May Pwint

Bioengineering PhD candidate at the University of Pittsburgh

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3390-4631

Research Experience

Graduate Student Researcher

Neural Tissue Electrode Interface and Neural Tissue Engineering Lab
  • Design, fabricate, and characterize neural devices for electrophysiological recording, electrical microstimulation, and neurotransmitters (dopamine, glutamate, and serotonin) sensing in vitro and in rodent models
  • Evaluate material safety of microelectrodes and effects of electrical stimulation on the electrodes as well as the failure mechanisms
  • Develop novel coating material for neural interfaces for improving biocompatibility
  • Investigate the dynamic interactions between neurotransmitters and neuronal firing in traumatic brain injury in rats using biocompatible multimodal implants
July 2021 - May 2026

Research Assistant

Biomechanics of Growth and Remodeling Lab
  • Thesis: “Development of an Agent-Based Model of SARS-CoV-2-Induced Lung Damage”
August 2020 - May 2021

Research Assistant

Singapore Institute for Neurotechnology
  • Designed flexible cuff electrodes for intramuscular neural recording and stimulation
January 2020 - March 2020

Research Assistant

Translational Biophotonics Lab, Tulane University
  • Cleared ex vivo tissue samples and assisted in imaging and reconstructing raw images from Selective Plane Illumination Microscopy
August 2018 - December 2019

Additional Experience

Reviewer

Ingenium: Journal of Undergraduate Research by PITT
  • Review abstracts and articles submitted by undergraduate students in the Swanson School og Engineering
August 2020 - Present

Peer Mentor

Newcomb-Tulane College
  • Course: TIDE-1185 Innovations in Chemical Engineering
  • Mentored 14 freshmen in TIDE-1185, a Tulane Interdisciplinary Experience Seminar (TIDES)
August 2020 - December 2020

Digital Research Intern

Newcomb Institute, Tulane University
  • Developed digital products for nine Humanities and Social Science projects as an agile developer on Scrum team
  • Projects include full-stack development, content curation, data collection, and graphic design
  • Contributed cover designs and contents to Newcomb Tech Zine Issue No. 3
August 2019 - December 2019

K-12 STEM Outreach Intern

K-12 STEM Education Center, Tulane University
  • Planned K-12 STEM outreach events on and off campus
January 2018 - May 2018

Patents

  • US Prv No. 63/424,938: “Polymer-Based Buckling-Resistant Intracortical Microelectrode Array,” M Pwint, X Cui, Provisional patent filed November 13, 2022.
  • US Patent App. No. 63/222,004: “Device and Methods for Conveying Neuron Signals to a Processing Device,” A Schwartz, M Pwint, filed July 14, 2021 and issued January 19, 2023.
  • US Prv No. 63/177,032: “Flexible Sensing System for Biopotential Signals,” M Pwint, A Tran, Provisional patent filed April 20, 2021.
  • US Prv No. 63/143,358: “Novel Gripping Device for Soft Tissue and Other Materials,” R Anderson, M Pwint, Provisional patent filed January 29, 2021.

    • Education

    University of Pittsburgh

    Doctor of Philosophy
    Department of Bioengineering

    GPA: 3.96

    Coursework

    • Electroanalytical Chemistry
    • Neural Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
    • Quantitative Cellular Neuroscience
    • Quantitative Systems Neuroscience
    January 2020 - May 2020

    Tulane University

    Bachelor of Science in Engineering
    Majors: Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics

    GPA: 3.91

    Coursework

    Biomedical Engineering

    • Statics
    • Mechanics of Materials
    • Materials Science & Engineering
    • Biofluid Mechanics
    • Electric Circuits
    • Biomedical Electronics
    • Biomedical Signals and Systems
    • Cell & Molecular Biology
    • Organic and Biochemistry
    • Anatomy and Physiology for Engineers
    • Quantitative Physiology
    • Microphysiological Systems
    • Product & Experimental Design
    • Elements of Biomedical Engineering Design
    • BME Team Design
    Computer Science

    • Intro to Computer Science I (Python)
    • Intro to Computer Science II (Java, C++)
    • Discrete Structures
    • Intro to Algorithms
    • Software Studio
    • Theory of Computation
    Mathematics

    • Calculus I-III
    • Discrete Math
    • Linear Algebra
    • Real Analysis
    • Ordinary Differential Equations
    • Stochastic Processes
    • Linear Models
    • Scientific Computing
    Electives

    • Modern Physics
    • Organic Chemistry
    • Diversity of Life
    • Microeconomics
    • Macroeconomics
    August 2017 - May 2021

    National University of Singapore

    Non-Graduating Exchange
    Host Department: Biomedical Engineering

    Coursework

    • Bioengineering Data Analysis
    • Materials for Biointerfaces
    • Neurotechnology
    • Computer Organization
    • Information Theory
    January 2020 - May 2020

    Basic Education High School No. 1 Dagon, Myanmar

    Science Pathway

    National Rank: 12

    June 2007 - October 2015

    Skills

    Programming Languages & Tools
    Software
    Other skills

    Interests

    My research interest is in medical technology, specifically neurotechnology.

    When I am not working, I enjoy playing badminton and Karate. I also love travelling and outdoor activities.

    When indoors, I watch sci-fi, fantasy movies, and anime. I cook, I bake, and sometimes I spend time reading random science articles and latest advancements in other fields.

    Awards & Certifications

    Academic

    Others