CV
Education:
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Candidate
Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC.
Planned date of graduation: May 2025
Master of Science (M.S.)
Biomedical Engineering, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS.
Date of Graduation: July 2019
4.0 final cumulative GPA
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Biomedical Engineering, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS.
Date of Graduation: May 2016
3.73 final cumulative GPA, graduated Magna cum laude
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS.
Date of Graduation: May 2016
3.73 final cumulative GPA, graduated Magna cum laude
Publications: (peer reviewed)
[1] Gu Y, Chen C, Mao Z, Bachman H, Becker RA, Rufo J, Wang Z, Zhang P, Mai J, Yang S, Zhang J, Zhao S, Ouyang Y, Wong David TW, Sadovsky Y, Huang TJ. “Acoustofluidic centrifuge for nanoparticle enrichment and separation”. Science Advances. 2020.
[2] Dai B, Zhang L, Zhao C, Bachman H, Becker RA, Mai J, Jiao Z, Li W, Zheng L, Wan X, Huang TJ, Zhuang S, Zhang D. “Microfluidic-assisted 3D-printed eye (MAP-eye): a biomimetic ommatidium array with direct full-colour 3D to 2D panoramic imaging and position tracking”. Nature Communications. 2020. (Submitted, pending review)
[3] Becker RA, Cluff K. “Microwave Archimedean Spiral Resonator Detection of Peripheral Limb Deep Arterial Hemodynamics: A Multi-Site Validation Study”. Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology. 2019. (Submitted, pending review)
[4] Becker RA, Rogers J, Cluff K. “Skin Patch RF Resonator for Detection of Pulsatile Blood Volume Shifts”. IEEE Transactions of Biomedical Engineering. 2019. (Submitted, pending review)
[5] Becker RA, Duraisamy N, Mehraein H, Farhoud H, Collins T, Casale GP, Pipinos II, Subbiah J, Cluff K. “Optical probing of gastrocnemius in patients with peripheral artery disease characterizes myopathic biochemical alterations and correlates with stage of disease”. Physiological Reports 2017:5:e13161
[6] Becker RA, Cluff K, Duraisamy N, Casale GP, Pipinos II. "Analysis of Ischemic Muscle in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease using X-Ray Spectroscopy". Journal of Surgical Research 2017:220:79-87.
[7] Cluff K, Becker RA, Jayakumar B, Han K, Condon E, Dudley K, Szatkowski G, Pipinos II, Amick RZ, Patterson J. "Passive Wearable Skin Patch Sensor Measures Limb Hemodynamics Based on Electromagnetic Resonance". IEEE Transactions of Biomedical Engineering. 2017:99
[8] Griffith J, Cluff K, Eckerman B, Aldrich J, Becker RA, Moore-Jansen P, Patterson J. “Non-invasive Electromagnetic Skin Patch Sensor to Measure Intracranial Fluid-Volume Shifts”. Sensors. 2018.
[9] Becker RA, Loflin B, Bhandari S, Villafana-Ibarra B, Griffith J, Cluff K. “Passive RF resonator for pulsatile blood flow monitoring”. 2018. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. July 17-21. Honolulu, HI.
[10] Villafana-Ibarra B, Bhandari S, Becker RA, Cluff K. (2018). “Spiral Resonators for Objective Screening of Cutaneous Melanoma”. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. July 17-21. Honolulu, HI.
[11] Griffith JL, Eckerman BD, Loflin B, Becker RA, Martin BA, Cluff K. 2018. Non-Invasive Detection of Intracranial Pressure Changes by a Novel Radio Frequency Resonant Skin Patch Sensor”. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. July 17-21. Honolulu, HI.
[12] Becker RA, RF resonant skin patch sensor for peripheral limb hemodynamics. Wichita State University. 2019.
Scientific presentations/abstracts:
[1] Howard K, Carson L, Becker R, Mehraein H, Cluff K. "Optical Probing of Muscle Damage in Peripheral Artery Disease Hind Limb Ischemia Murine Model", Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), Tampa, FL. Oct 2015.
[2] Carson L, Howard K, Becker R, Mehraein H, Cluff K. "Muscle Damage in Hind Limb Ischemia Murine Model of PAD", Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum (URCAF) .Wichita, KS. April, 2015. (1st place research poster)
[3] Howard K, Mehraein H, Becker R, Cluff K. "Fourier Transform Infrared Spectral Biomarker of Muscle Degeneration". Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum (URCAF) poster presentations. Wichita, KS. April 2015. (2nd place research poster)
[4] Becker R, Duraisamy N, Cluff K. "Analysis of Elemental Concentrations in Ischemic Muscle of Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease, Using Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy". 23rd Annual KU Medical School Research Forum. Wichita, KS. April 2015.
[5] Rogers J, Becker R, Jayakumar B, Patterson J, Cluff K. Electro-magnetic plethysmography smart-skin for point-of-care screening of claudication. Biomedical Engineering Society - Frontiers in Medical Devices; Washington, DC (6th Place Research Poster). May 2016.
[6] Becker R, Cluff K. "Identification of important intracellular to extracellular chemical variations of inhibitory cell function in muscle cell pathology". Kansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence, Overland Park, KS. Jan 2016
[7] Becker R, Cluff K. "Identification of important intracellular to extracellular chemical variations of inhibitory cell function in muscle cell pathology". National IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence. Washington D.C. June 2016
[8] Eckerman B, Griffith J, Aldrich J, Becker R, Richardson A, Cluff K. Non-invasive Method for Intracranial Fluid Volume Shift Detection in a Microgravity Environment. American Society for Gravitational and Space Research (ASGSR); Seattle, WA. Oct 2017.
[9] Griffith J, Eckerman B, Becker R, Richardson A, Cluff K. Non-invasive Method for Monitoring Microgravity Induced Bio-fluid shifts in Lower Limbs. American Society for Gravitational and Space Research (ASGSR); Seattle, WA. Oct 2017.
[10] Eckerman B, Griffith J, Becker R, Cluff K. Non-invasive Skin Patch Sensor to Detect Lower-Leg Fluid Volume Shift after Simulated Microgravity. Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Conference; Phoenix, AZ. Oct 2017.
[11] Griffith J, Eckerman B, Aldrich J, Becker R, Amick R, Patterson J, Cluff K. Detection Of Intracranial Fluid Volume Shifts by a Non-invasive Electromagnetic Skin Patch Sensor. Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES); Phoenix, AZ. Oct 2017.
[12] Alruwaili F, Cluff K, Griffith J, Becker R. 2018. “Heart-Ventricular Blood Volume Assessment Using Non-Invasive Skin Patch Sensor”. Kansas Undergraduate research day at the Capital. Feb 14 2018. Topeka, KS
[13] Eckerman B, Griffith J, Aldrich J, Becker R, Cluff K. “Electromagnetic resonant sensor patch for detection of fluid volume shifts within intracranial space”. Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum (URCAF). Apr 4. Wichita, KS (2nd place research poster)
[14] Roger J, Becker R, Jayakumar B, Patterson J, Cluff K. 2016. “Biological Model Study Using Electromagnetic Screening Techniques for Peripheral Artery Disease”. University of Kansas School of Medicine-24th Annual Research Forum. Apr 21. Wichita, KS (1st place research poster)
Invited Guest Speaker:
[1] Cluff K, Becker R, Bhandari S. 2018. Science Podcast interview with Shane Mauss. Here We Are Podcast – Episode 160. Wichita, KS. Apr 13.
(Link: http://www.herewearepodcast.com/episode/160/biome)
News and Press releases:
[1] Forbes: Red Bull Joins A Growing List Of Corporate Companies Investing In Young Entrepreneurs.
[2] CGTN: Techcrunch Disrupt SF 2018: More Chinese tech firms take part
(Link: https://america.cgtn.com/2018/09/07/techcrunch-disrupt-sf-2018-more-chinese-tech-firms-take-part_
[3] IEEE: IEEE ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT TECH CRUNCH DISRUPT 2018
(Link: https://entrepreneurship.ieee.org/2018_09_17_ieee-entrepreneurship-tech-crunch-disrupt-2018/)
[4] TheHealthcareBlog: THCB Spotlights: CY5
(Link: http://thehealthcareblog.com/blog/2018/10/03/thcb-spotlights-cy5/)
[5] Wichita Business Journal: Wichita State Students Launch Health Care Technology Startup
(Link: https://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/news/2018/08/22/wichita-state-students-launch-health-care.html)
[6] Fahrenheit 212: Giving Wings to Collegiate Entrepreneurs
(Link: https://www.fahrenheit-212.com/boiling-point/giving-wings-to-collegiate-entrepreneurs)
[7] Wichita State University: WSU Students invent temporary biometric tracking tattoo
[8] Wichita State University: WSU student entrepreneurs chosen for Red Bull Innovation Summit
(Link: https://www.wichita.edu/about/wsunews-releases/2018/08-aug/Cyfive_release.php)
Work Experience:
Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) in Dr. Kim Cluff’s BIoME Lab (2017 – Present) – Wichita State University
Development of a skin patch sensor for detecting blood flow quality and abnormalities
Design and student training of particle image velocimetry (PIV) labs for biofluid mechanics classes
Development of an electromagnetic sensor for assessing intracranial health
Preparation and presentation of lecture material for bio-computational modeling, bioinstrumentation, biomedical imaging and biofluid mechanics classes
Assisted in writing funded grants
Development of an early screening method for melanoma detection via RF resonator sensors
Synthesis of various tissue phantoms (brain, skin, blood) for specific absorption rate (SAR) validation studies
FPGA and antenna design for development of a miniaturized vector network analyzer (VNA)
Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA)
TA for the following classes:
BME 480: Bioinstrumentation (Spring 2018)
BME 738: Biomedical Imaging (Fall 2017 and Spring 2019)
BME 462: Intro to Biofluids (Fall 2017)
BME 735: Biocomputational Modeling (Spring 2017 and Fall 2018)
Guest lecturer and substitute lecturer
Lab instructor:
Developed Ultrasound imaging lab protocol and guided lab groups with hands on learning in ultrasound imaging.
Developed Hemoflow biofluids lab protocol and guided lab groups with hands on learning in fluids.
Undergraduate Research Assistant in Dr. Kim Cluff’s BIoME Lab (2014 – 2017) – Wichita State University
Hindlimb ischemia murine model for peripheral artery disease modeling – obtained muscle biopsies from ischemic murine muscle to quantitatively analyze cellular level damage using Raman micro-spectroscopy.
Optimization of nanoparticle-embedded scaffolds to improve neural cell remyelination through Raman micro-spectroscopy
Ultrasound operation – train fellow researchers and students on the instrument and conduct labs for a biomedical imaging course
Disposable heart screening patch - Signal processing of electrocardiogram (ECG) waveforms to detect abnormal heart arrhythmias
Scanning electron microscopy of myofiber ultrastructure to quantitatively analyze damage to ischemic muscle.
Integrating open circuit resonant sensors into garments for monitoring physiological parameters (NASA EPSCoR)
SCHOLARSHIPS/AWARDS:
[1] IEEE N3XT Star award
[2] Red Bull Launch Institute: Grand Prize Recipient
[3] TechCrunch Disrupt SF: 3-day Startup Alley special guest
[4] $10,000. Kansas City Entrepreneurship Challenge 2nd place
[5] $1,000. Shocker New Venture Competition 4th place
[6] $1,000. Dwane and Velma Wallace 2018 Graduate Student Research Award
[7] WSU Ventures Innovation Awards – Bright Future Award
[8] $2,500. John A. See Innovation Grant: Design for integrated biofeedback clothing. 1/2018.
[9] $5,200. NIH K-INBRE Summer/Semester Scholar Award: Identify important intracellular to extracellular chemical variations which may inhibit cell function in muscle cell pathology. NIH K-INBRE. 9/2015 - 5/2016.
[10] Department of Defense Encountering Innovation Finalist
SERVICE/OUTREACH:
Mentoring- Work with North High School students in the biomedical sciences program on their senior design projects, providing experience in engineering design and assisting in prototype fabrication and preparation of final presentations
Including undergraduate and high school students in my research – this includes shadowing, assistance in conducting studies, and assistance in writing manuscripts and grants
Lab tour coordinator (2014-present) – provide lab tours to visiting groups (students, business and public events)
Engineering summer camp leader (2015-present) – design and conduct hands-on activities in the BIoME lab with high school students to increase STEM awareness and provide hands-on experience in a biomedical imaging lab
Upward Bounds (2014-present) – Work with underrepresented minority students from low income families to provide hands-on experience in a biomedical imaging lab, increase STEM awareness and provide mentoring for students seeking higher education