Fischell Foundry intern awarded ASPIRE scholarship to advance biomedical engineering projects

Jai Vaichalkar, a junior bioengineering student and Fischell Foundry intern, was awarded a fall 2024 ASPIRE scholarship. Presented by the Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (Mtech), the award supports research opportunities for students to collaborate with engineering faculty on industry-relevant projects.

The ASPIRE award includes a $1,200 stipend per semester for each project. Students are encouraged to present their work during the university’s Undergraduate Research Day in April.

“The award inspired me to chase my dream of becoming a biomedical engineer,” Vaichalkar said.

Vaichalkar collaborated with Fischell Foundry engineer Quinn Burke on a project to improve respirator fit for the general population. As a part of this work, Vaichalkar aimed to establish a relationship between different facial anatomies and how they impact the effectiveness of respirators and masks.

“With new diseases and viruses emerging every day, as seen with COVID-19, it is incredibly important for respirators and masks to function effectively across diverse facial geometries,” Vaichalkar said. “In times of outbreaks, public safety depends on inclusive designs that address a wide range of needs.”

For the project, Vaichalkar designed models to simulate key facial parameters, including nasal protrusion, nasal breadth, and nasal root breadth. He then evaluated how these variations impacted respirator fit.

“I am excited to see how the data I’ve collected will propel the project forward, paving the way for advancements in respirator design,” he said.

After completing his undergraduate degree, Vaichalkar hopes to participate in the Fischell Institute and the MPower Entrepreneurship Fellowship Program. Through the fellowship, he would gain hands-on experience building and commercializing biomedical devices and receive mentorship from the Fischell Foundry. In the future, he aims to work for a biomedical device company designing affordable and effective devices that meet the needs of diverse populations.

Outside of academics, Vaichalkar is active in the ClarkLEADERS program, where he mentors first-year engineering students and helps them transition to college life. He also enjoys playing tennis, ping-pong, and fencing.

Published January 17, 2025