University: University of Rhode Island
Hometown: Wakefield, RI
NIH Research Project:
Offline Prediction of Movement Onset and Discretion between Left and Right Hand Movement
Mentor: Mark Hallett, M.D.
Human Motor Control Section
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated with robotics and related science fiction. I became interested in scientific research in my sophomore year of college when I discovered Brain-Computer Interfacing; what I once thought was "science fiction" became "science reality" to me. I graduated this past May with a B.S. in biomedical engineering from the University of Rhode Island in order to pursue a career in biomedical research.
My first research experience was with Dr. Fred Vetter at the University of Rhode Island. My research involved assisting Dr. Vetter in designing and executing an experiment to measure the stress-strain properties in the left ventricle of the mouse heart. This research experience opened me up to the idea that I could have a research career instead of the industry-driven career my undergraduate education had prepared me for.
Through the NIH UGSP, I have the opportunity to train under Dr. Mark Hallet in the Human Motor Control Section of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in Brain-Computer Interfacing (BCI). BCI is a method of interfacing with a computer or other device by using electrodes placed on the scalp of the patient to interpret movement intentions. While this research is not intended to cure patients of their disease or disorder, it can solve problems in their treatment by allowing them to communicate accurately with their doctors and loved ones.
I plan on getting my Ph.D. in biomedical engineering, and I hope to be on the leading edge of BCI research and affordable devices for the impaired. |
