About Me

My name is Shilpa Rao and I am a third year student, studying biomedical engineering at the University of Waterloo. I am a very passionate individual, with an interest in the intersection of medicine, technology, and design.

I have a background in a Visual Arts specialization from Canterbury High School of the Arts; I aspire to use my fine arts background and biotechnology studies to contribute to healthcare advances, via designing medical devices, prosthetics, human factors, or conducting synthetic biological research.

This website is made to showcase my profile as a biomedical engineering student. My contact information is below, please do not hesitate to reach out. I hope you enjoy!

My Inspiration

My Hobbies

For the longest time, I had my heart set on becoming an architect, because I thought it was the best way to "build a better future" while combining my interests in STEM and design fields.

In grade 11, I struggled with a few health issues. While recovering, I became very interested in the biological mechanisms with what was happening to me, the treatment and recovery process, food sciences such as macromolecules and micronutrients, and the whole medical field in general. I started conducting research and reading academic articles on these topics for fun in my free time.

Additionally, my grandparents have been a part of my household for the past three years, due to their health issues. When I was in grade 12, my grandfather's kidneys failed and he was put on emergency dialysis. Then, during my first year of university he suffered a stroke; thankfully, he survived because of the advances in healthcare that we are fortunate to have. This put a lot of strain on my family, but more than anything, I took an interest into his healthcare, from his continuous glucose monitor to his dialysis. I started doing my own research and I knew I needed to take part in health innovation.

Now, my overall goal for my career is to incorporate medicine, research, design, technology, sustainability and accessibility. Ultimately, I want to use my strengths and passions to leave the world knowing I had a positive impact.

Outside of academics, I am someone who is passionate about fitness and the arts.

I am a professional dancer for the Saveeta Sharma Dance Company and a dance teacher for Upasana the Spirit of Dance. I have been studying Kathak, an Indian classical dance form since I was five years old, and gave my first professional performance at the age of 15, in 2019.

I enjoy visual arts such as painting and ceramics; my first professional mural, entitled "A New Tomorrow", was installed in 2022. It is a combination of the two media, showcasing my dream of combining STEM and design to create a better future.

Additionally, a major part of my life includes weightlifting. Lifting weights is something that allows me to completely focus on getting stronger, bettering myself day by day.

And finally, in addition to these hobbies, I play intramural soccer at the University of Waterloo and enjoy singing for the university's a cappella team called ACE. I also like to write songs and compose music when I have spare time.

As someone with many interests, it is very important to me to maintain a balance between hobbies and academics, and I am proud to say that maintaining this balance has become a strength.

About Me

My name is Shilpa Rao and I am a second year student, studying biomedical engineering at the University of Waterloo. I am a very passionate individual, with an interest in the intersection of medicine, technology, and design.

This website is made to showcase my profile as a biomedical engineering student. My contact information is below, please do not hesitate to reach out. I hope you enjoy!

My Inspiration

My Hobbies

	Experience
	Unity Health, St. Michael's Hospital — Engineering Project Assistant Co-op Student September 2024 - December 2024 Assisted in the implementation of a new nurse call device and system integration to improve patient care. Acted as a liaison between internal clients (Doctors, Scientists, Managers, Health Disciplines staff etc.) and external consultants. Assisted with design development and coordinated with consulting architects and engineers.
	International Genetically Engineered Machine Team — Math & Modelling Member, UX/UI Designer June 2023 - PRESENT Researched and developed dynamic and constraint-based mathematical models of methane metabolism and intracellular interactions. Developed a CRISPR/Cas9 delivery system for targeted disruption of the mcrA gene in rumen methanogens to mitigate methane emissions. Designed a wiki showcasing the development of a mechanism within the tomato plant to fight against Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus.
	Upasana the Spirit of Dance — Professional Dancer and Teacher September 2016 - PRESENT Directed, filmed, and edited promotional and company production videos. Communicated between the Artistic Director and the theatre technicians prior to performances to ensure quality. Responsible for teaching choreography and providing constructive criticism while maintaining team motivation and positivity.
	University of Waterloo — Undergraduate Biomechanics Research Assistant May 2024 - August 2024 Researched and tested the reliability of safety boot metatarsal guards according to safety standard ASTM F2413. Melted and formed wax foot models to undergo impact tests at various weights and researched instrumented foot forms. Assisted in development of a more accurate device and safety standard to prevent metatarsal fracture. Worked in the Structural Biomechanics Laboratory at the University of Waterloo under Professor Naveen Chandrashekar.
	Candian Nuclear Laboratories — Student Designer January 2024 - April 2024 Improved misalignment of configuration among design documents, Computerized Maintenance Management System, and field ID tags. Converted and updated Computer-Aided Design drawings to reflect current field conditions using AutoCAD. Inspected electrical, mechanical, and civil systems for biological research laboratories and facilities.
	Waterloo Rocketry — Payload Designer and IV Pump Project Lead June 2023 - April 2024 Innitiated a project involving designing and developing an peristaltic pump created to adapt to low gravity environments. Researched blood flow rates of various populations to optimize blood transfusion for all demographics. Designed electrical circuits to implement the payload in the rocket cubesat and protect from harsh environmental impacts.
	Rooney, Irving & Associates Ltd. — Mechanical Engineering Intern July 2023 - August 2023 Initially processed elevator inspection submissions by using an automated software to manipulate the data into a rough draft of a technical report. Analyzed the written and photographed inspection submissions and developed technical reports. Updated and edited existing reports, and organized the reports into folders for easier access.
	Warrior Home Design Team — Architect October 2022 - August 2023 Collaboratively researched sustainable materials and designed sustainable and efficient residential homes using SolidWorks and Revit. Achieved first place in the engineering division at Solar Decathlon Competition 2023. Collaborated with clients and partner organizations to provide affordable housing.
	BoonBridge Corporation — Web Analyst and Technical Coordinator May 2023 - July 2023 Researched accessibility standards and SEO techniques to redesign the website. Developed slide decks, pitches, brochures, and other marketing materials to sell BoonBridge Services to potential clients. Web Database implementation for Azure Partner Portal and enhancements with PowerBI and Project Management Portals.
	United Nations Association in Canada — Youth Ambassador and Impact Mentor June 2020 - February 2023 Founded The Three Pillar Challenge in association with the UNAC to inspire individual sustainable practices. Researched sustainable practices and designed a user-friendly website and attractive social media platforms. Presented at an international United Nations symposium to pitch the initiative to potential partners and influential world leaders.