Sophia Katramadakis is a current fourth year Biomedical Engineering student at UBC who was working with Dr. Peter Cripton as a part of the SBME Synergy Undergraduate Summer Research Program. We caught up with Sophia to learn more about her experience in the program.
Why did you apply to the Synergy program?
I applied to the Synergy program because I was eager to enhance my research experience and further my academic career. I had the opportunity to work in Dr. Peter Cripton’s lab last summer and it was an amazing experience that motivated me to further immerse myself in research. The exposure to research that I have gained over the last 4 months has not only shaped my approach to tackling new problems but has solidified my commitment to pursue a path in academia.
What is your research project?
My research project focuses on developing a biofidelic omnidirectional surrogate cervical spine in order to advance the testing and evaluation of safety devices by accurately replicating human neck biomechanics. The ultimate goal is to design a surrogate that not only behaves like a human neck under mechanical testing but also provides insights into the injury mechanisms of the cervical spine. This could lead to improvements in safety equipment design, reducing the risk of serious injuries in sports and transportation.
What are some of the activities that you are doing in the lab?
One of the main highlights from this summer was the opportunity I had to mentor one of our lab’s Seed2STEM students. Together, we tackled unique design challenges and conducted multiple experiments on the surrogate model. This experience has not only enhanced my research and leadership skills but has also sparked an interest in teaching and knowledge sharing.
What are some accomplishments during your time in the program?
During my time in the Synergy program, I’ve achieved several key milestones that have advanced my research skills. One major accomplishment was learning how to use OpenSim. This software allowed me to simulate various neck muscles and ligaments and analyze their effect on the head/neck kinematics. Overall, the findings from these simulations influenced various aspects of my surrogate neck design.
Another significant achievement was learning to operate the UBC Spine Machine along with the OptiTrack system, which are essential tools for testing and evaluating the mechanical properties of the surrogate spine models. This process involved extensive troubleshooting and adaptation, making it very rewarding when I finally conducted successful tests.
What are your future career goals?
Looking ahead, my career aspirations are rooted in the field of biomechanics. I am passionate about advancing my knowledge and plan to pursue graduate studies in this area. My ultimate dream is to become a professor and perhaps one day lead my own research lab. Every morning, the excitement I feel about going to work reaffirms that I am on the right path. By continuing in academia, I hope to one day ignite the same passion for research in future students, guiding them as they explore the complexities of biomechanics.
What was the most memorable moment for you in this program?
One of the most memorable moments from the Synergy program was presenting my research poster at the Synergy Research Day. It was a great experience to showcase my work to a diverse audience of students and staff from the School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME). The wide range of insightful feedback and questions I received highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of biomedical engineering. It was interesting to see how people from different backgrounds can come together to solve one problem, highlighting the need for collaboration and diversity in research.
Watch Sophia guide you through a day in her life at the Cripton lab here!
