VISE Summer Fellows

2024 VISE Summer Fellows (VSF)

Holden Turner, Double major: Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, Vanderbilt University
PI: Nabil Simaan, PhD, Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Research project: Development of a Dual-Arm Haptic Surgical Training System with a Virtually Simulated Environment

Evan Ticknor, Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University
PI: Xiaoguang Dong, PhD, Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Research project: Miniature, Bio-inspired Soft Robotics

Terra Lee, Child Development and Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University
PI: Catie Chang, PhD, Sally and Dave Hopkins Faculty Fellow, Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Research project: Investigating the Brain-Network Basis of Anxiety in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Eddie Shangguan, Computer Science & Mathematics, Vanderbilt University
PI: Ipek Oguz, PhD, Assistant Professor, Computer Science
Research project: Using Machine Learning/Deep Learning methods for Medical Image Analysis

John Bohatch, Biomedical Engineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering with a minor in Chemistry, Vanderbilt University
PI: Yuankai Huo, PhD, Assistant Professor, Computer Science
Research project: AI-Enhanced Diagnosis and Monitoring of Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Shirley Xu, Engineering Science, Chemistry, Vanderbilt University
PI: Kenny Tao, PhD, Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Research project: Complementary Technologies for a Handheld OCT Imaging System for Clinically Point-of-care Imaging

Anne Yang, Computer Science and Math, Vanderbilt University
PI: Jie Ying Wu, PhD, Assistant Professor, Computer Science
Research project: Augmented Reality Surgical Guidance for Tumor Resection with Deformation Modeling

Ophelia Lu, Double Major: Biomedical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Vanderbilt University
PI: Robert Webster, PhD, Richard A. Schroeder Professor in Mechanical Engineering, Professor of Electrical Engineering
Research project: Surgical Robots

Diego Oliver, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Vanderbilt University
PI: Robert Webster, PhD, Richard A. Schroeder Professor in Mechanical Engineering, Professor of Electrical Engineering
Research project: Soft Surgical Robots

Nathan Hammond, Vanderbilt University
PI: Michael Miga, PhD, Interim Chair of Biomedical Engineering, Harvie Branscomb Professor, Professor Biomedical Engineering
Research project:

2023 VISE Summer Fellows

Rohan Rashingkar, computer science major, Vanderbilt University
PI: Dario Englot, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery
Research project: Deep Learning Classification of Consciousness-Impairing Seizures in Focal Epilepsy

Jiayi Kelly Xu, computer science and mathematics major, Vanderbilt University
PI: Jie Ying Wu, PhD, Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Research project: Development of an Augmented Reality Guidance System for Head and Neck Cancer Resection

Hieu Vu, mechanical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
PI: Xiaoguang Dong, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Research project:Flexible circuits with integrated Bluetooth System-on-a-Chip for wireless sensing and actuation in miniature robotics

Yilan Xu, mechanical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
PI: Xiaoguang Dong, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Research project: Wireless Millimeter-Size Soft Climbing Robots with Omnidirectional Steerability on Tissue Surfaces

Kate Wang, computer science major, Vanderbilt University
PI: Catie Chang, PhD, Sally and Dave Hopkins Faculty Fellow, Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Research project: Evaluating fMRI vigilance signals in relation to age-related cognitive changes

Rebecca Pan, biomedical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
PI: Kenny Tao, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Research project: Correlating Macular Hole Dimensions with Post-Operative Outcomes Using Image-Segmentation and Modeling

Leo Zhang, computer science major, Vanderbilt University
PI: James Weimer, PhD, Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Research project: System for Gathering Real Time Physical Activity Data for Nephrology Research

Nathan Zhang, biomedical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
PI: Michael I. Miga, Harvie Branscomb Professor, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Radiology & Radiological Sciences, and Neurological Surgery
Research project: Review of Training Program for Innovative Engineering Research in Surgery and Intervention

Xander Stabile, biomedical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
PI: Michael I. Miga, Harvie Branscomb Professor, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Radiology & Radiological Sciences, and Neurological Surgery
Research project: Advances in Optical Tracking Systems for Intraoperative Surgery Localization Applications

Seth Hemingway, biomedical and electrical/computer engineering, Vanderbilt University
PI: Nabil Simaan, PhD, Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Research project: Compliant Phantom Model Testing For Ischemic Stroke Treatment

Zhanqi Zhu, cognitive studies, computer science, mathematics, Vanderbilt University
PI: Soheil Kolouri, PhD,  Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Research project: A Surgical Skill Assessment —-using contrastive learning with TLP distance

Cheng Qiu, computer science major, Vanderbilt University
PI: Daniel Moyer, PhD,  Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Research project: Hybrid Graph U-Net for Image Segmentation

Leing Nick Cui, biomedical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
PI: Brett Byram, PhD, Hoy Family Faculty Fellow, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Research project: Using Domain Adaptive Deep Neural Networks to Improve Transthoracic Echocardiography

2022 Summer Fellows

Shannon Alptekin, biomedical engineering major, data science minor, Vanderbilt University
Project: Design and Validation of a Surgical Robotic User Interface
PI: Robert Webster, Richard A. Schroeder Chair in Mechanical Engineering

Andrew Haworth, biomedical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
Project: Controlling Wireless Miniature Soft Climbing Robots on Tissue Surfaces Using Magnetic Actuation
PI: Xiaoguang Dong, Assistant Professor, Department of Engineering

Aarushi Negi, nueruoscience, Vanderbilt University
PI: Dario Englot, Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery

Xander Stabile, biomedical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
PI: Michael I. Miga, Harvie Branscomb Professor, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Radiology & Radiological Sciences, and Neurological Surgery

Madison Veliky, biomedical engineering and computer engineering, Vanderbilt University
PI: Nabil Simaan, Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Stanley Vinet, biomedical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
Project: Optimization of EEG and fMRI Dependence
PI: Catie Chang, Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Kate Wang, computer science major, Vanderbilt University
PI: Catie Chang, Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Yifan William Wu, math and computer science major, Vanderbilt University
PI: Ipek Oguz, Assistant Professor, Computer Science

Zihao Wu, math and computer science major, Vanderbilt University
PI: Soheil Kolouri, Assistant professor, Computer Science

Rui Shirley Xu, biomedical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
PI: Yuankai Kenny Tao, Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering

Hongyi Leo Yang, computer science major, Vanderbilt University
Project: Intraoperative Soft Tissue Modelling via Deep Learning
PI: Jie Ying Wu, Assistant Professor, Computer Science

Amairanny Espinosa, mechanical engineering major, Tennessee State Univeristy
Project: Modeling Retraction for Breast Conserving Surgery Guidance
PI: Michael I. Miga, Harvie Branscomb Professor, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Radiology & Radiological Sciences, and Neurological Surgery

2021 Summer Fellows

Brianna Jacobson, biomedical engineering major, chemistry and computer science minor, Vanderbilt University
Project: Multiscale Neuromodulation Modeling for Vagal Nerve Stimulation and Beyond
PI: Michael I. Miga, Harvie Branscomb Professor, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Radiology & Radiological Sciences, and Neurological Surgery

Bohan Jiang, computer engineering, Vanderbilt University
Project: Repairing transient artifacts in PPG signals acquired during fMRI
PI: Catie Chang, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering

Aarushi Negi, nueruoscience, Vanderbilt University
Project: Using cortico-cortical evoked potentials (CCEPs) to determine seizure-generating regions of the brain in focal epilepsy
PI: Dario Englot, Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery

Rebecca Pan, biomedical engineering, Vanderbilt University
Project: Signal Mechanisms in Acoustic Radiation Force Magnetic Particle Imaging
PI: William Grissom, Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering

Rahul Regula, biomedical engineering, Vanderbilt University
Project: Multi-lobe Lung Modeling for Image-to-Physical Registration in Less Invasive Thoracic Surgery
PI: Michael I. Miga, Harvie Branscomb Professor, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Radiology & Radiological Sciences, and Neurological Surgery

Nishan Shehadeh, computer science, Vanderbilt University
Project: Real-time ultrasonic data quality monitoring in the clinic
PI: Brett Byram, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Madison Veliky, biomedical engineering and computer engineering, Vanderbilt University
Project: Regulatory framework facilitation for first-in-human trials: The Magnetic Flexible Endoscope (MFE)
PI: PI: Keith Obstein, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine

Jiachen Xu, computer science and mathematics, Vanderbilt University
Project: Contrastive Learning for Digital Pathology with Domain Knowledge-infused
PI: Yuankai Huo, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Computer Engineering

Yiqi Nick Zhao, major computer science and math, minoring in electrical engineering, Vanderbilt University
Project: Machine learning techniques for processing and 3D reconstruction of ultrasound images
PI: Jack Noble, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science

Qibang Zhu, computer science and math, Vanderbilt University
Project: Skull stripping from MRI
PI: Ipek Oguz, Assistant Professor of Computer Science

2019 Summer Fellows

Alice Ding, biomedical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
Project: rigid and non-rigid registrations of a targeted ablation zone
Biomedical Modeling Lab (BML)
PI: Michael I. Miga, Harvie Branscomb Professor, Professor of Biomedical Engineering,      Radiology & Radiological Sciences, and Neurological Surgery

Claire Landewee, biomedical engineering major, Saint Louis University
Project: usability and actuation assessment of a novel disposable endoscope: The HydroJet
Science and Technology of Robotics in Medicine (STORM)
PI: Keith Obstein, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine

Viet Than, computer science major, Vanderbilt University
Project: Mosaicking Retinal Images: Segmentation
Medical Image Computing Laboratory (MedICLP)
PI: Ipek Oguz, Assistant Professor of Computer Science

Kevin Derby, biomedical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
Project: In Vivo Motion-corrected Widefield Ophthalmic Imaging using Intraopertive Spectrally Encoded Coherence Tomography and Reflectometry (iSECTR)
Diagnostic Imaging and Image-Guided Interventions (DIIGI) Laboratory
PI: Yuankai Kenny Tao, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Nafis Ahmed, computer engineering major, Vanderbilt Universisty
Project: Automated Detection of Alertness Levels Under Eyes-Closed Conditions
Neuroimaging & Brain Dynamics Lab
PI: Catie Chang, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and  Computer Engineering

Emily Tran, mechanical engineering major, The University of Tulsa
Project: Insertion Device for Minimally Invasive Cochlear Implantation
Medical Engineering and Discovery (MED) Lab
PI: Robert Webster, Richard A. Schroeder Chair in Mechanical Engineering
and
Computer-Assisted Otologic Surgery (CAOS) Lab
PI: Robert Labadie, MD, PhD, Professor of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck  Surgery

Hayden Grobleben, biomedical and electrical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
Project: Image Quality in Transcranial Ultrasound Imaging
Biomedical Elasticity & Acoustic Measurement Lab (BEAM)
PI: Brett Byram, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering

2018 Summer Fellows

Ghassan Alduraibi, electrical engineering and mathematics major, Vanderbilt University
Project: Automatic localization of auditory nerves for patient-specific cochlear implant modeling
Biomedical Image Analysis for Image Guided Interventions (BAGL) Lab
PI: Jack Noble, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science

Davis Crews, biomedical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
Project: ADMIRE: Model-Based Beamformer
Biomedical Elasticity and Acoustic Measurement (BEAM) Laboratory
PI: Brett Byram, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Kevin Derby, biomedical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
Project: Functional Imaging of Lymphatics and Widefield Mosaicing of Lungs Using OCT
Diagnostic Imaging and Image-Guided Interventions (DIIGI) Lab
PI: Yuankai (Kenny) Tao, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Derek Doss, biomedical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
Project: Quantitative Imaging Analysis to Guide Biopsy for Molecular Biomarkers
Biomedical Modeling Lab (BML)
PI: Michael I. Miga, Harvie Branscomb Professor, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Radiology & Radiological Sciences, and Neurological Surgery

Chet Friday, biomedical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
Project: Creation, ablation, and application of vessel phantoms
Biomedical Modeling Lab (BML)
PI: Michael I. Miga, Harvie Branscomb Professor, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Radiology & Radiological Sciences, and Neurological Surgery

Narendran Narasimhan, mechanical engineering major, Duke University
Project: Insertion device for percutaneous Cochlear implantation
Medical Engineering and Discovery (MED) Lab
PI: Robert J. Webster III, Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Otolaryngology, Neurological Surgery, and Urologic Surgery

Chris Pavas, computer science major, Tennessee State University
Project: Sparse Data  Challenge
Biomedical Modeling Lab (BML)
PI: Michael I. Miga, Harvie Branscomb Professor, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Radiology & Radiological Sciences, and Neurological Surgery

Deandra Peoples, electrical engineering major, Tennessee State University
Project: Raman Spectroscopy
Biophotonics Center at Vanderbilt
PI: Anita Mahadevan-Jansen
Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Yunxi Xiong, computer science major, Vanderbilt University
Project: Deep Whole Brain Segmentation Using SLANT Method
Medical-image Analysis and Statistical Interpretation (MASI) Lab
PI: Bennett Landman, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Radiology and Image Science

2017 Summer Fellows

Oscar Benavides, biomedical engineering, Vanderbilt University
Project: Multimodal optical technologies for fluorescence and reflectance ophthalmic imaging in rodent animal models
Diagnostic Imaging and Image-Guided Interventions (DIIGI) Lab
PI: Yuankai (Kenny) Tao, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Margaret Bobo, electrical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
Project: Abdominal Organ Estimations on T2 MRI’s Generated from Fully Connected Networks
Medical-image Analysis and Statistical Interpretation (MASI) Lab
PI: Bennett Landman, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Radiology and Image Science

Derek Doss, biomedical engineering, Vanderbilt University
Project: Development of high accuracy surgical guidance systems for use in biopsy driven medicine
Biomedical Modeling Lab (BML)
PI: Michael I. Miga, Harvie Branscomb Professor, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Radiology & Radiological Sciences, and Neurological Surgery

Sarah Goodale, biomedical engineering, Vanderbilt University
Project: Real-Time Tracking of Breast Soft Tissue Deformation in Phantom Setting with More Induced Deformation Configurations
PI: Michael I. Miga, Harvie Branscomb Professor, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Radiology & Radiological Sciences, and Neurological Surgery

Rebecca Jones, biomedical engineering, Vanderbilt University
Project: Phanton Fabrication for Improving Kidney Stone Sizing and Detection
Biomedical Elasticity and Acoustic Measurement (BEAM) Laboratory
PI: Brett Byram, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Kelsey Leeburg, biomedical and electrical engineering, Vanderbilt University
Project: Compact Optomechanical Designs for Microscope-Integrated and Handheld Multimodality Ophthalmic Imaging Technologies for Clinical Diagnostics and Surgical Guidance
Diagnostic Imaging and Image-Guided Interventions (DIIGI) Lab
PI: Yuankai (Kenny) Tao, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Cindy Lin Liu, biomedical engineerig, Vanderbilt University
Project: Virtual Fixtures in Robotic Transnasal Skull Base Surgery
Medical Engineering and Discovery (MED) Lab
PI: Robert J. Webster III, Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Otolaryngology, Neurological Surgery, and Urologic Surgery

Thomas Massion, computer science, Northwestern University
Project: Computer-assisted Cochlear Implant Programming
Medical Image Processing (MIP) Lab
PI: Benoit Dawant, Professor Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Radiology and Radiological Sciences

2016 Summer Fellows

Nicholas Catalan, electrical and biomedical major, Vanderbilt University
Project: Wireless Communications and Power for Surgical Robots
Medical Engineering and Discovery (MED) Lab
PI: Robert J. Webster III, Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Otolaryngology, Neurological Surgery, and Urologic Surgery

Tianyi (Mason) Chen, biomedical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
Project: Background-Oriented Schlieren (BOS) Imaging for Optically Mapping Focused Ultrasound Pressure Fields
Grissom Laboratory: MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound
PI: William Grissom, Assistant Professor Biomedical Engineering

Gabriel Githiora Waymunyu, computer engineering major, Vanderbilt University
Project: Secure Web Access of Medical Information on Distributed Databases
Medical Image Processing (MIP) Lab
PI: Benoit Dawant, Professor Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Radiology and Radiological Sciences

Kyle Musto, mechanical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
Science and Technology for Robotics in Medicine (STORM) Lab
Director STORM Lab UK and PI: Pietro Valdastri, School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering—University of Leeds; Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Divisions of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition—Vanderbilt University

Eric Noonan, mechanical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
Project: Provide a rapid and easy means to assess obstructions in order to determine optimal placement of operating room cameras
PI: Benoit Dawant, Professor Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Radiology and Radiological Sciences

Tony Russo, biomedical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
Biomedical Elasticity and Acoustic Measurement (BEAM) Laboratory
PI: Brett Byram, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Douglas Manogue, biomedical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
Project: Provide a rapid and easy means to assess obstructions in order to determine optimal placement of operating room cameras
PI: Benoit Dawant, Professor Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Radiology and Radiological Sciences

Derek Doss, biomedical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
Project: Using an Android App to Model Different Swab Techniques in Open Hepatic Registration
Biomedical Modeling Lab (BML)
PI: Michael I. Miga, Harvie Branscomb Professor, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Radiology & Radiological Sciences, and Neurological Surgery

Sarah Goodale, biomedical engineering major, Vanderbilt University
Project: Breast Tissue Deformation Analysis in Preoperative and Simulated Intraoperative Patient States
Biomedical Modeling Lab (BML)
PI: Michael I. Miga, Harvie Branscomb Professor, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Radiology & Radiological Sciences, and Neurological Surgery