Taryn Renée Imamura

I am currently a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. I am coadvised by Prof. Bex Taylor (Microsystems and Mechanobiology Lab) and Dr. Sarah Bergbreiter (Microrobotics Lab). I graduated from Stanford University in June 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics with a focus in Electromechanical Systems Design. My previous research experiences range from characterizing oyster reef populations to testing the survivability of MEMS Disc Resonator Gyroscopes. During my undergraduate career, I interned at the SLAC Linear Accelerator, the Fermi National Accelerator Labs, and the Stanford Micro Structures and Sensors Lab. I am currently a GEM, NSF, and ARCS fellow.

Current Projects

  • Development of a hybrid top-down, bottom-up manufacturing process for microswimmers using DNA origami.
  • Developing switchable microswimmers using DNA origami

Research Experience

Design Comparison and Survivability of Epitaxially Encapsulated MEMS Disc Resonating Gyroscopes at High Shock (>27,000g) * Documented more than 200 Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Disc Resonator Gyroscopes (DRG) designs from previous fabrication runs and identified 5 advantageous designs for this project. * Prepared >50 DRGs via silver pasting and wire bonding. * Tested the functionality of 30 MEMS devices through frequency tuning with a Locking Amplifier. * Mechanically shocked device at forces up to 20,000 g. * Collected and analyzed data from 30 MEMS from 5 different designs to quantify Quality factor Q pre- and post- shock and determine DRG robustness.

The Infulence of Oyster Reef Size on Invertebrate Species Richness and Abundance * Designed and implemented research methods to study the impact of Sydney Rock Oyster (S. glomerta) reef size on invertebrate species diversity. * Observed 25 individual reefs consisting of 1527 individual S. glomerta and 1327 invertebrates from 20 different species and 5 classes. * Summarized findings in a 15 min presentation and a 16 page research paper that was submitted for publication to the Stanford Undergraduate Research Journal.

Analysis and Characterization of SPT-3G Multiplexing Readout Electronics * Tested functionality of cryogenic electronics for use on the South Pole Telescope upgrade SPT-3G and removed any malfunctioning components prior to transportation to the South Pole.
* Characterized the behavior of 58 Super Conducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) and a network of 120 LC boards. * Documented SQUID/LC operating characteristics such as transimpedance and noise for use by SPT-3G team.

Synthesis of Biodiesel from Hydrolyzed Rice By-Products Fermented with Engineering B. subtilis * Discovered a new, more economically-feasible method to produce environmentally-friendly biodiesel from surfactant derived from Arkansas-grown rice waste products. * Developed a new, more environmentally-friendly surfactant production method using genetically-engineered Bacillus subtillus bacteria and Arkansas-grown agricultural waste products. * Trained 9+ lab interns in lab safety protocol. * Currently authoring 45+ page paper on cumulative 4-year research project (paper is being prepared for peer review and publication process).

Education

2020 -- BS in Engineering Physics Degree with focus in Electromechanical Systems Design, Stanford University

Publications

  • Cameron, C., Imamura, T., Devmalya, C., Vukasin, G., Alter, A., Kenny, T. “Design Comparison and Survivability of Epitaxially Encapsulated MEMS Disc Resonating Gyroscopes at High Shock (>27,000g)”, IEEE Inertial 2020

  • Imamura, T., Benson, B., Sasha Rahlin, Adam Anderson. “Analysis and Characterization of SPT-3G Multiplexing Readout Electronics.” Presented at FermiLab SIST/GEM Final Presentations 2018, Batavia, IL, 2018. Batavia, IL: Fermi National Accelerator Lab. Retrieved from: https://indico.fnal.gov/event/17717/

  • Cocco, D., Hardin, C., Ng, M. L., Zhang, L., Imamura, T., Assoufid, L. “Wavefront Preserving Mirrors for Free Electron Laser and Diffraction Limited Storage Ring Applications.” International Conference on Synchrotron Radiation Instrumentation, Taipei, Taiwan, 2018. Retrieved from: http://sri2018.nsrrc.org.tw/site/userdata/1157/paper/B4.2-0098.pdf.

  • Imamura, T. “Synthesis of Biodiesel from Hydrolyzed Rice By-Products Fermented with Engineering B. subtilis.” The Stanford Undergraduate Research Journal, vol. 17, no. Spring 2018, 22 Sept. 2018, pp. 56–62., http://surj.stanford.edu/synthesis-of-biodiesel-from-hydrolyzed-rice-byproducts-fermented-with-engineered-b-subtilis/.

Fellowships and Awards

  • National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) Recipient, 2020
  • National GEM Consortium Fellowship Recipient, 2020
  • ARCS Scholarship Recipient (The Unkovic-Pittsburgh Chapter Award), 2020
  • First place at LCLS Summer Intern Poster Session, 2017
  • Booth Prize for Excellence in Freshman Writing (Finalist), 2017
  • Fourth Place in Energy: Chemical Category at Intel ISEF, 2016

Contact Information

Please contact me by email: tri@andrew.cmu.edu