Ebrahimi Eyes Future in Research

Junior women's soccer player Mitra Ebrahimi knew she wanted to study engineering in college, What she found out is the engineering path she thought she loved is now second on the list thanks to her experience in a summer research program. Ebrahimi applied for and received an internship for the 2011 summer through the Student Undergraduate Research Program at Carnegie Mellon University. Working at the Mellon Institute has shown her more of what she would like to do following graduation.

At the Mellon Institute in Pittsburgh, Ebrahimi worked with Dr. Alan Rosenbloom on a bio marker for early detection of infection. The bio marker, called procalcitonin, is inserted in a syringe needle that pumps fluid and is used to test an optical system for detecting on a micro scale. Currently, procalcitonin can be detected in the blood stream but only at high levels when physical symptoms are present.

"Our goal is to detect procalcitonin at a lower level so an early infection diagnosis can be made, resulting in early treatment," Ebrahimi said. "The optical device is used to mimic the blood stream but on a micro scale. We are still in the trial process, but hopefully by the summer we can do clinical trials."

Through this work and past summer jobs, Ebrahimi has realized research is where her most recent future lies.

"I want to get my master's degree in a research-based field," said the biomedical and mechanical engineering major. "Research gives you a background I feel is important before moving to an industrial track."

Ebrahimi had spent two summers working in the mechanical engineering field doing data-entry tasks and realized after her first semester at Carnegie Mellon that the biomedical field was more of what she wanted.

"I spent my first semester focusing on learning how to learn and believe that internships really give you a feel for the position and if you want to continue in the field," Ebrahimi said. "My time working with Dr. Rosenbloom reinforced my thoughts that mechanical engineering was not for me."

Right now, Ebrahimi is focused on the soccer season, as the Tartans are 5-3 heading into University Athletic Association play. The junior defender is a captain on this year's team that won five straight before its last game at Washington & Jefferson.

"We had a really good preseason, integrating early with the freshmen and connecting real fast," Ebrahimi said. "We started the season on the road against two tough opponents, which lit a fire. We came home and really began to play the way we wanted to play, holding possession, stringing passes and implementing things from practice."

Expectations are high this season for Ebrahimi who would like nothing more than to reach the NCAA tournament and play well for her fellow captains and seniors.

"Elsa (Wu), (Kristin) Suzich, and Nicole (Bayley) have given everything to this program and I really want to reward their dedication over the years," concluded Ebrahimi.