Summer of '25 @ Mount Sinai BMEII 

Over the summer, I spent five weeks at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, BMEII Lab, immersed in real-world biomedical research, under the mentorship of Dr. AKbar Alipour, assistant professor of Biomedical engineering in Radiology. In this project, I designed and built radiofrequency (RF) surface coils for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). My project explored both wired and wireless coil designs with the goal of increasing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a key factor in producing sharper, more reliable MRI images. Working hands-on with circuits, soldering, and testing equipment, I learned how to translate abstract concepts in electromagnetism and engineering into practical devices that directly impact patient care and scientific discovery. I collaborated with graduate students and researchers, gaining exposure to the iterative process of prototyping, testing, and refining designs to achieve better performance. At the conclusion of the program, I presented my findings to the entire department, which not only strengthened my ability to communicate technical ideas to experts but also gave me the confidence to see myself as a contributor in a professional research environment. Beyond the technical work, I developed a deeper appreciation for the intersection of physics, engineering, and medicine, and how a small improvement in coil efficiency could lead to clearer scans and more accurate diagnoses. This experience not only strengthened my technical skills in RF engineering but also gave me a first-hand view of how biomedical innovation happens at the frontier of research. I look forward to presenting my design at a national radiology conference for physicians.