Srutartha Bose, ME

 

I am a master’s student in Biomedical Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology, with an immense drive for research. Previously, I have researched on the development of novel amplification techniques to enable highly sensitive detection of proteins, under the supervision of Dr. Abhinav Bhushan. Currently, I am a part of Dr. Kenneth Tichauer's ADEPT team in the state-of-the-art Medical Imaging Research Centre (MIRC) at IIT, Chicago. Recently, I have taken up a special project under his supervision. As a part of the ADEPT team, I am to play significant roles in tissue sample handling along with the optimization of staining and rinsing protocols. To learn more about my research please click here. Till date, I have also been a teaching assistant as a part-time employee over the last 3 semesters, under the supervision of Dr. Promila Dhar, for the Bio-fluids laboratory course and the course Introduction to BME. As a TA, my major roles include helping students perform experiments, grade their theoretical and practical performances and repair apparatuses as needed along the way.

 

It is of utmost importance for me to have a balance between gaining knowledge and applying it. Not only do I love to learn, but I also think it is necessary to apply the knowledge gained. I have successfully completed several internships, in industrial as well as laboratory settings. My undergraduate experiences contain internships from prestigious hospitals such as the Malar Fortis Hospital in Chennai and the Lokamanya Tilak Municipal Govt. Hospital in Mumbai, along with the invaluable BME internship in Siemens Healthineers at Chennai. These experiences helped me gain a deeper insight into the Medical Imaging and Medical Devices front. Till that point of my career, I was not fully aware of the scope of engineering at a smaller level, i.e. cellular/molecular level. It led me to pursue ME in Biomedical Engineering at IIT, Chicago, which further drove me to work in Dr. Kalipada Pahan's lab as a summer research intern. The Pahan Lab, that specializes in studying various neurological pathways underlying Alzheimer's Disease, fit me like a glove. Given that I am personally passionate about Alzheimer's Disease, this summer internship of 3 months was an invaluable opportunity that helped me gain hands-on laboratory skills such as cell culturing, running different types of PCR and gel electrophoreses and not to forget, genotyping.  Experiencing the wet-lab environment made me realize that this is where I belong. Understanding what exists in the body and utilizing that information to find cures or to improve and optimize existing biotechnologies is my new found passion. And my special project in the ADEPT team specifically bolsters that drive. 

 

Previously, I have carried out projects on a very versatile range of topics over the span of the last 6 years. To specify a few, I worked on the non-invasive diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, development of an optimal ocular drug delivery system and I also performed prototyping of a special type of a home-bioreactor that produces hydrolyzed milk for daily purpose. As it is evident, I have had a wide range of interests, the bottom line being that I am very passionate about creating innovative solutions to overcome challenges that will help improve public health. 

 

On my time off though, I like to replenish myself with painting or cooking (mostly baking). And if it is not too cold outside, I love to try out different food joints. Also, it is my new found hobby to help the helpless (that is my life motto) via personal counseling. Always trying to create a positive impact!