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Giada Gerboni: The incredible potential of flexible, soft robots

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Ever heard of “soft robotics”? Neither had we! Check out biomedical engineer Giada Gerboni discussing how soft robotics play a critical role in surgery, medicine and our daily lives.

When we think of robots, we often think of devices that have been human-built for speed and precision but what about their flexibility? Giada Gerboni currently works at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University. Giada researches the design of medical devices and robotics surgery and discusses how soft robotics have the potential to play a critical role in our livesGiada Gerboni on the TED Talk stage

 

 

Q&A WITH ENGHERO: Caroline Via

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Caroline Via is an engineer working in the medical device industry. Her work can actually save lives! Carloine was undecided in high school, but fortunately, found her way to Queen’s where they have a common first year.  I got to try out a little bit of each engineering discipline before I had to choose one. She believes “We need new perspectives on old problems and new perspectives on new problems.” 

1. What’s one thing you wish you knew about engineering back when you were in high school?

I wish that I knew that it’s not all math or science. There is actually a ton of teamwork, communication, and problem-solving involved, and it is quite a social profession. Most of my time is spent brainstorming, planning, writing, researching, etc. The math and science are just one aspect, and the rest is quite inventive.

2. What’s your proudest accomplishment as an engineer?

Last year I received my Master’s of Biomedical Engineering from Boston University. It was definitely a highlight of my career, and I am very grateful to have completed my education in a city that I now call home!

3. Tell me about a time in your career when your work has been about discovery or curiosity?

My Master’s project involved being in an operating room with a surgeon for a semester.  We were to observe, ask questions, learn, and then come up with an idea for a medical device to improve. We didn’t have any medical experience, surgical experience, and the surgeons were told not to push us towards something that they wanted. It was a totally open-ended design process, and it sparked some really cool ideas – lots of discovery, curiosity, and creativity.  For me, it was a device that would potentially lower the complication rate of a fairly common surgery, without creating a high cost. It was amazing how much you can learn going into a new environment.

4. What are you doing these days?

I’m a Quality Engineer for Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Inc. in Boston. I’m currently working on a project to open a new manufacturing facility in Shanghai, China. I’m excited about it because it’s something that is quite different from what my Master’s was focused on, yet still in the medical world, and I love the diversity that engineering allows you.

5. Do you feel your work contributes to society? How so?

Absolutely! I’m in the medical device industry – our products literally save lives! Without engineers, there wouldn’t be advancements or innovations in the healthcare system. People rely on engineers to keep them alive, and that is a huge task.

6. Why do we need more female engineers?

We need new perspectives on old problems and new perspectives on new problems. 

My Master’s supervisor would quote Grace Hopper and say “The most dangerous phrase in the language is: it’s always been done that way”. It’s a quote meant to spark innovation, but I like to think it applies to diversity as well. Just because engineering is traditionally a male-dominated profession, it doesn’t mean it should stay that way!

7. Do you have any hobbies/passions that give you a unique perspective in engineering?

My hobbies don’t always inspire my perspective on engineering, but engineering has certainly shaped my hobbies. Skills that I’ve learned for work have found their way into my hobbies.

8. When you were becoming an engineer, were you nervous and stressed out about all the math and science? What made you push through and become an engineer? Were you sure that you wanted to become an engineer when you were in gr12?

I was very undecided in high school, but fortunately, I went to Queen’s where we have a common first year.  I got to try out a little bit of each engineering discipline before I had to choose one. 

I’m still not sure if I want to be an engineer forever, but the best part of engineering is that you learn how to solve multifaceted problems, and that can be applied almost anywhere.  Engineering is also a very diverse area, you can have tons of engineering jobs that are totally different from each other. Everything that I’ve learned throughout my engineering education is applicable to many other fields, and that is what I have taken from it the most.  

9. Tell us about a cool project you’ve worked on.

I worked on a non-invasive device for head stabilization during pediatric neurosurgery. Which is a long-winded way of saying I worked on making a special clamp to hold babies or kids heads in place during surgery. This was such an interesting project, and I really got test my skills in the real world. Impacting young kids lives is something that I never realized I could do, and now I have this project to remember whenever the going gets tough.

University of Waterloo Hydro One – Gr. 10/11 Conference

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This is a conference designed for young women in grades 10/11 to explore engineering and gain a better understanding of the course pathway that is needed in high school. Engineering is an exciting field and too many women don’t realize they want to pursue this career path until after grade 12. Don’t wait this long to discover what engineering is all about, what courses you need to take, the different types of engineers there are, meet current female engineers from industry, and try out hands-on activities related to coding, tech, math, and physics. Find out how to attend the next conference!

By the end of this one-day conference, you will have a clear understanding of the engineering field, what engineers do, and how to pursue this career!

Top 5 Engineering Movies

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These are my Top 5 Movies that can inspire the next generation of Engineers. To make this list, each selection had to pass the Bechdel Test, with exception to any documentaries. This means that each film has to have at least two women hold a conversation about something other than a man.

The Mars Generation

This Netflix documentary is about the future of space exploration, and the kids that are going to make it happen. Following a group of teenagers at space camp and featuring interviews with many famous engineers like Bill Nye, Elon Musk and Neil Degrasse Tyson, this doc gives a real look into the race to Mars. Just think: one day, that could be you

Hidden Figures

This Best Picture Oscar-nominated film is based on the true story of three female African American NASA engineers: Katherine Goble Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. It is not only a fantastic film but it is an important and amazing story of resilience and intelligence in a time of major setbacks for civil and women’s rights. Starring Octavia Spencer, Taraji P. Hensen and Janelle Monáe, this is one of the best films a future engineer could ever hope to see.

The Imitation Game

This is another Oscar-nominated LGBTQ+ film starring Kiera Knightley and Benedict Cumberbatch, based on the true story of WWII mathematician Alan Turing, who cracked the German code that enabled the allies to win the war. Kiera Knightley plays Joan Clarke, a Cambridge grad who helps Turing in secret against her parent’s wishes, and who sacrifices a future to marry Alan and aide in hiding his sexuality from a world who wouldn’t accept him. This is a heart wrenching, but brave story of real innovators.

WALL-E

This is an animated movie about a robot named WALL-E who’s the last robot left functioning on futuristic planet Earth, which has been vacated by all humans due to pollution. He stumbles upon a seed growing one day and decides to try to save it from dying by bringing it into space with his new companion EVE, where all the humans live on massive spaceships. This is an adorable movie about the risks of human consumption, fighting for your future, and above all: love. If you want a movie that isn’t too heavy in math or science for the younger ones but might peak their interest in building things, this is the perfect pick. This is also a special exception to the Bechdel Test rule, since neither of the two robot main characters has a sex or gender, and mostly communicate in only body language.

The Martian

Based on Andy Weir’s novel of the same name, The Martian stars Matt Damon as Mark Watney, an astronaut accidentally left on Mars and features the following rescue mission that ensues. As Mark tries to survive alone, his counterparts down on Earth and in the space station have to problem solve and work with their international relations to bring him home. This film is hilarious, diverse, and packed with engineering concepts.

Ololade Sanusi

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Q&A WITH engHERO: Ololade Sanusi

Ololade Sanusi is a current PhD candidate in Electrical Engineering at UOIT. She previously completed a Bachelor of Engineering in Aerospace Engineering from Carleton University and her area of research is in ‘Novel Antenna and Integration Technologies for Embedded Wireless Sensors”. Her biggest passion is to continue motivating and encouraging girls to venture and carve a niche for themselves in various branches of engineering.

What made you decide that you wanted to be an engineer?

It all started with being fascinated with the airplanes that flew past my house as a child. I always wondered about the persons that were part of the design and assembly of flying machines.

As I grew up, I began to observe more engineering feats. Engineers were part of designing skyscrapers, they were involved in medicine and the list goes on. When it was time to decide on what career to pick, engineering automatically became my choice.

Which branch of engineering is your major? How did you decide on that specialty?

I now major in Electrical Engineering at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), Radio Frequency and Microwave Engineering to be specific. I did not always know I would end up in this field, a series of events got me here. During my undergraduate degree (Aerospace Engineering), I enrolled in two courses that sparked my interest in antenna design and wireless communication. Engineering has come a long way.

For instance, many homes used rotary dial telephones for communication, now, we have thin stylish smartphones that can do more than just call and send messages. The world of electrical engineering has paved the way for smarter and faster devices with applications in telecommunications, medicine, defense and sensing.

What do you plan to do with your engineering degree?

Good question! I plan to work in the Research and Development industry and teach part-time, this way I can make a significant contribution to the advancement of adaptive antenna technology.
Although I don’t know what the future holds, I hope and strive to be a solution in whatever I partake in.

What advice would you give to someone who’s considering engineering but doesn’t know if it’s right for them?

I believe the image an average person has of an engineer is narrow. Engineering is vast and engineers can be found in different settings from Pixar Animation Studios to Bombardier Inc. So, I would start by asking a few questions:

Why did you consider engineering in the first place?

Have YOU done your research on engineering and its different branches?

Why do you think engineering might be wrong for you?

If you were to design something that would make your home (community, town or earth) more livable, what would it be?

If you have answers to all of these questions, I know you can determine whether or not engineering is right for you. My number one advice is to do YOUR research. Secondly, evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. And lastly, have a genuine reason for pursuing engineering, it doesn’t have to be groundbreaking.

In your opinion, how do you feel about the lack of women in engineering? What are some ways you have positively contributed to inspiring more women in engineering?

Firstly, I do not agree there is a lack of women in engineering. However, I would say women are underrepresented and this is sad.

During my undergraduate years, I experienced the issues gender gap creates for women in engineering. There were times of isolation and loneliness that sometimes prevented me from participating in activities. My experience is not unique. After chatting with various females, I realised many had notions that even prevented them from considering engineering as a career.

Nonetheless, the number of initiatives that promote and inspire more women in engineering is growing. I have been fortunate to be a part of some of these initiatives. In the year 2017, I was selected as a John Evans Champion by the Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation. From award reception, I have been presenting to junior-high and high-school audiences in a bid to promote engineering as a career for women. I also serve as a mentor to undergraduate engineering students through the Women in Engineering Peer Mentorship program at UOIT. I find these experiences rewarding and eye-opening.

They give me opportunities to share my experiences – failures and successes – as a source of encouragement for women considering engineering and those in undergraduate programs.

What are you up to this summer?

This summer I have been focused on my research. I am working on the design of flexible antennas for wireless sensor applications. Apart from research, I am exploring Ontario and taking French classes at a local college.

Ayah Bdeir: Building blocks that blink, beep and teach

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Procrastinating? We’ve got just the thing! The YTT have pulled together a series of TED Talks that they LOVE. Grab some popcorn and get comfy, because you’re about to get seriously inspired by these amazing engineering projects.

Ayah Bdeir is an engineer and artists who developed littleBits – a toy that allows you to program and build electronic circuits! Ayah makes the comparison that what Lego is to concrete blocks, littleBits is to transistors. littleBits are still going strong today, with new generations of bits, interfaces with other programs like Minecraft, and an app with a community of builders.