Finding Cells Sooner: Biomedical Engineering Student Pursues Bigger Goals in Cancer Detection

She held strong to that statement throughout high school by taking multiple Advanced Placement classes and participating in sports, organizations and clubs ranging from soccer to band. 
 
Recognizing her academic strengths of science and math, Kyla researched careers where she could use her talents to make a difference in the world. She found the field of biomedical engineering and immediately knew it would be a great fit. 
 
Kyla wanted to attend a mid-size university where research opportunities were available and she could receive mentorship from faculty. Her college search led her to Duquesne. 
 
“Biomedical engineering at Duquesne looked like a great program,” she says. “Funny enough, I never even toured campus. Once I was accepted and arrived, the campus was gorgeous and I felt like this was my home.”
 
Kyla enjoys studying thermodynamics – a branch of physics that deals with the energy and work of a system. She also focused on her other academic strengths by pursuing a second major in applied mathematics.  

While Kyla excels in the classroom – and helps others succeed through her work as a thermodynamics tutor – she embraces the research opportunities available at the School of Science and Engineering.
 
Her current work focuses on biomedical photoacoustics, which is the detection of particles and cells using light and sound. In layman’s terms, Kyla describes the work as “speeding up the detection of any type of cell.”  

This could allow sick patients to receive blood test results faster, and it could lead to earlier detection of diseases like cancer. 
 
“When the detection system hits a particle or cell, it expands, makes a sound and sends out waves,” she explains. “This semester we’re taking it to the next level by getting whole blood samples and infusing them with bacteria and cancer cells.”
 
Just as Kyla trusted in Duquesne, her faculty mentor trusts in her abilities and is eager to champion her aspirations so she can realize her boldest goals. “Dr. John Viator is a great mentor,” she says. “He answers all my questions and has given us freedom to discover.”
 
Experience in the lab and in the classroom helps Kyla gain the skills she’ll need to become a problem-solver who is driven by a desire to help others. She’s learning the diverse, hands-on skills needed to make a difference in medical device development and in the lives of patients. 
 
“In our electronics classes we learn a lot about circuits and soldering,” she says. “I even learned to code through my programming course.”
 
Kyla looks forward to making discoveries alongside incoming College of Osteopathic Medicine students to make an even bigger impact in her future profession and on the people it serves.
 
“Biomedical engineering students are behind the scenes creating medical devices and detection methods,” she says. “With the medical students we can look at issues they might have and help them discover what we can do about them. I'm excited to collaborate and solve more health issues.” 
 
With this research experience under her belt, Kyla reflects on her first successes in the lab, noting her wonder when the melanoma cells she cultured survived incubation overnight and were visible under her microscope.
 
“I look back to 17-year-old me, who would be shocked at what I’m doing now,” said Kyla. “That’s all thanks to Duquesne and this program.”