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Contact:
rowena
[at]
alum.mit.edu
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research experience |
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Bruchez Lab, Carnegie Mellon, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering Pittsburgh, PA
Molecular Biosensor & Imaging Center 2007-2010
 I designed, developed, and evaluated new quantitative methods for standardizing noninvasive stem cell tracking in vivo using QDs. Using my flow cytometric approach, I correlated QD uptake by cells with QD bioactiivty, toxicity, and effects on muscle derived stem cell (MDSC) osteogenic and myogenic differentiation in vitro (MDSCs courtesy of Huard Lab, UPITT). In vivo, I corrlated QD uptake by cells with detection sentivity. Additionally, I quantified fluorescence and contrast properties and toxicity of novel bismuth sulfide nanoparticles for noninvasive cell-tracking.
Figure: 705 nm emitting pArg-QD labeled NIH3T3s
Washburn Lab, Carnegie Mellon, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering Pittsburgh, PA
2005-2006
 I determined the feasibility of an inkjet-printed combinatorial array for optimizing the chemical, biological, and mechanical properties of polymer blends for tissue engineering. Additinoally, I developed collagen type I-DNA aptamers as ligands for targeted delivery of wound healing, hemostatic agents via SELEX.
Figure: Inkjetted hydrogel array on treated coverglass
Matsudaira
Lab, MIT Whitehead
Institute
Cambridge, MA
2003-2005
 I designed and fabricated microfluidic devices (PDMS chips) and microcontact printed surfaces (polyelectrolyte layering - Hammond/Rubner Lab) to create microenvironments for cell motility studies. Using these environments, I conducted time-lapse, confocal imaging studies of cell motility, behavior, adhesion, cell-cell and co-culture interactions in devices for 3D reconstruction of cell mechanics.
Figure: The interface of inert and adhesive micropatterned surface
 Figure: Patterned macrophages (IC-21) stained with Hoechst 33342 (blue; nuclei), CMFDA (green; cytoplasm), and Texas Red Phalloidin (red; actin).
The Bioprocessing
Technology Institute, Biopolis Singapore
2004
 To increase recombinant protein production, I isolated and tested the functionality of novel promoter genes-of-interest from the CHO cell, by genome walking, to design an expression system capable of driving high-level recombinant protein expression. The sequencing data I provided contributed towards mapping of the CHO genome, which had not been thoroughly explored.
Figure: GRP-pEGFP1 CHO
Harling Group, MIT
Nuclear Reactor Lab, Dept.
of Nuclear Engineering Cambridge, MA
2002
 I calibrated new germanium detecting systems for the Boron Neutron Capture Therapy team (BNCT). For the Nuclear Reactor Lab, I designed and implemented the Nuclear Reactor Lab (NRL) & Facilities website.
Figure: BNCT beam axis
New
York University Medical Center New York, NY
Stephen
D. Hassenfeld Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders 2000
 I job shadowed Dr.
Francine Blei during patient care and gained first-hand experience in clinical application of medical research by attending grand rounds and case meetings between the patient, patients’ family, and specialists. I reviewed pediatric hematology/oncology cases and conducted relevant literature research. For the SDH Chidren's Center, I authored educational patient newsletters on disorders, treatments, and recovery; and volunteered my time to spend with hospitalized pediatric patients.
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industry experience |
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Woburn, MA
Engineer, Supervisor: Andrey Zarur, Founder & CEO 2003
I designed, fabricated, implemented, and tested a novel, proprietary microfluidic device by combining microscale bioreactor and CD-ROM-lab-on-a-chip technology for automated, high-throughput cell culture. I also executed contracted pharmaceutical research for the then 15-member startup company, utilizing BioProcessor's SimCell high-throughput technology.
Market Research Intern, Supervisors: Meena R. Mansharamani, VP & Indra K. Nooyi, CEO
Purchase, NY
Corporate Strategy & Development, Mergers &
Acquisitions 2001
I compiled data and authored market (financial, company, product, consumer and market) and competitive intelligence research reports by leveraging internal/external databases, agencies, and primary market research to support the decision making of senior CS&D/M&A executives reporting directly to the CEO in acquiring new markets, companies, or products; in developing existing products, or in creating new marketing strategies.
I met regularly with the department executives to discuss corporate strategy, M&A opportunities, departmental candidate interviews and debriefings.
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professional development |
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University of Cambridge-MIT Institute (CMI) Enterprisers2003
Strathclyde, Scotland
In this residential entrepreneurial training program (formerly CMI Connections), I developed entrepreneurial project skills in the areas of starting a venture, taking risk, developing a venture plan, and team buildling.
To explore entrepreneurial events and the venture creation processes, I analyzed written case studies and attended guest entrepreneur seminars. Through the program, I built self-efficacy in starting a venture, taking risk, developing a venture plan, and team building.
MIT Sloan - Practice Opportunities Program (UPOP) 2003-2004 Cambridge, MA
As a student of this joint, year-long MIT Engineering & Sloan School of Business training course, I gained the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to effectively apply classroom learning to successful careers in engineering leadership by participating in group activities and attending lectures from engineering & business faculty and industry professionals. I learned valuable business and leadership skills needed in the engineering practice and finessed my leadership, interpersonal communication, and presentation skills. The course also gave me insight into economic, legal, organizational, and business realities of engineering.
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