Hometown: Corner Brook, NL
Program: PhD in Biomedical Engineering
What attracted you to your field?
Before enrolling in my program, I worked as a researcher on projects in the aviation and defense industries. For me, this path lacked some fulfillment as I wanted my work to directly make a difference. In contrast, I feel there are a handful of fields that both innovate and have direct, positive impact on people’s quality of life. Biomedical engineering is one of those special fields.
What is your favourite moment from your time at UBC?
While I found my research compelling, my favorite moments tended to occur outside of the lab. Over several years I designed workshops for Science World’s annual Girls in STEAM symposium, representing the UBC School of Biomedical Engineering by showcasing displays on biomedical robotics in addition to 3D printing and modelling. There is one picture from that event that was published in the Vancouver Sun which featured a young person absolutely in awe of a 3D printer in action, printing a tiny elephant they had just seen on the computer. These moments of inspiration stand out to me.
What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?
Everyone is a novice at some point – try your best to put your ego aside and don’t be afraid to ask questions and contribute to discussions.
Tell us briefly about your research.
My research centred on total knee replacement (TKR), a procedure that treats knee arthritis by replacing damaged cartilage with synthetic components. Although TKRs typically last a long time, some need to be replaced due to issues such as loosening from the bone. My work illustrated that conventional study designs are inefficient for studying component loosening in TKR and I proposed alternative study designs that could be more efficient. With yearly TKR cases rising, my research illustrates a plausible pathway for studying loosening, hopefully spurring new innovations that can extend the lifetime of implanted components.
What’s next for you?
I’ve just begun my career in the medical technology industry, and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve been spending ample time with family and friends while finding additional time to become more involved in my local community.