The World of Ashu

Papers:

1.  Chaturvedi A, Butson CR, Cooper SE, and McIntyre CC.  “Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation: Accurate Axonal Threshold Prediction with Diffusion Tensor Based Electric Field Models.”  28th IEEE EMBS Annual International Conference, Aug 30-Sept. 3, 2006, New York City, New York, USA. ✤

2.  Chaturvedi A and Lee Z.  “Three-dimensional segmentation and skeletonization to build an airway tree data structure for small animals.”  Physics in Medicine and Biology: 2005, 50(7), 1405-1419. ✤

3.  Weinberg BD, Schomisch SJ, Rahmatalla M, Finlay WH, Chaturvedi A, Wojtkiewicz GR, and Lee Z.  “Mapping of PET-measures aerosol deposition: a comparision study.”  Journal of Aerosol Science: 2005, 36(9), 1157-1176. ✤

4.  Yanof J, Haaga J, Klahr P, Bauer C, Nakamoto D, Chaturvedi A, and Bruce R.  “CT-integrated robot for interventional procedures: Preliminary experiment and computer-human interfaces.”  Computer Aided Surgery: 2002, 6(6), 352-359. ✤

Conferences:

1.  “Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation: Accurate Axonal Threshold Prediction with Diffusion Tensor Based Electric Field Models.” – 28th IEEE EMBS Annual International Conference 2006.

2.  “Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation: Accurate Axonal Threshold Prediction with Diffusion Tensor Based Electric Field Models.” – Neural Interfaces Workshop 2006.

3.  “CT Measured Motion Effects on Airway Geometry” – Case Research Showcase 2004.

4.  “Pulmonary Imaging with Co-registered PET-CT” – Case Research Showcase 2004.

5.  “Skeletonization Techniques Applied for Pulmonary Imaging” – Case Research Showcase 2003.

6.  “PET Imaging of Woodchuck Model of Hepatocellular Carcinoma” –  University Hospitals of Cleveland Cancer Research Center Retreat 2002.

7.  “CT-Integrated Stereotactic Arm for Image-guided Biopsy: Comparison of Speed and Accuracy Using Assisted and Unassisted Methods” – RSNA Conference 2001.

8.  “Computer Display with Three-axis Controller for Robotic-assisted Interventional Procedures” – RSNA Conference 2000.

9.  “Interactive Computer User Interface for Planning Robot-Assisted Biopsy” – RSNA Conference 1999.

Currently I am working on completing my Ph.D. degree in BME by spring of 2009.  My thesis topic is on “Patient-Specific Models of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in Parkinson’s Disease”.  DBS is a technique used by clinicians, where they implant electrodes in specific parts of the brain in order to stimulate it and help treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease as well as for other movement disorders.  Presently, many of the effects of DBS remain hidden, and the methods of how and why it works lack complete understanding.  In my thesis, I plan to use patient-specific modeling analysis to determine various stimulation parameter settings for DBS that would yield the best therapeutic results for each individual patient within a clinical trial.

I am currently a member of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) and IEEE, and am an active officer in the BME Graduate Student Association at Case.  I have also previously worked in industry for three years at Philips Medical Systems in their Research and Development department while being a full-time undergraduate student at Case.

In early September I presented my research at the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) conference in New York City.  I was one of 14 student paper competition finalists, and ended up winning a 3rd-place prize.  I was the only winner from North America! ✤

In my free time I’m active within my temple community in Columbus and spend time with my pet rabbit, family, and friends.  I also enjoys reading, programming, creating websites, traveling, photojournalism, and playing and singing Indian classical music.  I also enjoy cheering for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team when I get a chance, as well as for all the Cleveland professional sports teams.

Lately my research has involved modeling the corticospinal tract (CST) fibers, which are axons running from the motor areas of the brain all the way down to muscles that they innervate.  The target of our electrical stimulation is the subthalamic nucleus (STN) which lies in close proximity to these fiber tracts.  Activating these fibers can cause noticeable side-effects in the patient.  Thus, analyzing the activation of these CST fibers can prove to be a valuable asset in our modeling studies.  An example of some anatomical and electrical FEM models that I deal with are shown below.