WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?

My decision to come to SFU for graduate studies stems from my decision to pursue biomedical engineering for my undergraduate degree. With the motivation in desiring to build medical devices that would allow for effective and efficient health care systems along with the challenge of an honours only program, I decided to come to SFU. Through a series of events, I worked for a start-up company that my undergraduate thesis supervisor had founded which segued into the Master of Applied Science program at SFU.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RESEARCH OR YOUR PROGRAM TO A FAMILY MEMBER?

Biomedical engineering covers a broad range from assistive devices used for rehabilitation to diagnostic devices used to identify cancer. Biomarkers are measurable indicators of health; the ability to measure biomarkers in blood without taking samples would readily reduce wait times in providing immediate results. Blood vessels on the surface of the eye, called the bulbar conjunctiva, is an accessible site for a light-based method of measuring biomarkers. However, in targeting these vessels, the amount of light used and the length in measurement time becomes severely limited. Therefore, my thesis project aims to create a light acquisition system to maximize the amount of scattered light that can be potentially collected in considering the environmental constraints.

WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYING ABOUT YOUR STUDIES/RESEARCH AT SFU?

I have thoroughly enjoyed my courses in learning about the breadth and depth of research that is occurring in various fields such as biophotonics, deep learning and 3D printing. It is exciting to see the potential in continuing those areas of research and how it can impact society. Through the Invention to Innovation (i2I) program, I’ve also had the opportunity to meet individuals who are passionate about bringing their research from the lab into start-ups in creating more efficient solar panels, smart ureteral stents or safer hydrogenation reactors.

HAVE YOU BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF ANY MAJOR OR DONOR-FUNDED AWARDS? IF SO, PLEASE TELL US WHICH ONES AND A LITTLE ABOUT HOW THE AWARDS HAVE IMPACTED YOUR STUDIES AND/OR RESEARCH.

I am also the recipient of the Dean’s Graduate Fellowship and BC Graduate Scholarship (BCGS) in 2019-2020. The awards allow me to be able to pursue my studies and to focus on my research without fear of having a lack of funding.

Contact: katie_tse@sfu.ca