About Me
a look into me and my personal background
About Me
I'm a junior at Columbia University, majoring in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Mechanical engineering. I was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, before moving to Southern California in high school to pursue my dreams and take advantage of the many opportunities in the medical device industry here.
Since then, I've taken on many projects and endeavours, ranging from becoming the program manager of CU - Engineers Without Borders Morocco, to partaking in exciting design challenges.
Ultimately, I'm extremely passionate about solving the problems faced in the medical field. I aspire to work at the intersection of medicine, engineering, design, and entrepreneurship to innovate novel solutions and reshape the accessibility and potential of the medical field.
Beyond my academic and career interests, I'm really passionate about my Filipino culture, and enjoy bullet journalling, hiking, travelling, sewing, and singing (especially in karaoke)!
Resume
Education
Columbia University: School of Engineering and Applied Science
2018 - 2022
New York, NY
Majoring in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Mechanical Engineering.
Work Experience
Columbia University Neurotrauma & Repair Lab
Jan 2019 - Present
Undergraduate Researcher
- Work alongside Honda to model edema and ischemia associated with severe traumatic brain injury resulting from car accidents, and predict mortality rates
- Undertake literature reviews on key questions—such as relationships between brainstem lesion and patient outcome, and brainstem material tolerance—and present findings
- Undergo quantitative analysis of strains using finite-element methods on brain parts to predict added inter-cranial pressure
- Contributed to automation of data processing using C++ and MATLAB to run calculations
- Used Inverse FE methodology to test and validate experimental data of brain material properties
OpenBCI
June 2019 - Aug 2019
Software and Hardware Engineering Intern
- Conceptualized, designed, and made preliminary prototypes of an EMG-sensing armband to provide means of generalizing signals from precise finger motions
- Spearheaded the full design and production of app that stimulates precise visual brain frequencies to to OpenBCI Software, including UI formatting in Processing, developing networking data formats, and testing
- Hacked electric connections to remote-controlled robot to allow EMG-control, and integrated with OpenBCI Software using Arduino
Skills
Programming Languages: Java (Proficient), C++ (Fluent), Python (Fluent)
Skills: Project Management, Technical Design, CAD, Engineering Drawing, Arduino, Hydraulic grading, 3D Printing
Applications: Solidworks, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), FEBio, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Trello, Slack
Leadership Experience & Activities
Columbia University Engineers Without Borders: Morocco
November 2019 - Present
Program Manager
- Oversee design and implementation of gravity-fed water distribution system in rural commune of Ait Bayoud, Morocco
- Manage multiple projects including pipeline design, tank design, water quality assessment, and community development
- Manage logistics of large-scale project, including scheduling and community development, to ensure all teams are optimally equipped to implement their designs
- Liaison between Morocco program and Engineers Without Borders-USA to ensure program conforms to EWB standards
August 2019 - November 2019
Water/Piping Lead
- Oversee the continued design of water distribution project to bring running water to two rural villages
- Lead technical design problems and calculations regarding hydraulics and gravity-fed water distribution systems
- Foster collaboration in Water/Piping team to create optimal designs using team input
Columbia Summer Design Challenges
July 2020 - August 2020
Participant — Safer Medical Care In a World Shaped By COVID-19
- Developed designs and rough prototypes for a novel PPE set with color-changing and self-cleaning features
- Researched issues faced by healthcare workers, including self-contamination during donning and doffing
- Reviewed literature and consulted researchers in relevant fields to gather all relevant technical information for design
- Undertook user testing through interviews in order to tailor product to user needs and comforts
Liga Filipina of Columbia University
Jan 2020 - Present
Vice-President
- Spearhead the planning of large events with up to 1000 people in attendance
- Collaborate with executive board to ensure engagement through events that educate on Filipino history and heritage, as well as events that foster community
- Oversees communication with other member schools of the Filipino Intercollegiate Networking Dialogue
- Advocates for major Filipino issues, such as Indigenous language preservation and natural disaster relief
References
As seen on LinkedIn
Over the course of the summer, Leanne demonstrated time and time again an exacting approach to solving bio-sensing hardware and software problems. She applied her previous experience with Java and Python and as well as rapidly acquired practical knowledge of PCBs, Arduino programming, circuitry, and EEG/EMG/EKG. Leanne created for the company and for our customers tools/resources still used everyday. Authored examples of her technical growth are found, but not limited to, here and here.
Shirley Zhang
Director of Operations, OpenBCI
Sometimes interns require lots of additional work to keep busy. This was not at all the case with Leanne. She exceeded expectations on everything that was thrown her way and was an absolute pleasure to work with. She is extremely bright, organized, and self-motivated. I'd work with her again in a heartbeat!