Graduate Students
Jamilah Abdur-Rahim
Fourth-year graduate student in the Mechanical Engineering Department
GEM PhD Fellowship Recipient
NSF CSE IGERT Fellowship Recipient
Research
I am currently investigating learning in a visuomotor skill via System Identification. Learning can be modeled as a controller, thus by using system identification the best controller type can be chosen to describe the dynamics of the system.
Education
SUNY Binghamton, 1999-2003
Syracuse University, 2003-2005
UC Santa Barbara, 2005-present
 Eric Kwei
Fourth-year graduate student (ChE) working in systems biology
Research
My research interests are the creation and analysis of mathematical models of insulin signaling pathways. The goal of this research is to use these models to select molecular targets for more effective treatment of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Education
B.S. California Institute of Technology, 2002-2006
UC Santa Barbara, 2006-Present
 Matthew W. Percival
Fifth-year Graduate Student Working in Biomedical Control
Research
The goal of my research is to develop robust control algorithms for delivery of insulin to those with type 1 diabetes mellitus. In practice, this is described in the three phases below:
- Design of clinical protocol for system identification
- Modeling for control and development of model-based controllers
- Closed-loop clinical trials
These activities are geared towards solving practical issues in implementation of the world's first truly closed-loop artificial pancreatic beta cell suitable for use in ambulatory conditions.
Education
Imperial College London, UK, 2001-2005
EPFL, Switzerland, 2003-2004
UC Santa Barbara, 2005-Present
Theresa Yuraszeck
Fifth-year graduate student in the Chemical Engineering Department
Research
My research focuses on Alzheimer’s disease and uses a systems biology approach to understand its pathology. I am particularly interested in modeling the biological network involving tau, a protein that forms the intracellular tangles universally found in the neurons of those afflicted with this disease. My goal is to generate hypotheses about the triggers leading to the production of abnormal tau species and the formation of aggregates and the most effective ways in which to intervene in these processes. This work is done in collaboration with Dr. Ken Kosik at the Neuroscience Research Institute at UCSB and Dr. Anne Robinson at the University of Delaware.
Education
Lehigh University, 1999-2003
UC Santa Barbara, 2005 – present
Henry Mirsky
Sixth-year Graduate Student Working in Systems Biology
Research
My research explores the sensitivity of mammalian circadian clocks to parameter perturbations and includes an elucidation of robustness and fragility. The project also involves the development of new computational tools to explore robustness and the development of a new mathematical model for the mouse circadian system.
Education
Cornell University, 1981-1986
University of Arizona, 1998-2001
UC Santa Barbara, 2004-Present
CV | Research Summary
Rebecca Harvey
Second Year Graduate Student working in Biomedical Control
Eugene Cota-Robles Fellowship Recipient
Research
My research includes the development of control algorithms for insulin delivery for people with Type 1 diabetes. My current focus is the impact of exercise and stress on the physiologic control of glucose in Type 1 patients and its effect on our control algorithm.
Education
Northeastern University, 2003-2008
UC Santa Barbara, 2008-Present
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