EDUCATION                                                                                                                                                                                              

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering, June 2016 (Excpected)

• Cumulative GPA: 4.7/5.0

University of British Columbia - Vancouver, BC, Canada

Bachelor of Applied Science, Mechanical Engineering (Biomedical), 2014

Degree with Distinction

• 300 & 400-Level Average: 90.6%

EXPERIENCE                                                                                                                                                                                            

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, September 2014 - Present

Tata Center for Technology & Design Fellow

Abdun-Nur Presidential Fellow

• Precision Engineering Research Group
  
• Machine design for decentralized crop waste to bioenergy conversion
  

University of British Columbia, May - August 2014

• Collaborative Advanced Robotics and Intelligent Systems Laboratory

• Developed a virtual prototyping tool for simulating interactions between a musculoskeletal model and a robotic assistive device

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, January - August 2013

Research Engineer

• Institute for Biomechanics, Orthopaedic Biomechanics Group
  
• Developed a small-scale bioreactor for in-vitro studies of tendon fascicle growth, healing and conditioning
  

TRIUMF Particle and Nuclear Physics Laboratory, May - August 2012

Research Intern

• Vacuum and Cryogenics Group
• Analyzed the behavior of mechanical components in a cryogenic environment in order to predict high-risk locations for loss of vacuum
• Aided with assembly and testing of the 4K to 2K helium conversion prototype unit

UBC Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability, January - May 2012

Research Assistant

• Developed a data analysis program in to draw conclusions from experimental data on the effects of ventilation systems on disease transmission in hospitals

SKILLS                                                                                                                                                                                                      

• Computer: Solidworks, ANSYS, Matlab, LabVIEW, Pro/Engineer, AutoCAD, Comsol Multiphysics
• Fabrication: Mill, lathe, drill, water-jet cutter, laser-cutter, 3D printer, bandsaw, grinder, hand tools

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS                                                                                                                                                              

O’Brien, M., Koveshnikov, A., Laxdal, R. (August 2nd 2012). Cryogenic Testing for TRIUMF’s ARIEL E-Linac. Poster presented at the Canadian Women in Physics Conference. Vancouver, BC.

ACADEMIC HONOURS                                                                                                                                                                            

Tata Center for Design Master's Fellowship, 2015/16

Lydia I. Pickup Memorial Scholarship, 2015

MIT Presidential Fellowship, 2014/15

National Science and Engineering Research Council Undergraduate Student Research Award, 2014

Trek Excellence Scholarship, 2013

Frank Vernon Memorial Scholarship, 2013

Yates Memorial Scholarship, 2013

Charles and Jane Banks Scholarship, 2012

Mechanical Engineering Academic Achievement Award, 2012

UBC Dean’s Honour List, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014

UBC President’s Entrance Award, 2009

SERVICE WORK                                                                                                                                                                                       

Friends of Médecins sans Frontières, UBC Chapter, 2013/2014

Faculty of Applied Science Representative

Southlands Therapeutic Riding Society, 2011-2014

Horse Care & Lesson Volunteer

LANGUAGE                                                                                                                                                                                              

German: A2-level reading, writing, and conversational proficiency