Shirley Ryan AbilityLab – Robotics Lab, 2022-Present

Graduate Student Researcher

• Developing a soft, lightweight, passive orthosis for hemiparetic stroke survivors, designed to assist forearm supination control and improve subsequent hand positioning for object manipulation during activities of daily living (ADLs), while also serving a restorative function using anti-assistance to strengthen supinator muscles
• Formulating computational models and optimization algorithms to customize the arrangement of the orthotic exoskeletal network of elastic torque field generators to ensure creation of targeted joint torque fields across multiple degrees of freedom, adapting the device to the specific torque deficits of individual users
• Developing a diagnostic device that quantifies users’ forearm supination torque deficits with active range of motion and manual muscle testing modes, informing optimization algorithms on the design of customized torque fields
• Designing and implementing clinical trials focused on forearm supination neurorehabilitation in stroke survivors
• Creating a passive, engageable exosuit to enhance healthcare professionals’ ability to safely perform tasks such as patient lifting and bed repositioning, in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team from UIC, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, OSF Healthcare, and Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center

Bio-inspired Adaptive Morphology Laboratory, 2017-2019

Undergraduate Researcher

• Completed an independent study utilizing CAD, high-speed video analysis and MATLAB to conduct kinematic and dynamic force analyses for mathematical simulation and experimental validation of a self-righting, autonomous robot inspired by the click beetle
• Analyzed the take-off and airborne phases of the click beetle jump to understand the scaling laws between beetle species and influence of the insect’s mass distribution on its jump in order to replicate the jumping dynamics for an autonomous robot of arbitrary size

University of Illinois at Chicago – Department of Biomedical Engineering, 2022-2024

Teaching Assistant – BME 460: Materials in Biomedical Engineering

• Assessing all homework assignments and exams, ensuring evaluation of academic performance, and conducting review sessions to bolster students’ understanding and proficiency of course material

Teaching Assistant – BME 333: Bioinstrumentation and Measurement Laboratory

• Evaluated laboratory reports and quizzes, focusing on the retention of laboratory procedures, application of fundamental technical concepts, and development of advanced technical writing competencies

PSYONIC, 2020-2022

Biomechanical Engineer

• Led and managed a team of engineers, interns, undergraduate and graduate students to develop an anatomically, biomechanically, and anthropometrically accurate, osseointegrated, artificial tendon-driven prosthesis for human partial finger and canine hindlimb amputees, enabling users control of their prosthesis directly from their muscles, battery-free, with proprioception, and in a biomechanically natural way (patent pending)
• Designed and conducted biosafety level 2 (BSL2) biomechanical and biological experiments concerning osseointegrated prostheses and artificial tendon systems on human and canine cadavers to generate data and documentation for future clinical studies and grant funding
• Created computational models using MATLAB and OpenSim to characterize the joint biomechanics of the human finger and canine hindlimb to maintain the biomechanic performance of the scaled prostheses for test subjects of varying anthropometric dimensions
• Independently prepared Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant proposals to secure project funding
• Conducted R&D projects to enhance PSYONIC’s multi-articulating myoelectric hand prosthesis, the AbilityHand
• Performed AbilityHand final assembly tasks including seating all electronic components within the palms, sealing and waterproofing the hand, programming hand grips, and conducting final quality checks

University of Illinois Ford Rapid Prototyping Laboratory, 2016-2019

SuperUser

• Prototyped a variety of thermoplastic polymer parts using Selective Laser Sintering, Stereolithography Apparatus, Material Jetting, and Fused Deposition Modeling additive manufacturing techniques for university research labs and lab-affiliated companies
• Fulfilled additional CAD services for students/researchers without CAD experience

Masonite International Innovation Center, 2018-2019

Engineering Consultant

• Revamped the engineering drawing archive with a new data structure to enhance data management efficiency

Product Engineering Intern

• Executed 3D scanning studies to quantify severity of door distortion induced by extreme weather conditions
• Streamlined 3D scanning workflow, reducing processing time by over 40%, leading to increased cost savings
• Created standard operating procedures and trained senior-level engineers on new 3D scanning process workflow

BOF Corporation, 2017

Manufacturing Design Engineer Intern

• Developed and launched a new generation of industrial refrigeration shelving units for Whole Foods
• Created CAD models and GD&T engineering drawings using SolidWorks for manufacturing plant work orders

Dream to Product, 2023-Present

Senior Mechanical Engineer

• Delivering comprehensive R&D solutions for clients seeking to enhance their existing products or to transform initial concepts into fully realized market-ready products within the medical and consumer products industries

Design Integrity, 2022-2023

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

• Providing product development services to external entities including Fortune 500 companies, focusing on the ideation and preliminary engineering design stages of next-generation products

Beyond Design, 2023

Biomechanical Design Engineer

• Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of professional mechanical and industrial design engineers to develop an advanced lower extremity wearable exoskeleton aimed at enhancing exercise and promoting calf muscle growth