Uncovering the Behavior of Particles in the Lung by Coupling Numerical Predictions with Experimental Data

Jessica Oakes, University of California, Berkeley

February 17, 2016 @ 12:10 pm to February 5, 2016 @ 01:10 pm

210 Hallowell Building, Streaming: W310 Millennium Science Complex

Event Website

ABSTRACT_____ Pulmonary diseases cause a substantial medical and financial burden worldwide and are typically caused by inhalation of air pollution or cigarette smoke over a long period of time._ Aerosolized medicine is an effective way to treat these diseases, however targeted lung delivery remains a challenge, especially in the presence of disease.__ Physiologically based computer simulations provide novel insight of lung mechanics, however simulations need validating before they can be translated into clinical settings._ In this seminar, I will introduce a novel MRI method to quantify particle deposition in healthy and diseased rat lungs._ Next, complementary multi-scale numerical simulations of airflow and particle transport will be discussed._ I will then focus on the advantages of coupling simulations with experimental data to provide detailed insight beyond the resolution of the data._ At the end of the talk I will discuss the challenge of validating computer models and my perspective on what is required to bring these types of models into medical practices. _ BIOGRAPHY__ Jessica Oakes is a University of California Presidential Postdoctoral Scholar at UC Berkeley._ She received her mechanical engineering PhD degree from UC San Diego in 2013. After completing her degree, Jessica performed a one-year postdoctoral appointment at INRIA in Paris, France._ Jessicas work has been supported by the National Science Foundation, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, International Institute of Education (Whitaker Scholarship), and an INRIA Postdoctoral Grant._ Recently, Jessica was awarded an American Lung Association Grant to investigate the health effects of electronic cigarettes._ In the long term, Jessica is interested in merging engineering and medicine to diagnose and optimize treatment of lung diseases.__ Jessica grew up in Western New York and enjoys hiking, reading, art, and traveling._ Please visit her website at www.jessicamoakes.com.

Contact

Rachel Taylor
ram59@engr.psu.edu
814-865-1407