Stony Brook University – Current Research

Currently I am working with Professor Danny Bluestein in the Biofluids Research Group at Stony Brook University.  The lab works on studying and characterizing all aspects of the cardiovascular system, hemodynamics, and blood clotting functions.  We specialize in adapting computational models to the complexities of the cardiovascular system and in particular we have one of the most advanced models of plasma to platelet interaction.

My role in the lab this year has been to help validate the platelet model with experimental wet lab data.  I have been developing a program to track the movement of the platelets in a channel and to characterize the rotation of the platelets.  My main strength to the group has been my knowledge of optical microscopy techniques that I learned in my previous employment.

Cornell University – Masters Project

Advisor: Rajesh Bhaskaran                 August 2012 -May 2013

• CFD modeling of Nasal Airway Obstructions from a deviated septum in patients
• Comparing septoplasty surgical techniques with results of the models
• Research involves CT scan image processing, extracting of nasal airway geometry in a CAD software, meshing and solving fluid model, convergence study for accuracy and validity of model
• Awaiting Publication: Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of an External Nasal Midvault Dilator (J Villwock MD, B Kovarovic, R Bhaskaran, R Kellman MD) Paper to be presented at COSM Sections Meeting, Miami, Florida, January 9-12, 2014

Cornell University – Research Assistant

Advisor: Kifle Gebremedhin                January 2013 -May 2013

•  Self supervised  research and modeling of the biological heat transfer system of a dairy cow
• Calculate and model the heat transfer from a cow’s vasculature inside the udder to help invent a system of cooling the cow to prevent heat stroke and death in desert climates

Binghamton University – Research Assistant

Advisor: Howard Wang              December 2011 -December 2012

•  Characterize a newly developed high-strain (400%) strain sensor with carbon fiber technology
  • Developed in the material science lab for a civil engineering project at Cornell University to be embedded inside ductile iron piping to track rupture during earthquake scenarios
• I also developed a modeling code that applied the strain sensor data to give visual feedback of the shape and strain of the pipe in the ground

Binghamton University – Senior Capstone Project

Advisor: Howard Wang             September 2011 -May 2012

•  As a interdisciplinary team we developed a “smart” slot die coater to cast thin films of a polymer with varying concentrations of charged particles using dielectrophoretic capturing
• My role was to supervise the team and create a mutiphase fluid model to characterize the development of the film during casting