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FARIL Diary

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Lercan Aslan

January 1, 2025

During my time at FARIL MGH from October 2023 to November 2024, I enjoyed the vibrancy of research environment and had the opportunity to work on nearly 18 projects. These projects ranged from 3D printing and patient-specific implant design to cadaver-based explorations of innovative surgical techniques. Under the leadership of Soheil, our director, the atmosphere was one of open communication and constant brainstorming, drawing together students, undergraduates, surgeons, and engineers. This cross-disciplinary approach not only enriched my understanding of orthopedics, but also highlighted how crucial it is to integrate engineering insights into everyday surgical practice which will save time, reduce radiation exposure, and enhance reliability through designed guides. As we all know, these cannot be achieved alone and the friendships I have made during this period are forged through countless moments of laughter, support, and shared challenges, making them truly priceless, and I know these connections will remain with me for a lifetime.

Beyond the technical growth, I discovered much about myself and my own capabilities. Before this program, I had never written a grant proposal; with the support and mentorship of the FARIL MGH faculty, I ended up successfully securing three industry grants. Collaborating with brilliant minds and esteemed professors expanded my professional network and broadened my horizons. Most importantly, it gave me the confidence to push beyond perceived limits and deal with the challenges I once thought daunting. I leave FARIL MGH with a profound appreciation for the power of teamwork and the knowledge that, with the right guidance and a dedicated team, ambitious goals can indeed become reality. Working at FARIL is an unforgettable odyssey  that stays with you for life. Whenever you’re feeling low, you can look back on what you achieved there and remember just how much you’re capable of.

Abhinav Bhamidipati

December 31, 2024

I joined FARIL after my first year of medical school, and I am extremely grateful to be a part of this family. I had an amazing experience on-site over the summer, and am fortunate enough to be continuing my research alongside the team today. FARIL offered me the chance to be a part of innovative, high-quality research projects, but just as importantly, gave me the chance to collaborate with all sorts of talented individuals. I worked alongside undergraduates, fellow medical students, research fellows, and orthopedic surgeons from all over the world, which not only gave me invaluable experience in the field but also emphasized the importance of teamwork as a core value of FARIL. Beyond all this, I am most thankful for the people I met during my summer at FARIL. Everybody is so willing to help, teach, learn, and collaborate–the level of kindness and support I felt is what truly set my experience apart from any of my prior professional endeavors. I am excited to continue my journey as part of this team, working virtually on the projects that lie ahead.

Suhas Velichala

December 31, 2024

Finding Clarity and Inspiration Through FARIL

FARIL has been an incredible place to consolidate my passion for orthopedics and explore innovative ways to make meaningful contributions to the field. From the moment I joined, I was immersed in an environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and cutting-edge research. The lab’s focus on interdisciplinary projects has allowed me to work on impactful initiatives that bridge research and clinical application, particularly in foot and ankle orthopedics, an area I am deeply interested in.

During my time at FARIL, I have had the opportunity to engage in projects exploring the role of social determinants of health in orthopedic outcomes, which has connected my interest in health equity with tangible clinical questions. Additionally, having contributed to outcomes studies analyzing patient care trends has helped me develop a nuanced understanding of how value-based medicine can improve orthopedic practices. Being introduced to cadaver studies and industry-sponsored research has also broadened my skill set, providing hands-on experience and insight into how innovation in orthopedics takes shape from early-stage investigation to clinical application. These diverse opportunities have not only refined my technical and analytical skills but have also deepened my understanding of how research can drive meaningful advancements in patient care.

What truly sets FARIL apart is the mentorship and culture cultivated by its leadership and team. Their guidance has been instrumental in shaping my growth as a researcher, offering insights that have helped me navigate complex projects and collaborate with experts in the field. Through their support, I’ve been introduced to key collaborators and provided with access to unique opportunities, including partnerships with external organizations that have enriched my learning and broadened my professional network. At the same time, the lab fosters an environment of inclusivity and shared purpose, where every challenge is an opportunity to learn and every success is a shared accomplishment. The genuine support and camaraderie among the team have made my time at FARIL deeply inspiring and rewarding.

Looking ahead, I am excited to continue working with FARIL and contributing to advancements in the field of foot and ankle orthopedics. I am eager to explore new ideas, push the boundaries of innovation, and collaborate with this exceptional team to drive transformative change in orthopedic care. FARIL has given me the tools, mentorship, and opportunities to grow, and I look forward to building on this foundation to make meaningful contributions to the field.

Bo Pilarczyk

August 8, 2024

Having just completed my first year of undergraduate, I came into FARIL as a summer intern still uncertain if biomedical or mechanical engineering is the “correct” path for me in school. Over the course of the past two months, however, the hands-on and immersive environment at the lab has given me a sense of clarity and a more priceless experience than I could have imagined.

 The mindset at FARIL is so that everyone can achieve their highest ambitions and their best selves. During my time here, I joined on various projects that broadened my understanding of the interdisciplinary relationship between engineering and medicine. Much of my time was dedicated to manufacturing a weight-bearing simulating device alongside one of the engineers at FARIL. Through this project, I was able to see the tangible applications of engineering, while learning valuable skills including computer-aided design that were used to further the prototype. It was projects like this and learning from the mentors at FARIL that allowed me to truly internalize what it means to be an engineer–a piece of clarity that allows me to decide upon mechanical engineering in my academic pursuits with certainty.

 Beyond this, I am most grateful for the people I have met at FARIL. “Innovation” is more accurate than just its title in the FARIL abbreviation. I felt driven by every single person around me as I came into the lab each day; each member of the team is highly talented, working on projects that are changing the medical industry. More than that, however, they are kind. The supportive environment at the lab is unlike anything I have experienced before. People at FARIL are willing to teach, willing to learn, and encouraging while doing so. It is this genuine kindness that I feel sets apart FARIL as a research center, and makes me so excited to continue working with this special lab.

Moving forward, I look forward to continuing to learn valuable industry skills like finite element analysis and working on innovative projects such as orthopedic AI training models. The breadth of research interests that I am able to cultivate while working at FARIL enriches my ability to apply myself to this ever-growing industry. I feel very grateful for this opportunity, the research I have been able to conduct here, and the people I have met while doing so.

Vasundhara Mathur

April 23, 2024

During my time at FARIL, I was encouraged to delve into a wide variety of studies, each with its unique challenges and learning opportunities. From the intricacies of observational research to the rigors of clinical trials, every project facilitated my growth as a surgeon-scientist. The experience was made richer by the opportunities to collaborate with trainees and experts from around the world, many of whom have become cherished mentors and life-long friends. FARIL embodies a melting pot where surgical experience and innovative thinking converge seamlessly in the pursuit of meaningful research. And has undoubtedly been an important stepping stone toward fulfilling my professional goals.

Jack Woodrow

November 30, 2023

This past summer, I was given the opportunity to travel to Weston, MA to complete my research rotation at FARIL. What impressed me the most was how dedicated all of the researchers at FARIL were to both advancing the current understanding of medicine and sharing their knowledge about the clinical practice of medicine. From learning how to perform a bunion correction surgery to coding in a new programing language, all it took was a question and the staff at FARIL were ready to teach. Over the summer, my research projects involved analyzing x-rays of ankle syndesmosis injuries, uncovering socioeconomic disparities in ankle osteochondral lesions, and evaluating the proficiency of artificial intelligence in scientific writing. I’m deeply thankful for FARIL’s support and allowing me to continue my work virtually during the academic year, and I eagerly anticipate the many new projects that lie ahead.

Mani Eftekhari

November 29, 2023

At FARIL, I greatly enjoy collaborating with and learning from the surgeons, whether in cadaveric labs, clinics, or while conducting research on foot or ankle surgery. I work on surgical review papers regarding minimally invasive procedures and long-term projects such as FIXUS AI for fifth metatarsal fractures.

Tyler Shin

November 21, 2023

During my academic career, I had a chance to create a sensor-based device that detects elbow rigidity, one of the early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, using MATLAB code and a triaxial accelerometer as part of the project. To broaden my knowledge in the medical field, I enrolled in a Clinical Observation Design Experience class at Georgia Tech last semester, attending approximately eight hours of shifts per week in area emergency departments (ED), including those at Emory Healthcare sites and Grady Memorial Hospital, to identify and solve problems in ED. My work experience includes a role as a research intern at a biomedical engineering start-up, where I developed an algorithm using MATLAB for gait analysis and golf swings and researched Gait Analysis/Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) by analyzing preceding research. This experience deepened my interest in biomedical research on gait analysis, human movement, and orthopaedic surgery. Additionally, as I have had some research and project experiences related to human movement and gait, I wanted to conduct numerous medical research projects to improve human welfare. I felt FARIL’s mission and specialty closely aligned with my experiences and aspirations. Therefore, I aimed to expand my knowledge and perspective in the medical field in a hospital setting, desiring to use my medical knowledge to advance foot and ankle care for related patients, believing that FARIL was the ideal place to start this journey towards my ultimate goal.

This Summer, I contributed to various types of studies, including clinical trials, systematic reviews, retrospective studies, and case reports in orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation medicine. Although my primary role involved data analysis and cleaning using MATLAB, I engaged in diverse roles across different studies to familiarize myself with this research field and understand how research is conducted. Other roles included managing the risk of bias assessments for systematic review papers and creating tables and figures after data analysis and collection from each paper. These diverse roles and tasks enabled me to understand how research is conducted in the clinical field and fueled my interest in being involved in medical research in the future. Now, I am considering applying for a Master’s degree in biomedical informatics, so I can conduct more advanced data analysis and potentially use AI or Machine Learning for multidisciplinary research to improve patient outcomes after treatment. Lastly, every member of FARIL was incredibly kind, helpful, and warm. Their countless support at FARIL on-site allowed me to immerse myself in research, sparking an eagerness to learn. I can’t wait to return to FARIL on-site during Winter to continue learning and researching with this amazing team.

Jack Wolf

November 20, 2023

I am so grateful for having the opportunity to work with the FARIL family. I had a great experience during the summer between my first and second years of medical school and have been fortunate to be included in ongoing projects. Besides offering high-quality, innovative research, FARIL welcomes great minds from all over the planet! This gives FARIL a diverse collection of experiences and makes for an abundance of unique research pursuits. It was such a pleasure getting to know our lab mates and their stories. I was lucky enough to get to work with one of my best friends and create a project for which we can be really proud.  

Riley Baker

November 20, 2023

I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent time working with the wonderful individuals at FARIL. This lab is more than just a research powerhouse, it is a collaborative team where everyone is made to feel like family. I am beyond thankful for the work we did, the life long connections I have formed, and the personal growth I experienced. The future is bright with this group, and I look forward to changing the world of orthopaedics with them. 

Mustafa Hashmi

November 7, 2023

I wanted to further pursue my interests in both the field of orthopaedic surgery and research in general. Instead of writing articles remotely, I wanted an in-person experience to truly feel like I was an important part of the lab I was working with. FARIL provided the perfect opportunity for me, as it allowed me to gain both clinical and research experience simultaneously.

This summer, I was engaged in a diverse array of projects, including a book chapter, case series, systematic review, segmentation study, and retrospective scopic review. These novel research avenues have provided an amazing opportunity for me to develop a comprehensive understanding of the various subjects of orthopedic surgery. Moreover, my involvement with cadaver labs, facilitated by FARIL, offers a distinct and captivating experience. I have also gained lots of clinical experience by shadowing multiple orthopaedic physicians once a week. My summer experience could not have been better and has further cemented my desire and passion to pursue this field as a career.

Daniel Acevedo

November 7, 2023

FARIL is a wonderful place/experience where the only limitation to your productivity is how much work you chose to take on. I have loved my time there and only wish I had joined sooner. It is a unique place in that they have some how inexplicably managed to only affiliate with people who are brilliant, kind, and willing to teach.

Raia Schluter

August 23, 2023

This summer, I wanted to learn more about orthopedics because of my interest in sports medicine and rehabilitation and conduct research in a healthcare setting. I could not be more grateful to have been able to connect all my passions and join the FARIL team.

At FARIL, I studied Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus regarding treatment, recovery, and social determinants of health. I also spent time analyzing the effect of Deep Learning diagnostics on weight-bearing CTs for detecting Lisfranc injuries in earlier stages. FARIL allowed me to grow as an enthusiastic student with hands-on learning, such as cadaver studies, advanced technologies, such as 3D printers and medical imaging, and an infinite amount of resources. Also at FARIL, we shadowed amazing Mass General foot and ankle surgeons and observed the applications of our research as well as their exceptional care for their patients. My experience has ignited a deeper interest in advancing research and innovation within the foot and ankle orthopedic field, driven by a desire to enhance the care of future patients.

The best part of FARIL was its inclusive environment and its unmatched mentorship. Every day, there was a sense of excitement and a generation of innovative research ideas, where everyone, including undergraduates, was encouraged to collaborate. The FARIL team was comprised of brilliant researchers, but more importantly, they were extraordinary human beings with a team-first mentality. I cannot be more grateful for my summer experience at FARIL, which allowed me to excel as a researcher. Also, FARIL fueled my passion to explore research and pursue my dream of becoming a medical physician. I will continue to work with FARIL, studying the application of electrical bone stimulators on bone union complications.

Adarsh Aratikatla

August 23, 2023

I wanted to further pursue my interests in both the field of orthopaedic surgery and research in general. Instead of writing articles remotely, I wanted an in-person experience to truly feel like I was an important part of the lab I was working with. FARIL provided the perfect opportunity for me, as it allowed me to gain both clinical and research experience simultaneously.

This summer, I was engaged in a diverse array of projects, including a book chapter, case series, systematic review, segmentation study, and retrospective scopic review. These novel research avenues have provided an amazing opportunity for me to develop a comprehensive understanding of the various subjects of orthopedic surgery. Moreover, my involvement with cadaver labs, facilitated by FARIL, offers a distinct and captivating experience. I have also gained lots of clinical experience by shadowing multiple orthopaedic physicians once a week. My summer experience could not have been better and has further cemented my desire and passion to pursue this field as a career.

George Casey

August 23, 2023

I have a keen interest in embarking on a path within Orthopedic surgery and recognize the profound significance research has in the realm of medicine. Research plays a vital role in enabling healthcare professionals to determine the most effective approaches for treating patients in specific scenarios. For example, in one of the research projects I am working on, we are trying to develop an AI system that is capable of diagnosing lateral process fractures of the talus using plain X-ray images. This project will be extremely beneficial as lateral process fractures are very uncommon and are easily misdiagnosed as ankle sprains. A system that can easily detect these fractures will help prevent long-term patient complications. 

This coming summer I will be participating in clinical research at Mass General Hospital’s Research Institute working under Dr. Soheil Ashkani-Esfahani and his team of researchers. I will be working in the Foot & Ankle Research and Innovation Laboratory (FARIL). The research conducted in this lab is focused on improving medicine, specifically in areas of artificial intelligence, bioengineering, diagnostic imaging, mesenchymal stem cells, and Orthopedic surgery. Dr. Ashkani’s lab is a perfect example of how research improves the treatments and procedures for actual patients. Most of my time will be spent focusing on a few clinical research projects, working to collect and analyze data and draft manuscripts. I will be tasked with doing background reading after weekly meetings to determine if new project ideas are feasible. I will also be offered exposure in the clinic and operating room, shadowing various MGH Orthopedic surgeons. I am interested in pursuing a career in Orthopedic surgery and understand how beneficial and impactful research is in the medical field. It allows healthcare providers to decide how best to treat their patients in certain situations and is responsible for new medicines, techniques, and tools that are applied in the medical field.