Research + Resume
SHAPE Lab // Stanford University
Advisor: Sean Follmer, August 2021 – Present
PhD candidate using mechatronics to develop reconfigurable surfaces and study human-computer interaction.
Reconfigurable Surface Display
Designing and manufacturing network of robots for driving a reconfigurable, curved surface formed of elastic grid shells. Distributed control of many individual actuators behaving in tandem to form curved surfaces. Unpublished. Read more about this project.
Conveying Shape Characteristics of Graphs to Blind Users
Developed interactive tactile graphic with audio feedback using Unity for comparison with novel 1-DOF haptic device for conveying shape of graphs to blind or visually impaired users. Read more about this project.
Danyang Fan, Alexa Fay Siu, Wing-Sum Adrienne Law, Raymond Ruihong Zhen, Sile O’Modhrain, and Sean Follmer. 2022. Slide-Tone and Tilt-Tone: 1-DOF Haptic Techniques for Conveying Shape Characteristics of Graphs to Blind Users. In CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI ‘22). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, Article 477, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1145/3491102.3517790
Previous Research
Chaudhuri Lab // Stanford University
Advisor: Ovijit Chaudhuri, January 2019 – June 2020
Graduate researcher studying mechanics of breast cancer and endometrial cell migration. Applied engineering analyses to understanding force generation by migrating cells in viscoelastic & plastic biomaterials. Fabricating and mechanically characterized biomaterials.
Steele Lab // University of Washington
Advisor: Kat Steele, June 2017 – September 2017
REU. Developed models and simulated gait for children with cerebral palsy using inverse kinematics and inverse dynamics.
Education
Stanford University
Fall 2018 - Present
PhD candidate in mechanical engineering (GPA 3.95).
Relevant Courses:
- Mechatronics
- ME218A Project: https://me218laser.weebly.com/
- ME218B Project: https://me218powerpuff.weebly.com/
- Elasticity & Plasticity
- Lagrangian Mechanics
Columbia University
Fall 2014 - Spring 2018
Graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in mechanical engineering. (GPA 3.95).
Relevant Courses:
- Modeling & ID of Dynamic Systems
- Finite Element Analysis
Skills
| Programming | Mechatronics | Software |
|---|---|---|
| C, C++ | Microcontroller subsystems | Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) |
| Python | Event-driven programming | Solidworks, PTC Creo, Fusion 360, AutoCAD |
| MATLAB | Circuits | Microsoft Office |
| HTML, CSS, JavaScript |
Other Experience
BioJam
Winter 2020 - Winter 2021
Developed fundraising strategy for BioJam, a fledgeling non-profit organization. Applied to grants and fostered sponsorship relationships to fund creative STEM education in local, underserved communities.
Introductory Biology Teaching Assistant
September 2017 – May 2018
Planned and led weekly 2 hour discussion sections including quizzes and problem solving activities for Introductory Biology at Columbia University.
Columbia University Engineers Without Borders
Fall 2014 - Spring 2018
Grant writer and Co-President focused on strengthening relationships with alumni, mentor orgs, and sponsors
Honors
Stanford Graduate Fellowship
Fall 2018 - Present
“SGF supports exceptional incoming and continuing doctoral students” – from webpage
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Fall 2018 - Fall 2022
“NSF GRFP recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students” – from webpage