Education

• 2020 - 2024

  Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering

  Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts

  • Dissertation Title: All Models are Wrong, Simple Models Provide Insight: A Study of Human Manipulation
  • Advisor: Neville Hogan
• 2018 - 2020

  M.S., Mechanical Engineering

  Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts

  • Dissertation Title: Towards a non-invasive measurement of human motion, force, and impedance during a complex physical-interaction task: wire-harnessing
  • Advisor: Neville Hogan
• 2014 - 2018

  B.S., Mechanical Engineering

  Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut

Experience

• 2024 - 2027

  Postdoctoral Research Fellow

  Haptics and Medical Robotics (HAMR) Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University

  • Conducting cutting-edge research on haptic feedback and its role in robotic manipulation tasks to advance technologies in rehabilitation, prosthetics, and surgical robotics.
  • Mentoring and advising PhD and master’s students on research methodologies, experimental design, and career development.
• 2018 - 2024

  Graduate Researcher

  Newman Laboratory for Biomechanics & Human Rehabilitation, MIT

  • Explored how kinematic analysis of the human hand can be used to estimate the complexity of a piano score.
  • Collected & analyzed data on human hand manipulation of complex objects & tools.
  • Investigated how humans estimate hidden mechanical properties of another`s limbs simply by observing their motions.
  • Conducted human subject experiment to analyze how humans control force during motion.
• 2017

  Robotic Design Intern

  Medtronic, North Haven, Connecticut

  • Designed & built the first prototype of an articulating endoscope to interface with a surgical robot, using Creo Parametric 3.0.
  • Implemented the endoscopes controller model using Simuscape 2017.
• 2016 - 2017

  Undergraduate Research Assistant

  Yale Biomechanics & Control Lab, Yale University

  • Designed & built a 125-part saw guide to improve sternotomies & decrease complications stemming from sternal non-union.
• 2016

  Design Engineering Student

  Medical Device Design & Innovation, Yale University

• 2017 - 2018

  Undergraduate Research Assistant

  Social Robotics Laboratory Lab, Yale University

  • Designed & built the interior & exterior components of a social robot`s articulating face to improve infant-robot interaction.

Honors and Awards

• 2024

  • Johns Hopkins University Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (PPF) ($100,880)
  • Office of Graduate Education Service Award, MIT Recognizing Individuals Supporting Equity (RISE) Awards
  • Shirley Anne Jackson Award, MIT Ebony Affair
    • Presented to the black graduate student who exemplifies the spirit of trailblazing leadership, academic excellence, and commitment to breaking barriers in their field of study.
• 2023

  • 12th Place (out of 300+ Submissions) Best Poster Competition, Rehab Week
  • Accenture Fellowship ($98,349)
  • MIT Mechanical Engineering Research Exhibition (MERE), Honorable Mention Best Overall Performance ($125)
  • Black Alumni of MIT (BAMIT) Research SLAM, 2nd Place ($500)
• 2022

  • Takeda Fellowship ($94,789)
• 2021

  • Ben Gold Fellowship ($90,932.76)
• 2020

  • Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA) Excellence in Research Award, MIT Ebony Affair
  • Ford Foundation Fellowship ($81,000)
  • GEM University Associate Fellowship
• 2018

  • GEM University Associate Fellowship
  • Ford Foundation Fellowship Honorable Mention
  • UCEM SLOAN Scholar, MIT
  • OGE Diversity Fellowship, MIT
• 2017

  • Student Design Showcase, 3rd Place, Design of Medical Devices Conference