Work Experience
January 2026 – Present
University of Minnesota – Medical School, Dept. of Neurosurgery
Researcher II
- Engineered 3D-printed neural scaffolds and conductive adhesive flexible electronics, optimizing material flexibility and tissue adhesion properties to interface seamlessly with biological structures.
- Designed, developed, and verified electromechanical systems by building a custom NeuroNexus-based experimental setup for EEG detection and electrical stimulation, directly supporting implantable neurostimulator development and testing.
- Conducted complex in vivo clinical spinal surgery trials (laminectomies) on rodent models to collect and analyze neuromodulation data, validating neural pathway restoration and tissue-sensor interfaces.
- Led development of pulse and regional oximetry devices for vascular flow detection in spinal and cerebral areas, validating optical sensor performance and signal fidelity in low-perfusion conditions using ImageJ analysis.
- Performed test equipment qualification and Test Method Validation (TMV) for tissue-based sensing, utilizing MATLAB and Python for design characterization and analysis of complex biological datasets.
- Managed comprehensive wet lab operations including cell culturing and material preparation, while translating research discoveries into technical grant proposals and academic papers for publication.
- Pioneered 3D bioprinting workflows and executed TMV using machine learning algorithms to correct stem cell extrusion errors, increasing production precision and reliability by over 62%.
- Directed end-to-end product development of an implantable spinal window imaging device, leading SOLIDWORKS CAD design, material selection, and rapid prototyping in close collaboration with academic and medical personnel.
- Completed risk analysis and structural evaluations using ANSYS FEA, simulating physiological muscle loads to prevent post-implantation buckling and ensure mechanical reliability.
January 2025 – Present
SwiftZip LLC
Research & Development Engineer / Co-Founder
- Spearhead full-lifecycle R&D for a novel surgical suture alternative, advancing from concept exploration to design transfer and manufacturing implementation.
- Execute Design Verification (DV) and Test Method Validation (TMV) by authoring rigorous test protocols, executing testing, analyzing data, and writing comprehensive Design Verification Reports to support FDA regulatory submissions.
- Develop and maintain product risk files and Design Control documentation (CPRD) in strict compliance with ISO 13485, ISO 14971, and FDA 21 CFR Part 820, ensuring clear traceability of user needs to engineering specifications.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams and neurosurgeons to evaluate engineering design concepts through cadaveric in vivo testing, performing risk analysis and recommending design changes to meet clinical performance standards.
May 2024 – August 2024
Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN
Research & Quality Intern
- Coordinated and conducted clinical studies investigating variability in drug effectiveness, using statistical analysis to identify variables affecting patient outcomes.
- Redesigned clinical trial consent protocols with visual aids in Unity, improving candidate engagement and simplifying complex concepts for external stakeholders.
- Streamlined clinical workflows and investigated documentation gaps via process-mapping tools, ensuring ethical compliance and high-quality data for final regulatory reporting.
January 2024 – May 2024
Mechanical Engineering Dept. – University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Teaching Assistant – ME 3281: System Dynamics & Controls
- Developed structured learning materials to reinforce lecture content and support deeper student comprehension.
- Organized constructive discussions to help students understand course material and complete assigned tasks.
- Graded assignments and examinations, offering in-depth feedback to guide student improvement.
January 2024 – May 2024
Computer Science & Engineering Dept. – University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Teaching Assistant – CSCI 1113: Introduction to C/C++ for Scientists & Engineers
- Organized lab sections to help students develop practical programming skills grounded in classroom content.
- Led tutoring sessions to reinforce learning and connect students to academic support resources.
- Graded assignments and examinations with detailed, constructive feedback to maximize student growth.
January 2023 – December 2023
Abbott Laboratories – Structural Heart, St. Paul, MN
Research & Development Engineer Co-op
- Managed post-market complaint investigations and issue escalations for the Trifecta GT valve, determining root causes through rigorous failure analysis to support regulatory request responses.
- Executed design assurance testing and Design Verification (DV) for the Epic MAX valve, managing technicians to ensure strict adherence to reliability and performance specifications.
- Maintained and updated product risk files (FMEA) by compiling performance reports, trending post-market complaint statistics, and collaborating on design and manufacturing change orders.
- Developed and conducted reliability studies using Minitab and Design of Experiments (DOE) to analyze variables affecting product and process reliability.
- Re-engineered electromechanical components to eliminate production inefficiencies, reducing operator time on the production line by 18% and improving statistical process control.
- Guided and mentored cross-functional interns and technicians through new Test Method Validations (TMV), accelerating product development timelines by 45%.
June 2022 – July 2022
Earl Bakken Medical Device Center, University of Minnesota
Project Engineering Intern
- Innovated and implemented a new medical device with peers and a practicing surgeon, enhancing ICU equipment maneuverability to reduce errors in emergency medicine.
- Collaborated with medical and legal professionals to optimize prototyping processes and conducted SWOT analyses and IP landscape reports for patent eligibility assessment.
May 2021 – August 2021
Superfit Steelcon Ltd., Nairobi, Kenya
Structural Engineer Intern
- Organized engineering drawings of steel structure assemblies from AutoCAD and Tekla Structures prior to fabrication.
- Designed workflow processes to fabricate steel beams efficiently and allocate resources to meet project deadlines.
- Met with project clients, engineers, and sub-contractors to draft contracts and inter-party agreements.
