Education

9/2003- PRESENT New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ

PhD Candidate - Major: Biomedical Engineering

Dissertation: Computational Model of Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics

9/2000-5/2002 New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ

Master of ScienceMajor: Biomedical Engineering

Thesis Title: Computational Model of Pendulum Knee Drop Test for Spasticity

7/1995 -7/1996 Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia

Management Principles for Medium and Small size Corporations

1/1994-3/1994 University Of Illinois at Chicago

Postdoctoral Research Associate Fellow, Stereotactic Neurosurgery

8/1981-8/1985 Hospital Militar Central, Bogota, Colombia

Residence: Neurological Surgery

7/1974-7/1980 Universidad del Rosario, Hospital San Jose, Bogotá, Colombia

School of Medicine

Research Interests

Neuroengineering: Based on my previous experience as a Neurosurgeon, several areas of brain function are being currently studied and modeledusing engineering tools. Among them is the design of a computational model of Cerebro-Spinal Fluid (CSF) dynamics and by extension, the patho-physiology of communicating hydrocephalus is included.

In collaboration with other members of the department, new ways of measuringaltered functions of the nervous system are being developed. (e.g.:Quantification strategies in spasticity)• Non-Linear Dynamics of Biological Systems: being conscious of theimpact and potential of non-linear dynamics, complex systems and chaostheory for the analysis and description of biological systems, and human interaction; we have developed a study group for this particular purposes in the BME department at NJIT.

  Professional Experience

• Associate Research: Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Laboratory, Department of

  Biomedical Engineering, NJIT, at  present.

• Special Lecturer: FED 101: Introduction to Engineering Design, NJIT, Fall 2003 to

  present.

• Special Lecturer: BME 302: Introduction To Human Biomechanics. NJIT. Fall2002

 –Fall 2004

Special Lecturer: BME 303: Biological and Chemical Foundations of Biomedical Engineering. NJIT. Spring 2005

•Special Lecturer: BME 498 -102: Introduction To Human Physiology. NJIT. Fall 2001 (at the present)

Numerous appointments as an attending physician have lead to a cumulative experience and knowledge in areas related to decision algorithms in the emergency room, and patient/ physician relation.

• Neurosurgeon: Clinica Reina Sofia January 1993 -August 2000

• Neurophysiology professor: Universidad de La Sabana School of Medicine: August 1996 -July 1997

• Neurosurgeon: Hospital Central de la Policia February 1986 -November 1994

• Neurosurgeon: Clinica Infantil Colsubsidio August 1985- September 1987

• Associate Neurosurgery Instructor at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia,

(Colombia National University) at the following Hospitals: Hospital

San Juan de Dios; Hospital Materno Infantil; Hospital de la Misericordia. December 1985 -May 1988

• Neurosurgeon: Hospital San Rafael, Bogota August 1985-March 1986

• Compulsory Medical Rural Practice: Hospital Fructuoso Reyes Santa

Rosa de Viterbo Boyaca. July 1980- July 1981

Presentations

• Cerebrospinal Fluid Normal Hydrodynamics, poster, BMES 2005 Annual Meeting, October 2005, Baltimore, Maryland.

• Relation Between Brain Parenchyma Compliance and Normal and AbnormalCerebrospinal Fluid Hydrodynamics, Platform presentation. Third Annual        Symposium of Neural Hydrodynamics. May 2005. Columbus, Ohio.

• Cyclical Variation of Brain Parenchyma Compliance as the Pump for Cerebrospinal Fluid, poster, BMES 2004 Annual Meeting, October 2004, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

• Integrated Biomedical Education Using Studio-Based Learning, -Partnership for Educational Bioengineering Laboratories (PEBEL), June 2004, Lansdowne, Virginia.

• Studio Classes Modeled on Complex System Theory In Order to Increase Creativity and Critical Thinking: Platform Presentation, 30th IEEE Northeast Bioengineering Conference, Springfield ,Massachusetts, April 2004.

• A Computational Model Of The Spastic Behavior Of The Lower Limb: Platform Presentation, 29th IEEE Northeast Bioengineering Conference Newark, New Jersey, March 2003.

• LASIK as a CAD/CAM application to Surgery,Guest Speaker, Society Of Manufacturing Engineers New Jersey Chapter, May 2001.

• First National Symposium on Lumbar Pain Lecturer, Clinica Reina Sofia, Bogota, July 1998.

• First Course Update on Neurology and Neurosurgery Emergencies, Clinica Reina Sofia, Lecturer, Bogota, March 15, 1997.

• VII Medical Congress National Central Hospital, Lecturer, July 29 - August 1 of 1992.

• IV Symposium of the National Central Hospital, Lecturer, Bogotá, October 5 -7, 1989.

• Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, Hospital Militar Central July 1982.

• Surgical Approaches to The Sella Turcica and Sphenoidal Sinus, Hospital Militar Central, July 1983.

• Surgical Management of Low Back Pain, Hospital Militar Central, July 1984.

• Basic Microsurgical Training Manual (Manual Development And Lab. Implementation)Hospital Militar Central, July 1985.

  Grants

• Co-project director Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on “ Technology for Children with Orthopedic Disabilities”.
• $ 4.5 million Grant from National Institute on Disabilities and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). November 2005 – November 2010
• Co-Principal investigator  Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI)  “Studio Based Biomedical; Education”. $101.000 Grant from National Science Foundation (NSF), March 2002 – February 2004

  Honors and Awards

 • President, Alpha-Epsilon-Lambda Graduate Students Honor Society, NJIT Chapter, December 2003 –December 2004

• Member Alpha-Epsilon-Lambda Graduate Students Honor Society, NJIT Chapter, May 2002.

•Member Tau-Beta-Pi Engineering Honor Society, NJIT Chapter, April 2005.

•Member Sigma-xi, Scientific Research Society, NJIT Chapter, May 2005.

• Advisor NJIT Art Society, NJIT student founded association for the Arts, November 2003.

• Advisor NJIT Engineers without borders, NJIT student founded association for engineering community service in the third world, November 2004

• Advisor NJIT Filipino  Student Association, NJIT student association founded by students to promote Philipine culture and arts, November 2005

• Active member-Colombian Association of Neurosurgery

• Honorific Mention Ministry of the National Defense, National Police Period

of 1989 to 1992 (second time)

• Honorific Mention Ministry of the National Defense, National Police Period

of 1986 to 1989 (First time)

• Mention of Honor Defensa Civil Colombiana, November 1980