Engineering: Loralai Crawford '24/Take5 '25

Major(s) and minor(s)

BS in biomedical engineering

Hometown

Wellsville, NY

Areas of interest/focus in research

Trauma Triage, Small Intestine Structure, Pectus Excavatum and Carinatum

As an undergraduate research assistant, I work on a few different projects. When I first began research, I worked on a project titled “Decision Support Tool for Triage of Trauma Patients: Using Machine Learning to Take the Complexity out of Trauma Triage.” This year, the objective of one of my current projects is to develop a comprehensive digital tool for modeling the structure and function of the small intestine. Additionally, I currently am laying the groundwork for a new project on pectus excavatum and carinatum.

Labs / departments / offsite programs where research was conducted

The Wilson ECLIPSe (Engineering and Clinical Laboratory for Innovation in Pediatric Surgery) Lab in the Department of Pediatric Surgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The lab team is multidisciplinary and pulls together a unique team of biomedical engineers, general surgery residents, and clinicians.

https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/labs/eclipse.aspx

About me...

Hi there! My name is Loralai, and I am a junior majoring in Biomedical Engineering on the Biomechanics and Pre-medicine tracks. I am a Take Five Scholar, studying “Preaching Christianity,” and will graduate in 2025. I am from Wellsville, NY and I spend my summers in northern Pennsylvania working as a summer camp counselor. I love the countryside, cooking with my mom, building furniture with my dad, and scream-singing Taylor Swift with my younger sister.

How has your experience as a researcher influenced your career objectives?

As a BME student, I learn a lot about how to analyze mechanical systems but have limited opportunities to apply the knowledge I learn in the classroom. My research has given me the opportunity to apply this knowledge in a clinical setting, furthering my passion for medicine outside of the premedical course requirements.

Campus organizations, programs, activities, clubs, awards/distinctions

Discover Grant Recipient, Alpha Phi, Order of Omega, CRU, Resident Assistant in Gilbert Hall

Fun Fact: when I'm not doing research you can usually find me...

...in a hammock in the woods or outside of Munro, at the high-top tables in Q & I with notes sprawled all over the place, or on the Alpha Phi floor.

Areas where I may be particularly helpful

I can be particularly helpful with Discover Grant writing or as a peer reviewer for poster presentations. I also have a wealth of knowledge about balancing engineering and medicine workloads and course schedules, and I am more than happy to share that information!

What advice do you have for prospective or new researchers?

Take advantage of every opportunity and resource you can. As University of Rochester students, we have a lot of departments and resources at our disposal. Use them to help further your goals, that’s what they are here for!

If you are thinking about pursuing research or want more information, I am more than happy to talk with you! Email me at lcrawfo5@u.rochester.edu.