Research In Action

Over the past four years, participating in CIRP's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program has become one of the most rewarding aspects of my work. The REU student joins the CHAMP team with a fresh perspective and energy. They contribute new creative ideas, and their contributions often extend far beyond the projects they were initially recruited to support.

Advancing the Research

I began as a co-mentor along with Dr. Michael Hast from the McKay Orthopedics Lab at the University of Pennsylvania. The proposed project, “Developing a Family of 3D-Printed Anthropomorphic Models to Improve Clinical Training,” supported my doctoral thesis to create realistic, hands-on training models to support the education of front-line providers for the patella tap test -- think the CPR dummy for knee injury examination!

Our first summer focused on analyzing MRI scans of knees of school-aged children to explore anatomical differences based on sex, weight class, and injury. Iman Naqvi joined the project as our first REU intern. In addition to our primary analyses, we also identified a potential quantifiable way to measure effusion. We presented our findings to the Orthopedics Research Society and drafted a manuscript describing this work.

In our second year, we focused on computational modeling of the anatomy layer to mimic the biomechanics of the physical knee examination. Norah Crowley helped develop and test computational models that improved our understanding of how training materials could realistically mimic the feel and viscoelasticity of a physical knee examination.

Last summer, after defending my dissertation, I transitioned to be the primary mentor with co-mentor Iman Naqvi. She was our first Junior Engineer in the CHAMP Lab! We started to evaluate the educational impact of the trainers. Naja Quales joined the team to help create more hands-on models of knees with variation for weight class and injury states.

This summer, with Kingsley Royal as our latest REU student, we are conducting a study with providers to evaluate the best method for providing feedback to trainers while they practice the knee exam on the knee models. Kingsley utilizes electronics to create different systems, like a display screen and light indication, to give the trainees feedback and improve their performance. He showcased a day in his life on CIRP social media. 

Growing Through Collaboration and Mentorship

Each summer, interns join the team and participate not only in REU programming but also become part of the CHAMP Team. They participate in our weekly meeting to discuss, brainstorm, and support projects across the hospital network. Their curiosity frequently sparks new ideas, encourages us to rethink assumptions, and helps us approach challenges from different angles.

The collaborative nature of our lab also allows the interns to directly connect to many different roles in the hospital. They have worked closely with radiologists, sports medicine/emergency physicians, human factors engineers, and medical illustrators. Iman and Norah participated in the Hast lab and learned more about orthopedic research. Kingsley will be one of the first interns to explore CHOP’s new engineering space, the IDEA labs. This lab is a new research core in the Morgan Center for Research and Innovation and supports engineering and design breakthroughs.

While they engage with and receive mentorship from the various teams, REU students also have opportunities to mentor younger trainees. For example, Norah worked with CHOP RISES student, Elizabeth Polke to teach silicone molding techniques used in creating test models.

While REU students gain research experience, our lab benefits just as much from their curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm. Their contributions have advanced projects, strengthened collaborations, and inspired new ideas. As we continue to grow within spaces like the CHAMP Lab and the new IDEA Labs, we look forward to welcoming future cohorts of students whose fresh perspectives will help shape the next generation of innovation in child injury prevention research.