Kiera Cullen - MSc Graduate Biomedical Engineering
Masters Thesis: My Master’s thesis was completed here in the Reilly lab under the supervision of Professor Richard Reilly. The title of my thesis was ‘A Protocol for Measuring Cognitive Function using Ambulatory EEG’. I used the mBrainTrain Smarting Mobi kit to measure EEG and XSENS DOTS to measure all gait movements. I used the data provided by both systems to measure cognitive function. Audio Stimulation was provided to the participants via a headset using custom code Neurobehavior Systems Presentation software platform. All data was analyzed using custom MATLAB code. The images below show some of the experiment set up and data used in my thesis.
Skills Developed:
Analytical Thinking/Public Speaking
Human Testing
MATLAB programming language
EEGLab and ERPLab extensions
EEG data acquisition and analysis
Inertia Measurement Unit based analysis
Internship: I completed a 9 month research and development internship at Beckon Dickson Enniscorthy, Wexford, Ireland during 2021. I worked on the redesign of a Fistula formation device as part of a 5 person research and development team. As part of the team I contributed to ideation and testing mechanisms of a product redesign. This involved contacting new suppliers and sourcing the materials that we used to make models of the device. I also had to work in the R&D lab to conduct testing and analysis of our models. This project was in the end of idea phase when I joined the team and in the process of moving to planning phase when I left. This project underwent 3 cadaver studies and 2 animal studies during my time on the team. I was involved in the organization and planning of the animal studies, which focused on the vascular space. Through these studies, we were able to determine the best animal model to test our device and gather key information needed for the design process. Most of the details of the project I was working on at Beckon Dickson are under a nondisclosure agreement contract.
Skills Developed:
Leadership and Teamwork
Analytical Thinking/Public Speaking
Problem Solving Capabilities
Solidworks
Animal Study Organization
Group Project: This project was completed in a group of 4 with the goal of determining a clinical need in any medical area and designing a new solution for this clinical need. The title of this project was ‘Clinical Need Identification: Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome’. This assignment also included completing a patent search in the area of the design and then determine the pathways for this device to achieve FDA and CE approval. The final part of this assignment was to complete a failure mode and effects analysis of the design created. As well as the report, I completed an executive summary of the total report document, available below. Our design focused on changing the nasal interface to prevent pressure sores on the neonates.
Finite Element Analysis using Abaqus: This report explores the finite element analysis of a nitinol self-expanding stent in Abaqus. Three different stent models were created and used in this analysis; Model 1 had the original stent geometry, Model 2 had the link of the stent strut decreased, and Model 3 had the radius of the stent strut increased. The simulation run on these models was the stent being crimped and then self-expanding. This data was used to generate plots of the change of diameter of the stent vs the reaction force of the stent. Fatigue testing was also completed by having the stent decrease to a diameter of 5mm after it was fully expanded. This type of fatigue testing allowed the creation of a Goodman plot. Using the Goodman plot for each model it was determined that Model 2 and Model 3 would fail before Model 1. Thus, the changes to the geometry were not beneficial to the fatigue life of the stent. This report also demonstrates how useful finite element analysis can be in modelling different models and materials.
Abaqus model of nitinol self-expanding stent.
Research Proposal: Designed a research proposal titled Personalization of Deep Brain Stimulation Treatment for people with advanced Parkinson’s Disease and Long-Term Deep Brain Stimulation use to improve gait difficulties. This research proposal included a design for the experiment and a budget proposal for the intended research. This proposal was related to the topic of my master’s thesis as it focused on gait impairment.
Global Scholarship for Excellence from Trinity College Dublin (2017)
Awarded based on academic achievement and contribution to the Trinity community
Head instructor of Half Moon Bay Yacht Club, awarded Best Youth Sailing Program on the US West Coast 2017 by the Pacific Coast Yachting Association. More information at the link below.
Leadership and Teamwork
Analytical Thinking/Public Speaking
Developed during my time as a sailing instructor as daily lesson plans were given
During my internship I presented my design ideas and materials options to my team and outside suppliers
Human Testing
Used with many human participants throughout my thesis to measure EEG and gait.
Problems Solving Capabilities
Used during my time as a sailing instructor and further developed during my internship while working on the product redesign
Microsoft Office Suite
MATLAB programming language
Used EEGLab and ERPLab
EEG data acquisition and analysis
C++ programing language
Solidworks and AutoCAD and Abaqus
MADYMO Software
Inertia Measurement Unit based analysis
About Me:
I grew up in Half Moon Bay, California, which is located 40 minutes south of San Francisco. I moved to Ireland at the age of 18 to study engineering at Trinity College Dublin. I have since completed my Masters in Biomedical Engineering at Trinity College Dublin in Neural Engineering at the Reilly Lab. During my time at Trinity College Dublin, I was a cox for the men’s rowing team in Dublin University Boat Club, winning the Dublin Colours Boat race in my novice year. In my free time I love to travel and express my creativity through baking. During my undergrad, I taught sailing to kids, ages 8-16 years old, during the summers at Half Moon Bay Yacht Club.
