Senator
Biography
Current Biomedical Engineering PhD Candidate with research experience in developing pre-clinical experiments involving biomaterials, drug delivery strategies, oncology, and tissue engineering. Graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with experience in initiating R&D projects to reduce cost and managing design prototypes in NX and Solidworks at Siemens Healthineers. Founded the first Early Mentoring Program for STEM graduate women at UTK. I hope to be a link between engineering and medicine and to have the opportunity to contribute to the care of others by developing medical devices that physicians can use to improve the lives of their patients. My commitment and enthusiasm to advance as a successful biomedical engineer to be globally engaged and be a significant contributor to the education, research, and innovations of STEM related fields, especially in addressing challenges that impact patients’ lives, derives from my volunteering experiences, research work, and academic preparation.
Research
ENGINEERED DESIGNS BIOMEDICINE LAB
GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT Jan. 2018– PRESENT
- As the first graduate student for PI, established laboratory chemical hygiene and biosafety plan, training documentation for future lab personnel, collaborations with other PIs and vendors, and SOPs for general lab safety and equipment use
- Initiated and developed methods for synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of drug release profiles for injectable hydrogel designed for local delivery of chemotherapy drugs to treat pediatric brain tumors
- Reviewing literature of current challenges and opportunities to improve chemotherapy administration, drug delivery methods, and drug penetration in pediatric brain tumors
THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEEE, KNOXVILLE
GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT Jan. 2018 – PRESENT
- Biomedical Engineering Fluid Mechanics I: Mentor for course and career preparation; manage coursework for 60+ students
- Anatomy and Physiology for Biomedical Engineers: Delivered 5 lectures to +100 students, provided feedback on student’s personal statements and coursework
- Biomedical Engineering Lab: Prepared and conducted cell culturing section of course for +100 students
SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS- MOLECULAR IMAGING
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING INTERN June 2016 –Dec. 2016
- Drafted, modeled, and conducted pressure and stress examination for over 100 parts and assemblies in NX and SolidWorks with FEA for PET/CT scanner cooling systems
- Revised build of materials, drawings, engineering change orders, and models to reduce cost by over $500,000
- Contacted suppliers and managed vendor meetings to determine feasibility of components in R&D phase
Education
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) TN, U.S.A
PhD IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING EXPECTED JULY 2017
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) TN, U.S.A
B.S. IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING WITH CHANCELLOR’S AND ENGINEERING HONORS DEC. 2017
- Cum laude graduate
- Biomedical engineering minor
Professional Service
SYNDAVER LAB
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING AMBASSADOR Jan. 2018– PRESENT
- Provided tours to +1000 K-12 students, teachers, and other participants on biomedical engineering by demonstrating use of biomedical applications and potential career pathways using Syndaver, a synthetic cadaver
WOMEN IN STEM ADVANCING RESEARCH, READINESS, AND RETENTION
MENTORING PROGRAM COORDINATOR Jan. 2018 – PRESENT
- Founded first mentoring program for STEM graduate women at University designed to provide opportunities to gain practical knowledge and insight from STEM professionals.
- Paired +50 graduate women students with professionals for one-on-one mentoring
- Executed +10 professional developmental workshops on career preparation for graduate students
Awards and Recognitions
2019-2020 Graduate Student Senate Excellence Service Award
2019 Selected as Trainee for Jackson Laboratory Course – Workshop for Modeling Human Cancer in Mice
2019 Graduate Student Professional Development Award
2019 The University of Tennessee Nominee for the P.E.O. Scholar Fellowship
2018 Student Speaker at Groundbreaking for New Engineering Complex at University of Tennessee
2018 Helen I. Jubin Memorial Engineering Fellowship
2018 University of Tennessee Society of Women Engineers Diamond Award
2018 Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering Department Fellowship
2018 Leuva Patidar Samaj Scholarship
2018 Placed First in Class III Exhibits for Engineers Day
2014-2017 Thaddeus Fitzpatrick Scholarship awarded by University of Tennessee College of Engineering
2015-2017 Medallion for Society of Women Engineers Sectional Honorable Leader
2017 Cum Laude Graduate
2017 College of Engineering Honors Graduate
2017 Chancellor’s Honors Program Graduate
2017 Recognized by College of Engineering for Advocacy in Women in Engineering (http://www.engr.utk.edu/jenny-patel-society-women-engineers-recognized/)
2017 Regional Society of Women Engineers Diamond Award: Member of Southeast Region whom best exemplifies the engineering profession through leadership and service
2016 Gold Place for Office of Research and Undergraduate Research Excellence
2016 College of Engineering First Place in Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement (EUReCA) Competition
2015 College of Engineering Honorable Mention for Research at Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement (EUReCA) Competition
2014 Most Outstanding Freshman of the Year for Society of Women Engineers
Publications
Patel JP, Grayson K, Zhang Z, King M. R., Barker E. D. Coordinated Release of TRAIL and Hydrophobic Sensitizer with Co-Solvent Hydrogel for Local Drug Delivery of Prostate Cancer. Poster presented at: Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting; 2019 Oct 16-19; Philadelphia, PA.
Patel JP, Barker ED. Drug Penetration in Pediatric Brain Tumors. Poster presented at: 5th Annual Cancer Research Symposium; 2019 Apr 25; University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, TN.
Masjedi S, Lei Y, Patel J, and Ferdous Z. Sex-Related Differences in Matrix Remodeling and Early Osteogenic Markers in Aortic Valvular Interstitial Cells. 2017. Heart and Vessels 32 (2). Springer Japan: 217–28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00380-016-0909-8.
Research Publication Acknowledgement: Davari, AS, Masjedi S, Ferdous Z, Mukherjee D. 2017. “In‐vitro analysis of early calcification in aortic valvular interstitial cells using Laser‐Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS).” Journal of Biophotonics 11 (1).
Patel J, Standbridge M, and Ferdous Z. A Comparative Study of Cellular Calcification within Male and Female Aortic Valves. Poster Presented at: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement; 2016; Knoxville, TN.
Parker S, Patel J, and Ferdous Z. Elucidating Sex-Related Differences in Calcification of Rat Aortic Heart Valves. Poster presented at: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement; 2015; Knoxville, TN.