Graduate Students
Stefanie Blain
PhD candidate
Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering
University of Toronto
Advisor: Dr. Tom Chau
E-mail: stefanie[dot]blain[at]utoronto[dot]ca
Education & Training:
Stefanie completed her Bachelors of Applied Science in Engineering Science at the University of Toronto in 2005, specializing in Biomedical Engineering. Through her undergraduate work, she was introduced to the field of rehabilitation engineering, and completed her honours thesis under the supervision of Dr. Tom Chau at Bloorview Kids Rehab. Her thesis involved designing and building an aspirometer – a portable, wearable device that monitored swallowing safety for children with dysphagia.
Current Research:
In 2005, Stefanie began her Masters studies in the Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Sciences in collaboration with the Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, and transferred to her PhD studies in 2006. Her research interests involve developing an access pathway for individuals with severe and multiple disabilities who have no means of interacting with their environment. Specifically, her research examines the potential for an individual to voluntarily control the signals of his or her autonomic nervous system in order to create a reliable binary switch signal.
Teaching Assistantships:
CHE393F: Biotransport Phenomena (2005-07 [class of 0T7, 0T8, 0T9])
A course for 3rd year undergraduate engineering science students covering the fundamentals of momentum, heat and mass transfer. Topics include mass, linear momentum and energy balances: Differential analysis of laminar viscous flow, heat conduction and diffusion, and convective transport. Examples from environmental and biomedical systems are discussed.
MIE439F: Biomechanics (2006 – 2007 [class of 0T7, 0T8, 0T9])
A course for 4th year engineering science and mechanical engineering students that involves the application of the principles of mechanical engineering – principally solid mechanics, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics – to living systems. Topics include cellular mechanics, blood rheology, respiratory and circulatory mechanics, musculoskeletal mechanics, and locomotion.
Other Interests:
Shad Valley - summer program in engineering, science and entrepreneurship for high school students. I'm currently a staff member at the Waterloo University campus.
Bloorview Kids Rehab – I currently volunteer with the children on the Complex Continuing Care ward, doing homework and therapeutic recreation activities.
