse readings at each test node. I've gained valuable insight into electronics through this course and built greater confidence in my abilities to construct a functional medical device.
BIOFLUIDS
For this project, I was tasked with creating a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that would plot the behaviors of liquid viscosities over a specified temperature range by using Andrade's equation. This was accomplished using MATLAB's GUIDE application. The original purpose of the project was to plot the viscous behaviors preset liquids such as water, oil, benzene, etc, but I also coded in a widget that enables users to choose their own model parameters and study the effects each variable in the equation. By observing the trends of each fluid, it becomes apparent that as temperature increases the dynamic viscosity decreases and vice versa. The degree of flow resistance however is governed by the values for D and B which vary based on the parameters of the liquid being considered. Conclusively, this GUI plots for either preset liquids or custom parameters and allows for specification of units.
BIOENGINEERING LABORATORY
The purpose of this project is to optimize the production of GFP in E. coli. Arabinose activates the expression of GFP indirectly by binding to the araC protein that is associated with the gene for GFP. We hypothesize that increasing arabinose concentrations will increase amount of GFP produced in E. Coli. Our experimental methods include cell lysis which involved pipetting Tris solution into the E. Coli sample, agitating with Vortex Mixer, incubating the sample in ice, and checking lysis efficacy using UV light. This procedure was done with 0, 6, 12, and 18 g/L of arabinose solution, and statistic significance was found for five out of our six sample comparisons. Consequently we do verify that incleasing arabinose concentration does affect GFP growth although high concentrations will lead to an eventual plateauing of GFP production.
BIOCOMPUTATIONAL METHODS
For this project I chose to make a mathematical model of the cardiovascular system which includes both pulmonary and systemic circulations. Modelling the system of ODEs (ordinary differential equations) and plotting variables was done through MATLAB software. Standard values for normal heart function were acquired through online sources. The first phase of analysis encompassed two situations: systole and diastole. Pressures and flow rates were derived for each heart chamber and vascular components to observe behaviors during contraction and relaxation of the atria and ventricles. The arterial and vein systems were studied by dividing them into three segments which depend on the blood’s distance away from the heart. The second stage of analysis focused on observing how flowrate changes in response to increasing vascular resistance as well as increasing initial pressure. Finally, all trials model one cardiac cycle.
CAPSTONE
To conclude the BIOE program at UMD, our team was tasked with generating a novel idea that will solve an important clinical problem. After a semeseter of planning, we decided to create a "power glove" that will aid with stroke rehabilitation, mainly with patients who have reduced function in either hand. Our glove would generate force via shape memory alloy (SMA) which is capable of contracting when current is applied. By sending signals to conduct current through SMA embedded in each digit of the glove, we could enable patients to contract their fingers and help facilitate motion.
UNDERGRAD RESEARCH
Molecular Dynamic Simulations
I have worked at the Department of Chamical and Biomolecular Engineering under the supervision of Dr. Jeffery Klauda.
My research focused on studying lipid bilayers by using MD (molecular dynamics). This analysis method uses computer simulations to model atomic and molecular systems. By taking into account force field parameters, mathematical equations of particle motion, and atomic interactions (e.g. chemical bonds), we can examine how systems act under specified time periods.
Then we can use the velocities and trajectories of the particles' movements to find out quantitative data such as the overall thickness of the membrane bilary, electron density profiles, the surface areas of lipids, hydrogen bonding between residues, the ordering of the fatty acid chains, and much more.
The programs I've used to study lipid bilayers include Visual Molecular Dynamics (VMD), Nanoscale Molecular Dynamics (NAMD), and Chemistry at Harvard Macromolecular Mechanics (CHARMM). For batching files, I run my input scripts using the Deepthought computational cluster.
