Throughout my time at Aziyo Biologics, I gained several real world skills, such as problem solving and communication skills. I was able to develop "job skills" like innovation and creativity in a field where analytics are thought to be the primary concern. In terms of gaining knowledge regarding the biomedical engineering field, I had multiple opportunities to tour several companies that offered different products and technologies. Additionally, I was independently able to write my own protocol and carry out an approved experiment with extracellular matrix tissue. Throughout the experiment I learned how to properly operate an Instron Tensile Strength Machine and analyze data. I have learned that keeping keeping consistent data and recording everything is extremely important when preforming an experiment. The actions that I have taken to get the most out of this experiment is to ask questions when I didn't understand something and to keep an open mind. I have learned that it is important to keep an optimistic attitude even when something doesn't happen the way you hoped.
This internship has prepared me for the future by giving me the opportunity to work hands-on with the machinery commonly used in the biomedical engineering field. This internship gave me a year of experience and knowledge that I can apply in college and future jobs. With everything that I have learned in the past year, I will be more familiar with how a biomedical company operates as opposed to a student who never experienced this hands-on internship. In addition, I have learned how to present myself to others in the professional field and communicate properly with superiors. This internship has changed my views on the engineering field because before I thought engineering was solely math and science, but I came to realize it's also about creativity and inspiration. In fact, when I interviewed my mentor, I asked him if he felt like he could incorporate both his creativity and analytical background into a product and he said, "Every initial idea takes creativity, but there has to be analytics for it to work." My advice to future HMP students would be to make sure they choose a career field that is interesting to them. It's important not to choose a career because all your friends are doing it, otherwise you aren't going to get anything from it and you won't enjoy it. Also, I would advise them to develop time management skills because with class, extracurriculars, and jobs, it's going to be hard to juggle it all. The HMP program is a lot more work than you think it will be, so it's important to keep up with the weekly assignments. Finally, I would advise them to always come into their internship with a good attitude because you will enjoy it more!
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My name is Divya Bhakta and I am participating in the Honors Mentorship Program as a senior at South Forsyth High School. This year I have been interning at a biomedical company called Aziyo Biologics where I have learned many new aspects of the engineering field, as well as life skills such as communication, innovation, and team work. During my time there, I focused my research on an essential question: “Do environmental effects impact the normal functioning of extracellular matrix tissue and if so, what material prevents this effect?” I began researching this topic by analyzing scholarly articles and journals regarding the composition of ECM and its functions. After gaining basic knowledge about the material, I began writing my protocol for my experiment. The protocol mostly consisted of the sample justification and purpose of conducting the experiment. Essentially, I would take a total of 20 sheets of ECM and divide then into two groups: environmentally conditioned and ambient condition. I took the environmentally conditioned samples and sent them to a lab called WuxiApptec, that subjected the samples to different conditions (extreme hot, extreme cold, and humid). I then dogbone-diecut all of the samples. Finally, I preformed a tensile strength test that pulled the samples in a 90 degree angle. I then compared the values to determine a variance. I found that the two groups did exihbit a difference, thus environmental conditions do impact the mechanical properties of ECM. In addition to conducting the experiment, I conducted an interview with my mentor, in which I asked him about the procedure for the experiment. After analyzing my results, I realized how versatile the ECM material is in the medical field, but also the conditions that can easily degrade it. These findings can be applied to procedures like skin repair, cardiac surgery, and bone repair!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tShavGuo0_E
According to the WellCast video, the Triple P Method can effectively tackle any presentation jitters. It includes: Preparation, Posture, and Pandering. Perhaps the most important is practicing the content of the presentation. In other words, it's essential that I know exactly what I am saying forwards and backwards. I can do this by writing down the top main ideas I want to explore. Additionally, it is important to maintain a relaxed posture - not too stiff, but not too slouched. Remind yourself that you are just talking to people and you maintain confidence. Next is the proper introduction to your presentation. I need to create a hook so as to draw the audience in and keep them interested. I can start with a short anecdote or a joke, but I also need to have a clear conclusion to tie everything together. Furthermore, the video also stated that while having guided notecards is a good idea, reading straight from them is not a good idea. You can lose your audience's attention and it also makes it seem like you don't know what you are presenting about. Overall, it is important to remember the Triple P Method when preparing for a presentation. This is a reflection paragraph about environmental conditions and molecular composition of ECM tissue.
This week as a part of my Capstone Project, I have been creating an experiment plan in order to provide justification for my essential question. I have just completed my protocol discussing my purpose of performing the experiment: to what extent do environmental conditions effect the functioning of extracellular matrix tissue. Next week I will actually be conducting my experiment. In addition, I have been creating informative brochures with pictures of the ECM material and the Instron tensile strength machinery.
This is my second annotated bibliography.
This is my second graphic organizer.
My current essential question is, "Do environmental conditions effect the normal functioning of extracellular matrix tissue and if so what material prevents this effect?" I chose to focus my research on this topic because the use of extra cellular matrix tissue in medical equipment is vast and in high demand. It's important to understand the science behind the ECM material to truly uncover all of its uses. However, it is equally important to protect the material so that it will function properly with the human body. Thus I chose to look a step further and look at potential environmental conditions that the ECM material might face in transportation and see how the Tyveck packaging prevents this effect. I plan to organize an experiment and showcase my results in order to answer my essential question. In addition, I plan to interview other biomedical engineers who have a background with ECM material to validate my answer.
1. Why did you decide to become a Biomedical Engineer?
I never really wanted to become an engineer growing up. I really wanted to become a doctor, but the situation was complicated and I couldn’t get into the upper division. Basically, both my professors at the time had very heavy accents so I knew I was never going to make it. R: This is interesting because even if something doesn't work out in your original intentions, there are many different pathways to go into. It's encouraging to know that I shouldn't be so focused on one career that I ignore all other possibilities. 2. Explain the kind of education you went through to become a biomedical engineer. I was a refugee from Vietnam and ended up staying in a refugee camp at the age of 14. I got adopted by an American family where I grew up and went to school. I was a very high achieving student. I would participate in things like debate club and Model UN. There was a man at a competition that I was participating in that took people to Canada during the Vietnam War so they wouldn’t have to get shipped out, so I eventually got in contact with him. We became close friends and he helped me get in Damon College, since he was a professor there. After I quit taking up pre-med classes, I got certified in Mathematics and Technology Basics. I then continued on the path by taking Industrial engineering courses, when I got offered 3 job placements. I took a job in Buffalo, NY where I really expanded my learning capacity. I learned about medical devices, packaging, and management. I went back to school to get my mechanical engineering degree from Rochester University. Now I have a job here working on projects, I’m a consult where I get paid to work on projects for other companies, and I own my own business. R: This is a really encouraging and inspirational story. It shows that getting high grades isn't always the most important thing - it's more about motivation and a hunger for education. This education pathway is not what I expected. It's interesting to note that instead of having a biomedical engineer, he has a degree in mechanical engineering. I never realized that engineering is really just a huge sector of everything combined. 3. As an engineer, do you feel like you have the ability to be creative and analytical in the workplace? Definitely. Every project requires an initial creative idea to get started, but of course you have to be able to analyze and evaluate the results after experimenting. R: I think being able to express creativity was something that was an initial setback for me because I always thought that engineering was just math, but hearing this was encouraging. It's important to realize no project can get started without a initial innovative idea. 4. What are some different types of biomedical engineers? I know multiple people who have biomedical engineering degrees, but do different things. You can be working in tissue repair, medical devices, biomaterials, biomechanics and more. One engineer can be working in the lab, while another is recreating the system from the research. R: When I toured Immucore, I realized that biomedical engineering is a lot more than just medical devices. You can end up working in many different sectors that might surprise you. Research is something that has become high profile over the past couple of years. 5. Is there any biomedical projects you’ve been working on currently? Several! Right now, I’m working on a system to inject bone material for bone repair and reconstruction. I also have be working on growing human hair on hairless rats by injecting them with human skin cells. R: This was very interesting! There's a lot that can be done with biomaterials and the fact machines can be created to help with bone repair is really fascinating. The idea of creating human hair on hairless rats is amazing considering the many things that can be created with human skin cells. 6. How can we replicate the environmental effects? We won’t be subjecting them to environmental effects and then waiting several months for it to take effect. There are labs, like Wuxi Apptec, that take the material and put them in machines set to temperatures of extreme cold, extreme hot, and tropical conditions. This process only takes about a week. R: It becomes a lot more productive and efficient when this process can be sped up. The actual experimentation part can start quicker, so that there is more time to evaluate the results. 7. Can you explain how the Tyveck material protects the product through transportation? Tyveck material is high-density polyethylene fibers, which really just means it is a very strong material. It is difficult to cut open, which is good during transportation. R: The ECM material can be transported all over the world, so ultimately is has to keep its form throughout all conditions. The Tyveck material, being that is it made up of high-density fibers, can serve as an ideal protective covering. 8. Do you know of any other products made with extracellular matrix tissue? ECM has a variety of functions. They can be used for abdominal wall reconstruction, plastic surgery, suture reinforcement, pelvic floor reconstruction. R: Being that the ECM material is made up of collagen, it seems that the material would serve many purposes because it's a tough substance. Human skin cells can attach to the ECM material. 9. What is the process of extracting the ECM material? We get the ECM material from pig intestines. The pig has to be fed a certain kind of food and it needs to be a certain weight before it can be sacrificed. Then the intestines are removed and cut into very thin sheets. These sheets are cleaned off with water and dehydrated with a machine that basically pulls the water out of the material. The sheets are then sterilized and ready to be used. R: There's definitely a certain protocol that needs to be followed precisely so that the ECM material can be fully functional for use. Everything needs to be documented, dated, and signed off. 10. What is the importance of testing the tensile strength of the ECM material? The tensile strength of the material is quite important to the proper functioning of the material. It needs to withstand a certain amount of pressure to be able to work properly. These components must be verified before use, otherwise you risk the possibility of complications. R: Tensile strength is a way of determining if a material is fully functional. It is going to be important to compare the tensile strength of ECM in ambient temperatures and ECM from environmental conditioning. My PowerPoint on Biomedical Engineering
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Divya B.High School Intern at a biomedical engineering company called Aziyo Biologics Archives
May 2018
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