Hey, I'm Dakota
Electrical & Biomedical Engineering student at McMaster University, crafting the future through FPGA design, embedded systems, and biomedical innovation.
Engineering the intersection of hardware and biology
I'm a fourth-year Electrical and Biomedical Engineering student at McMaster University, passionate about developing technology that bridges the gap between digital systems and human health.
My journey spans from designing FPGA-based video processing systems at Evertz Microsystems to leading the electrical team on the McMaster Exoskeleton project. I thrive at the intersection of hardware design, embedded systems, and biomedical applications.
When I'm not debugging VHDL or designing circuits, you'll find me mentoring fellow students as an ECE Ambassador or exploring new technologies that can make a meaningful impact on healthcare.
FPGA Development
Real-time video signal processing and system architecture design
Biomedical Research
COVID-19 biosensor development using electrochemical methods
Team Leadership
Leading 20+ engineers on the McMaster Exoskeleton project
Technical Skills
Languages
Hardware & Tools
Domains
McMaster University
B.Eng.BME — Electrical & Biomedical
GPA: 3.92/4.0
Where I've contributed
Engineering Intern
Stryker — Burnaby, BC
- Working on surgical visualization equipment at Stryker's Endoscopy Division
- Contributing to the development of leading-edge medical devices for operating rooms
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams on product design and verification
Hardware Verification Engineering Intern
Pulsenics — Toronto, ON
- Developed and executed comprehensive test strategies for electrical hardware validation
- Performed verification of hardware components for EMC, safety, and environmental compliance
- Assembled prototypes and conducted testing for new electronic and mechanical designs
- Contributed to electrochemical technology systems for industrial decarbonization applications
Electrical Team Lead
McMaster Exoskeleton
- Lead and mentor a team of 20 members, creating project timelines and conducting technical workshops
- Design electrical subsystems including component selection for sensors, motors, batteries, and processors
- Implement safety subsystems with fault detection mechanisms to protect users and device components
FPGA Design Intern
Evertz Microsystems
- Developed VHDL code for FPGA-based Multiviewer product, enhancing video processing and system efficiency
- Collaborated with senior engineers to design, simulate, and verify FPGA modules for real-time video signal processing
- Integrated FPGA modules within larger system architecture, ensuring seamless hardware-software interaction
Research Assistant
Soleymani Lab — McMaster
- Developed bio-sensing platforms through electrochemical methods for COVID-19 detection
- Utilized aptamer-based assays on gold-plated electrodes to detect spike proteins via impedance measurement
- Conducted 100+ experiments across five projects, ensuring accurate data collection and analysis
Projects that define me
From embedded systems to biomedical research, here are some projects that showcase my passion for engineering solutions.
Spatial Mapping System
Real-time 3D spatial mapping system using Time-of-Flight sensors and Texas Instruments microprocessors. Configured GPIO, serial communication, and ADC for motor control and TOF data acquisition.
Colorectal Cancer Detection Circuit
Synthetic biology circuit design for early colorectal cancer detection using biological AND gates and fluorescent protein synthesis triggered by cancer biomarkers.
Exoskeleton Power System
Comprehensive power delivery and safety system design for the McMaster Exoskeleton project, optimizing performance while maintaining strict safety constraints.
Let's build something together
I'm always open to discussing new opportunities, collaborations, or just having a conversation about engineering and technology.