Projects
Like my research, I’ve always gravitated toward a wide range of projects. I’m simply drawn to innovation across all kinds of fields and whilst the topics may vary, the common thread is my naive curiosity and willingness to understand things deep outside my realm of knowledge.
Inspiricle: Tackling COPD
Inspiricle was developed within Columbia University's Life Science Accelerator Boot Camp, a program held in collaboration with the Translational Therapeutics Accelerator (TRx), BiomedX, and Accelerating Cancer Therapeutics Accelerators. The project centers on the Columbia Research Team led by Principal Investigator Jeanine D’Armiento, MD, PhD, and their work to develop pathogenic treatments for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). As part of this program, the task involved a comprehensive analysis of the research's commercial potential. This analysis included evaluating the innovation's strengths and weaknesses, assessing the market size and competitive landscape, devising a go-to-market strategy, and constructing a revenue model.
At Oregon State University my team and I developed a product called the Sweat Sucker 9000. This project tackled the problem of sweat buildup in transfemoral prosthetic sockets, a common source of discomfort for amputees. Our solution was a vacuum pump attachment that draws sweat away using a hydrophobic mesh into a removable cup. Testing showed increased sweat removal and effective vacuum pressure. Future improvements aimed for smarter sensing and material enhancements. This innovative project, recognized with the 2023 Engineering Expo Industry Leading Innovation for Genentech Hillsborough Technology (LIGHT) at OSU, offers a promising way to improve prosthetic comfort and user satisfaction.
Sweat Sucker 9000
Smart Knee Wearable
At Columbia University I was part of a project which created a smart knee wearable, designed to assess and quantify lower body movement and force during physical therapy. It consists of two straps, one for the thigh and one for the lower leg. Each strap includes Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) to precisely track leg movement and calculate knee bending angles. The lower leg strap also has a force sensor (load cell) to measure applied forces. By combining data from the IMUs and load cell, the device could generate detailed force profiles, providing objective measurements of muscle strength and performance for physical therapy assessment.
PHB from Cyanobacteria
This project, focused on the production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a biodegradable plastic, from the cyanobacteria Synechocystis cf. salina Wislouch No. 192. Driven by environmental concerns associated with petrochemical plastics, the project aimed to establish a process to produce PHB as a sustainable alternative. The proposed method involves cultivating the cyanobacteria in large raceway ponds, utilizing sunlight and atmospheric CO₂. Following cultivation, the biomass undergoes a surfactant-hydrocarbon digestion method to recover PHB powder, involving steps like centrifugation, blending, and spray drying. The project targets an annual production capacity of 30 tonnes of PHB powder, intended for sale to manufacturing companies. The process design includes 14 raceway ponds, each holding 1.5 million liters, operating in batches to achieve the production goal.
To support the development and evaluation of the production system, several key tasks were undertaken, including the creation of a process flow diagram (PFD) and block flow diagram (BFD), quality control planning, and equipment size estimation. Additionally, the team conducted a scope and market analysis to assess the commercial viability of the proposed product. These components were essential in ensuring the technical feasibility and potential scalability of the PHB production process.
GardenConnect
For our Human-Centered Design course at Columbia University under Professor Harry West, I co-developed GardenConnect, a digital platform designed to revitalize community gardens across New York City by empowering locals—particularly young adults—to reconnect with green spaces through volunteering, event hosting, and community engagement. We began by conducting interviews with a range of stakeholders, from elderly caretakers and garden managers to parents and students, to understand the barriers preventing consistent garden upkeep and engagement. From these insights, we designed an app that not only maps out available gardens and their upcoming events, but also allows users to volunteer, host their own events, and communicate directly with garden coordinators. I worked on both the user experience and the system design, helping to prototype a clean, intuitive interface using tools like Firebase, OpenStreetMap, and React. We also developed a sustainable business model that allowed gardens to generate revenue by renting out space for events while keeping the platform free for general users. Looking ahead, we envisioned the platform expanding into food insecurity solutions and educational workshops. The project not only deepened my skills in human-centered research and product development, but also inspired me to continue supporting early-stage innovation—something I later pursued as a teaching assistant for Professor West’s Tough Tech course, helping guide others through similarly impactful and technically ambitious projects.