David Vader

Current

• Research Assistant at Harvard University

Past

• Visiting scientist at EPFL
• Teaching Assistant at Harvard University
• Research consultant at Children's Hospital Boston

• Research assistant at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
• intern at Institut universitaire de radiophysique appliquée

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2 more...

Education

• Harvard University
• Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
• Gymnase Auguste Picard

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Connections

132 connections

Industry

Medical Devices

Websites

• My research
• My Blog

David Vader’s Summary

Currently on the final stretch of my doctoral studies at Harvard University (Cambridge, MA, USA) at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, I wish to apply the skills I've learned throughout my PhD career to product development and breakthrough technologies in the medical device and/or biomedical imaging industry.

During my master's thesis, I co-designed, produced and conducted preliminary tests on, a rapid prototype of a biomechanical device to load the intervertebral disc while imaging it through NMR.
During my PhD program, I have been focusing on the mechanical interactions of individual cells with a three-dimensional collagen matrix. Along the way, I have used models typically applied to macroscopic beams, to understand how microscopic collagen fibrils bend, stretch and align.

I am currently looking for full-time positions as of October 1st 2009, primarily in the Boston area, where I can apply the valuable analytical skills and teamwork experience gained during my doctorate at Harvard University.

David Vader’s Specialties:

particle tracking, fiber tracking, medical imaging, image processing, bulk rheology, confocal and video microscopy, cell culture, magnetic tweezers

David Vader’s Experience

• Research Assistant

  Harvard University

  (Educational Institution; 10,001 or more employees; Higher Education industry)

  September 2003 — Present (6 years 4 months)

• Visiting scientist

  EPFL

  (Educational Institution; 1001-5000 employees; EPFL; Research industry)

  2006 — 2006 (less than a year)

• Teaching Assistant

  Harvard University

  (Medical Devices industry)

  September 2004 — January 2005 (5 months)

  Course: applied statistics for engineering undergraduates.
  Led discussions and provided tutorials for 10-15 students.
  Nominated by students for departmental award of excellence in teaching.

• Research consultant

  Children's Hospital Boston

  (Non-Profit; 5001-10,000 employees; Hospital & Health Care industry)

  April 2003 — September 2003 (6 months)

  Co-designed and performed mechanical tests of various constructs aimed to correct scoliosis (spinal deformation) in children. Test results published in Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques.

• Research assistant

  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

  (Medical Devices industry)

  2002 — 2003 (1 year )

• intern

  Institut universitaire de radiophysique appliquée

  (Medical Devices industry)

  2001 — 2002 (1 year )

David Vader’s Education

• Harvard University

  2003 — 2009

• Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne

  Master's , Applied Physics , 1998 — 2003

  For my thesis work, I co-designed and produced, within budgetary constraints, a rapid prototype of a biomechanical device aimed at loading the intervertebral disc while imaging it via NMR.

• Gymnase Auguste Picard

  High school diploma , Latin, Greek, Math & Physics , 1994 — 1997

  Advanced program combining classics (Latin, Greek) with advanced science classes

Additional Information

David Vader’s Websites:

• My research
• My Blog

David Vader’s Groups:

American Society of Cell Biology (ASCB)
European Society of Biomechanics
Biophysical Society
New England Complex Fluids
Harvard Biotechnology Club
Baha'i Community

•    EPFL Alumni
•    Image Processing Interest Group
•    Medical Device Link
•    Harvard University Alumni
•    Switzerland
•    Medical Imaging Network
•    Swiss-American
•    Medical Device Professionals Network
•    Medical Device Opportunity
•    Medical Image Processing
•    MedBio Connect
•    Aspiring medical device professionals
•    Life Sciences Professional Network
•    Baha'i Professionals Career Development
•    Career Seasons

David Vader’s Honors:

NSF biomechanics training grant, 2007-2008
Swiss National Science Foundation fellowship for research abroad, 2006-2007
Nomination for excellence in teaching: applied statistics for undergrads at Harvard University, fall 2005
NSF biomechanics training grant, 2005-2006
Dr. Max Hussman Stiftung scholarship for study abroad (Waterloo, Canada), 2000-2001

David Vader’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

• career opportunities
• consulting offers
• new ventures
• expertise requests
• reference requests
• getting back in touch