About Me: I presently teach science to approximately 100 seventh grade students per year in the city of Quincy, MA. My classroom from early on has been referred to as “organized chaos” with performance based learning being my preferred teaching method. Students routinely employ the engineering design process using primarily found materials. Cardboard and duct tape are two of our most commonly used items. Our curriculum is presently in transition but is heavy on energy and environmental science the latter of which is of great personal interest. I have been exposed to so many amazing trainings and collaborations over my career the latest of which is at WPI! In my personal time I am passionate about gardening and have worked to establish an ecosystem that is sustainable for nature and for personal consumption. I also enjoy scuba diving locally and abroad with my husband of many years as well as collaborating with him on 3D-designs and laser-cut projects.

Diving in Playa Kalki, Curacao SP 2024	Engineering with Cardboard	Onions and Native Flowers

About the Lab: Professor Zheng’s lab is trying to develop a “smart” tool for aspirating cerebral blood clots for ischemic stroke patients with greater “safety and efficacy”. The success rate for blood clot removal, the 2nd leading cause of death globally, is presently quite low, 25%-for first attempts and can also lead to more serious problems. Many disciplines are working together to accomplish this goal. Our primary part in this process is to make then test pressure impacts on “phantom” arteries, a component of the benchtop design. Side projects will include testing recipes for making stiff and soft blood clots and maximizing efficiency and identifying protocol for the aforementioned procedures.

	Our Goals within the Larger Goals

Project Title: Engineering Bench-Top Testing of Interventional Devices for Cardiovascular Disease with Professor Yihao Zheng with Graduate Student Brianna Raphino.

Weekly Updates:

• Week 1: Participants were introduced to the overarching goals of the WPI – RET program as well as the individual research projects. In our personal lab we were immediately exposed to various works in motion such as refining recipes for making blood clots, observing the fabrication of the silicone-arteries an existing 3D printed mold, learning to use various tools required in the testing process such as operating the pressure-pot, measuring pressure with the Kyphon Balloon Kyphoplasty tool, a quick overview of how the benchtop design works and a run-down of the existing procedures and protocols in place toward the end goal. Professor Zheng and his assistant supplied us with reading materials and visuals which provided valuable background information. Utilizing time away from the lab I was able to provide the team with modified prototypes of the 3D printed artery molds which when tested offered consistent simulated-artery thickness (a limitation of the current mold) with the ability to print five (to the existing 1) prototypes per round. The design will be tested in week two.
• Week 2: Time was spent updating our individual websites as well as completing our lab proposals. Background research on materials, specs, procedure-refinements, etc. is ongoing. The team reviewed the procedure for testing the new, 3D printed “artery-molds” while debugging possible pitfalls. The focus this week is primarily on the production of and designing a test for the the silicone arteries. Four single artery-mold’s were loaded using the silicone mix and put into the pressure chamber and two, 6″ molds were tested; one with the silicone mix and one with the Elastomer mix. Both were left to air dry for 24 hours. This is the start of ongoing testing. Professional development
• Week 3: flying solo the first half of the week: updated “lab notebook (slides)” with 5 artery mold versions, pictures, labels and techniques for preparing and releasing molds. Helped set up and test new Vevor vacuum pump (3L) as an alternative to the pressure chamber used previously. Prepared 3 multi-molds (limited to 15 steel rods so 3 max), 2 horizontal and one vertical with SYLGARD silicone mix, consulted with lab mentor on the history of the original artery mold and techniques for newer molds, consulted with teacher mentor on direction of project (engineering of molds to produce useable arteries for testing/ignore artery perfection and test artery for pressure parameters… or double down… I prefer the latter). M with Professor Zheng to review lab procedure for techniques on testing arteries and making authentic blood clots in Gateway Labs. Professional development (global initiatives and industry people). Goal to secure viable silicone-arteries to begin testing.
• Week 4: Lorem ipsum
• Week 5: Lorem ipsum
• Week 6: Lorem ipsum

Final Poster:

Lesson Plan: