Work & Research

WORK EXPERIENCE

SRIVASTAVA LAB, UCLA BIOMOLECULAR ENGINEERING –– RESEARCH ASSISTANT                            January 2024 - Present

• Investigates adhesive properties of polyelectrolytes and pioneered novel techniques for measuring biological substrate curvature, advancing biomaterial evaluation methods
• Engineers advanced methodologies to assess strain in surgical adhesives on tissue substrates (e.g., heart, lung, muscle) using Python and MATLAB machine learning (ML) algorithms for data analysis and predictive modeling
• Enhances the precision of adhesive performance evaluations, contributing to the design of high-performance biomedical adhesives for drug delivery and surgical applications.

YOUTHVENTURE –– EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR                                                                                                        June 2020 - Present

• Produces and hosts “PDX Business Spotlight” podcast: showcasing the stories of 45+ local BIPOC-owned businesses, and reaching an audience of 800+ listeners and readers through podcasts and blogs

WALGREENS PHARMACY –– CERTIFIED PHARMACY TECHNICIAN                                                 July 2023 – September 2024

• Utilizes pharmacy software to accurately manage patient histories, ensuring precise medication preparation
• Applies expertise in drug interactions and pharmaceutical terminology to enhance patient care

ANAND LAB, OHSU KNIGHT CANCER INSTITUTE –– RESEARCH INTERN                                January 2022 - September 2023

• Analyzes colorectal adenocarcinoma gene expression using genome atlases and bioinformatics tools for data analysis
• Utilizes genomic databases and tools including TIMER 2.0, GEPIA 2, 10X Genomics, UCSC Genome Browser, TISCH, Single Cell Portal, ICARUS, ASAP, Dema, and DepMap, and R programming to conduct comprehensive cancer research

KOVACEVIC LAB, OSU FOOD INNOVATION CENTER –– MICROBIOLOGY LAB INTERN                     June 2022 - August 2022

• Examines ATP hygiene monitoring practices in the postharvest produce industry to develop baseline thresholds for clean and contaminated environments
• Published work through the University of Portland, contributing to advancements in produce hygiene standards
• What Does ATP Hygiene Monitoring Tell Us About Dirty and Clean Surfaces in the Postharvest Produce Environment? - Pilot Scholars

Projects

CRUX@UCLA –– ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECT TEAM                                                                          October 2024 - Present

• Develops ML models to interpret EEG data, generating perceptual embeddings for generative AI application
• Builds hierarchical learning structures to train model adaptability and learning efficiency for prosthetic application

UCLA BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING SOCIETY –– MAP GELS RESEARCH PROJECT TEAM                       October 2024 - Present

• Optimizes gel formulations by refining parameters to enhance mechanical and functional gel properties, aiming to increase implant success rates and explore broader applications in dental implants
• Engineers GelMA-based MAP gels to enhance dental implant coatings, improving biocompatibility, antibacterial efficacy, and mechanical strength for better integration and reduced infection risk

CRUX@UCLA –– BRAIN COMPUTER INTERFACE (BCI) RESEARCH PROJECT TEAM             October 2023 – September 2024

• Develops an innovative maze game that leverages Steady-State Visual Evoked Potential (SSVEP) signals to enable users to navigate a first-person maze without physical input
• Employs advanced signal processing techniques and ML algorithms in Python to analyze EEG data, contributing to the advancement of non-invasive neural control interfaces for real-time applications

UCLA BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING SOCIETY –– BUILD TEAM                                                              October 2023 – June 2024

• Designs and builds a pulse oximeter biomedical device applying engineering skills in circuitry, PCB design, 3D CAD, Arduino, C++ to ensure optimal performance in measuring blood oxygen levels