Members
Past Members Heading link
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Graduate Students
Andrea Scarpellini • MS • ascarp5@uic.edu
“I am currently pursuing a double degree program in biomedical engineering with Politecnico di Milano and the University of Illinois at Chicago. In the WTSE lab, my research is centered around the development of a wireless intra-oral wearable device for tongue rehabilitation and breath monitoring.”
Veronica Bratland • MS • vgonza42@uic.edu
“I am a biomedical engineering graduate student working towards my master’s degree in the WTSE lab. My thesis is focused on the advancement of a discreet wireless intra-oral wearable device that allows for continuous control of a cursor via the swipe of the tongue, and to quantify the tongue’s motion characteristics.”
Kyle Coda • MS • coda2@uic.edu
“I am an MS student at the WTSE lab, and I started my MS program in Fall 2021. I am working on developing a versatile wearable device that will be used to study tongue motion, for application in clinical rehabilitation.”
Nicholas Marjanovic • PhD Candidate • nmarja2@uic.edu
“Currently, I am working and supervising in all Tongue Venture projects, and various other projects in the lab. I am a full-time graduate student working towards my Doctoral degree in Bioengineering. My interests include developing medical devices and systems that incorporate circuit design and software system integration. Also working alongside doctors in Urology to innovate various designs and ideas that are presented.”
Davide Bondavalli, • MS • Graduate 2021 • dbonda3@uic.edu
“I’ve been working in the WTSE lab as part of a double degree program between UIC and Politecnico di Milano. For my master thesis I developed the Tongue Trackpad, an HID capacitive trackpad which allows to control a digital interface through tongue interaction.”
Giulia Soresini • MS • Graduate 2020 • giulia.soresini@gmail.com
” I obtained my BS in Biomedical Engineering at Politecnico di Milano (Italy) in July 2018. As part of a Joint Program between Politecnico di Milano and UIC, I joined the WTSE Laboratory, focusing on proptotyping and developing innovative wearable technology. I worked in collaboration with the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab. ”
Davide Lacca • MS • Graduate 2020 • dlacca2@uic.edu
” I developed my MS thesis at WTSE lab while I was enrolled in the Joint Program between Politecnico di Milano (Italy) and UIC. My project was focused on creating a dynamic 3D model of the tongue, starting from static MR images. The model is able to reproduce correct tongue’s movements for the pronunciation of English phonemes. It can also recreate tongue’s motion in real time if paired with the oral wearable device developed by our team. This model can be useful to improve the outcome of rehabilitation for patients with various speech disorders. ”
Silvia Maddalena Rossi • MS candidate • Graduate 2020 • silvia.madda.rossi@gmail.comdu
” I was a master student enrolled in a double degree program between UIC and Politecnico di Milano. I have graduated from UIC in 2020. For my master thesis I developed smartphone interfaces for the tongue controlled wearable devices developed at the WTSE Lab. The applications allow users to access core functionalities of modern-day technology through easy and usable interfaces, which are controllable by the interaction of the users’ tongue with the devices. ”
Matthew Tomback • MS Candidate • tomback2@uic.edu
“I received my B.S. in biomedical engineering at the University of Southern California and I am currently working on my Master’s thesis in wearable biosignal acquisition technology. My thesis is focused on building and programming miniature Bluetooth integrated circuit boards for use in tongue venture project.”
Greta Pastore • MS • Graduate 2018 • gpasto2@uic.edu
“I graduated in Biomedical Engineering at Politecnico di Milano (Italy) in July 2016. Now, I am part of a Joint Program between Politecnico di Milano and UIC, where I am currently working on my Master Thesis. My research is focused on the development of a discreet wearable device that can track the tongue movements during speech.”
Greta is currently a Data Solution Developer at Medtronic in Italy.
Davide Marzorati • MS • Graduation 2017
“I graduated in Biomedical Engineering at Politecnico di Milano (Italy) in July 2015. Now, I am part of a Joint Program between Politecnico di Milano and UIC. My research focuses on assistive technology. I’m currently working on the development of a P300 based Brain-Computer Interface. I hope to develop a low-cost open-source BCI system, that can be adapted to different applications and used in real life.”Davide is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Politecnico di Milano.
Giacomo Piccinini • MS • Graduate 2017
“My MS thesis is focused on developing the Tounge Venture’s first device, that enables the detection of the tongue position on the palate. This device could be used as an assistive or human arguments device .” Giacomo’s Thesis title is “Tongue-To-Speech (TTS): Wearable Wireless Assistive Device for Augmented Speech”.
Giacomo is currently a Business Analyst at Panakes Partners.
Federico Magni • MS • Graduate 2018
On his MS thesis, Federico worked on developing a wearable discreet device that detects various gait conditions and provides corrective haptic feedback to the user. His thesis title is “Design of a Wearable Device for Real-Time Gait Correction”.
Federico is currently a Consultant and Deloitte.
Lauren Craig • MS Candidate • Graduate 2019 • lcraig5@uic.edu
“I am a Bioengineering undergraduate student with an expected graduation date as of May 2019, I am also a member of the College of Engineering and Honors College. I am an independent researcher working on the development of a novel monitoring wearable technology for continuous biomarker and biosignal monitoring. I will start my MS thesis at WTSE lab in August 2019.”
James Steel • MS • Graduate 2016
James worked on developing a research project titled “Entertainment as proof of concept using affordable EEG and processing systems.”
James is currently a Quality Engineer II at AbbVie.
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Undergraduate Students
Bart Nowobilski • Undergraduate • bnowob3@uic.edu
“I’m currently a senior majoring in Computer Science. I work on our Smart retainer project which monitors bio signals such as respiration and heart rate intraorally. I assist in the development of microcontroller firmware, data collection, and development of a user interface.”
Hassan Ali Qadir • BS • hqadir2@uic.edu
“As a CS student at UIC, I’m part of the WTSE Lab team developing an innovative intra-oral respirometer. I am working on the UI design and backend development for the device, utilizing JavaScript and React.”
Anna Carroll • Undergraduate • acarr32@uic.edu
“Anna Carroll is a 3.95 GPA undergraduate Biomedical Engineering student and committed research volunteer. She works in designing, building, and troubleshooting a CNC sensor characterization robot to produce optimal tongue trackpad sensor operation. The development includes manipulating SolidWorks, Prusa 3D printing, electrical wiring, Arduino, Python, and G-code. Additionally, she collects data on wearable tongue trackpad sensors to analyze and characterize movement in healthy versus stroke patients. Her development of biomedical robotics to enhance innovative healthcare solutions saved her father’s life, and she strives to impact millions more. Furthermore, she is seeking a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering and looks forward to her path of learning and discovery throughout her academic years.”
Tam Le • Undergraduate • tle94@uic.edu
”I am a third year Computer Science student at UIC. I am currently working on implementing new features for the Tongue Tracking Web Application as well as optimizing existing code.”
Karina Adan • Undergraduate • kadan2@uic.edu
“I’m a junior majoring in Mechanical Engineering expected to graduate in May 2023. I joined the WTSE lab in April of 2020 my work focuses on the development of the one-size-fits-all oral retainer.”
Shaheer Anwar • Undergraduate • sanwar21@uic.edu
“I am a junior majoring in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago. Furthermore, I joined the WTSE Lab in April 2021 to gain exposure to developing medical devices. My research project aims to develop an assistive hands-free wheelchair attachment that would allow the user to control the direction and speed through the swipe of the tongue on the oral wearable.”
Haley Calderon • Undergraduate • hcalde4@uic.edu
“I’m helping work mainly on the software component of the wheelchair device. My task at the moment is to create the code for handling Bluetooth connection events that will fix connectivity issues.”
Mohamad Merei • Undergraduate • mmerei3@uic.edu
“I’m an undergraduate student majoring in electrical engineering, my expected graduation date is May of 2022. Upon graduation, I plan to pursue my Ph.D. with an interest in sensor technologies, especially for application in civil engineering. I am working on integrating the wireless charging feature into all devices designed at the lab. The wireless charging device was first designed by Adrian Klapsiz (a former student at the lab). I also work on the BruxAlert project.”
Nora Qatanani • Undergraduate • nqatan2@uic.edu
“I’m an undergraduate in the Honors College and the College of Engineering pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering with a Neural Concentration. I have strong interests in wearable technology and the development of medical devices. Joined the Wearable Technology Lab in the Summer of 2021, currently working on the development of an accessible retainer of multiple sizes encase a wearable device that traces tongue motion.”
Vaishnavi Vanamala • Undergraduate • vvanam2@uic.edu
“I’m an undergraduate student here at UIC majoring in biomedical with a concentration in bioinformatics. I joined the WTSE lab at the end of Spring 2021 semester and I have been working on the wheelchair project. I am developing a code to build an interface where the wearable tongue retainer can control the wheelchair.”
Manuela Burek • Undergraduate • Graduate 2021 • mburek2@uic.edu
“I am an undergraduate student studying physics and bioengineering as part of a dual degree sequence with Illinois State University and UIC. Following graduation, I plan on attending law school to focus on intellectual property in the medical device industry. Currently, my research is focused on developing a wearable and discrete device to aid in neurological state monitoring by tracking eye movement.”
Analise Hernandez • Undergraduate • Graduate 2021 • ahern56@uic.edu
“I have been working in the lab since my sophomore year and have interests in the research and development of medical wearable devices.”
Brandon Sakas • Undergraduate • Graduate 2021 • bsakas2@uic.edu
“I’m a Bioengineering undergraduate student expecting to graduate in May 2021. Currently, I’m working on developing mobile applications that interface with wearable systems via Bluetooth for monitoring purposes.”
Mehreen Ali • Undergraduate • Graduate 2022 • mali77@uic.edu
“I am a junior majoring in BME with a passion for wearable technology and medical device development which led me to join WTSE lab. I am working as part of the BruxAlert team and other projects. I am also involved as secretary of UIC’s chapter of BMES, Marketing Director of EMBS, Editor in Chief of Red Shoes Review, and part of the Honors College Advisory Board.”
Heba Sattar • Undergraduate • Graduate 2021 • hsatta3@uic.edu
“I am currently a third-year bioengineering undergraduate at UIC. I joined the WTSE Lab in January of 2020 and worked on data processing and visualization for free exploration of the tongue on a trackpad. In August of 2020, I began working on the BRUXAlert Team, where I help evaluate the customer discovery of the device and will also help test the device. ”
Mallika Patil • Undergraduate • Graduate 2022 • mpatil5@uic.edu
“I am currently a third-year bioengineering undergraduate at UIC. I joined the WTSE Lab in January of 2020 and worked on data processing and visualization for free exploration of the tongue on a trackpad. In August of 2020, I began working on the BRUXAlert Team, where I help evaluate the customer discovery of the device and will also help test the device. ”
Adrian Klapisz • Undergraduate • Graduate 2020 • aklapi3@uic.edu
“I am an undergraduate electrical engineering student and am expecting to graduate in December of 2020. After graduation I want to work in industry, preferably as a Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer, and also eventually pursue a Masters in Electrical Engineering. I am working with the BruxALERT team to create a mouth guard that helps to prevent bruxism and the adverse side effects that come with it. My role is to develop the hardware for our device.”
Lara Nammari • Undergraduate • Graduate 2019 • lnamma2@uic.edu
“My interests include the applications of brain-computer interfaces(B.C.I.s). I am using electroencephalography and B.C.I. software, which was developed within our lab, to control robotics. My goal is to develop this technology into assistive devices that improve the quality of life for patients with physical disabilities.”
Corey Habel • Undergraduate • Graduate 2019
Corey worked as a CS student in the WTSE lab to help program the interfaces required for the Tounge Venture project. Corey got interested in the field of BIOE after taking the Wearable Technology Course offered between BIOE and CS department.
Luis Garibay • Undergraduate • Graduate 2019
Luis worked as a CS student in the WTSE lab to help program the interfaces required for the Tounge Venture project. Luis got interested in the filed of BIOE after taking the Wearable Technology Course offered between BIOE and CS department.
Ameen Kishta • Undergraduate • Graduate 2019 • akisht2@uic.edu
“I am currently a Bioengineering undergraduate at UIC. I work with graduate students as well as with Professor Esmailbeigi with their research projects. The project I am currently assisting with uses the sensation of the tongue to comprehend information via a biofeedback tactile system. The objective of the project is to assist physically disabled individuals by providing them with an assistive interface that will ease their everyday lives.”
Darius Ansari • Undergraduate • Graduate 2018 • dansari2@uic.edu
“I’m an undergraduate bioengineering student with an interest in medical instrumentation. I am assisting with the tongue controller project for the manipulation of an external mouse/keyboard. Specifically, I am developing software necessary for the interface between the controller and external devices.”
Ricardo Aranda • Undergraduate • Graduate 2018 • rarand3@uic.edu
“I am a full-time nurse and bioengineering undergraduate. Having firsthand experience working with patients that have neuromuscular diseases, spinal cord injuries, tetraplegia, and paraplegia I found that the biggest issues faced by this population with current technologies are comfort and cost. My role in the tongue controller interface project was to utilize my clinical knowledge and engineering skills to help develop a product that was both viable and simple for patients to use. Specifically, my role was to design a mouth guard that was custom made to perfectly fit the user’s teeth and palate with electronic sensors embedded in the material.”
Michael Koutsostamatis • Undergraduate • Graduate 2018
Michael worked as a CS student in the WTSE lab to help develop the interfaces required for the Tounge Venture project. Michael got interested in the filed of BIOE after taking the Wearable Technology Course offered between BIOE and CS department.
Michael is currently an Innovation Technologist at New Innovation Management.
Rich Hickey • Undergraduate • Graduate 2016
“I helped Professor Esmailbeigi launch the Tongue Venture project. As a paramedic and an engineer I wanted to create a product that could easily translate to the clinic and provide a real increase in quality of life for patients.”
Rich is currently working toward his Ph.D. in Biomolecular Engineering at The Ohio State University.
Tiana Wong • Undergraduate • Graduate 2016
“Working with Professor Esmailbeigi, I developed a portable, low-cost filtration and autotransfusion device that works to stabilize mothers experiencing post-partum hemorrhaging during transportation to medical facilities for treatment in developing countries. Within the scope of this project, I also worked extensively with doctors from UIC Hospital designing and testing the device in a clinical setting. I am currently working towards my Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan.”
Gregory Roytman • Undergraduate • Graduate 2016
“As an undergraduate student in bioengineering, I helped Professor Esmailbeigi configure a portable, environmentally conscious, and sustainable solar panel-based energy source for a maternal autotransfusion device. I also assisted Professor Esmailbeigi in testing this device’s autotransfusion efficiency in the laboratory and at UIC Hospital’s Maternal Ward. This device’s ultimate application is intended for mothers in developing nations experiencing post-partum hemorrhaging while traveling to often distant hospital locations. Currently, I am a student at National University of Health Sciences, Lombard in the Doctor of Chiropractic program.”
Alexander Bashqawi • Undergraduate
Research project title: “Entertainment as proof of concept using affordable EEG and processing systems.” & “Wearable Biosignal Acquisition System”. Alex is currently an MS candidate in ECE.
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Early Research Scholar Program
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Akhila Ekkurthi • Undergraduate • aekkur2@uic.edu
“I am an undergraduate student majoring in Computer Science at UIC. Currently, I’m part of the Early Research Scholars Program where my team and I work on a research project to develop a user Interface for Tongue-Trackpad, which assists a broader disabled community to interact with technology.”
Andrew Gascon • Undergraduate • agasco3@gmail.com
“I am currently a junior majoring in Data Science with a concentration in Bioinformatics at UIC. My interests in biotechnology and developing technologies that can bring life-changing impact to people are what drew me to join the WTSE Lab as part of the Early Research Scholars Program at UIC. My ERSP teammates and I are collaborating with Dr. Esmailbeigi and her lab team to develop a user interface for a motorized wheelchair controlled by a tongue trackpad.”
Mariyam Haji • Undergraduate • mhaji7@uic.edu
“I’m a Computer Science student. My interests in the intersection of healthcare and technology led me to join the WTSE lab in Fall 2021 as a member of the Early Scholars Research Program (ERSP) team. At the lab, my team and I are collaborating to research and develop an app for the smart wheelchair and intraoral wearable device.”
Lisset Rico • Undergraduate • lrico5@uic.edu
“I’m an undergraduate student working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. Currently I’m a part of the Early Research Scholars Program that is working on creating a mobile application for a wheelchair that can be controlled by a wearable retainer in the WTSE Lab”
Omotola Elujulo • Undergraduate • Graduate 2023 • oeluju2@uic.edu
“ I am a sophomore studying Computer Science with a concentration in Software Engineering. I am assisting with the oral wearable technology research project with a team of undergraduate students as well as with Professor Esmailbeigi. This project will be used as an assistive device for human computer and machine interaction. .”
Priyanka Patel • Undergraduate • Graduate 2023 • ppate396@uic.edu
” I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science. I am a second year student and a part of the Early Research Scholars Program where I will be researching wearable technology!”
Jessamyn Lopez • Undergraduate • Graduate 2023 • jlope81@uic.edu
” I am currently a sophomore studying Computer Science with intended minors in Political Science and Mathematics. I am part of the Early Research Scholars Program for undergraduate computer science and electrical engineering majors to be exposed to research. I have an interest in software development, human-computer interaction, user experience, and biotechnology. ”