About Me

Enthusiastic and empathetic systems engineer in med devices with a biomedical engineering background from Johns Hopkins. Interested in neural prosthetics and interfaces.

BACKGROUND in neuroscience, signal processing, machine learning, and imaging instrumentation.
SKILLED in Mandarin Chinese, programming (Python, Java, MATLAB, Unix), web development (HTML, CSS), database management (SQL), software development (C#, Xaml), communication, and leadership development.
EXPERIENCED in collaborative research, counseling and educational leadership, and the workplace.
INTERESTED in comedy and cooking.

Contact Details

Ben Straus (he/him)
Systems Engineer II, Medtronic Minneapolis, MN
ben at bstraus dot com

Education

Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD)

Bachelor & Master of Science Degree • Jun 2021

  • Major: Biomedical Engineering (Neuroengineering Focus)
  • Courses: Neuro-engineering Lab, Imaging and Optics Instrumentation, Signal Processing, Data Science, Machine Learning, Mastering Electronics, Cardiology, Chinese
  • Honor Societies: Tau Beta Pi (Engineering), Alpha Eta Mu Beta (Biomedical Engineering), Omicron Delta Kappa (Leadership)

    • Donghua University (Shanghai, China)

    Study Abroad• June 2019 - August 2019

  • Studied Chinese and International Marketing with CET Academic Programs
  • Marketing Project: Conducted company business analysis (including SWOT, 5Cs, and 4Ps)
  • Wrote blogs to reflect on my program. Selected from 20 candidates by CET as July’s featured blog

    • Oakwood School (North Hollywood, CA)

    High School Diploma • September 2013 - June 2017

  • Advanced and honors courses: computer science, Mandarin Chinese, mathematics, science, web design, 3D printing, literature, history

    • Work

    Medtronic

    Systems Engineer II (Minneapolis, MN)• Mar 2021 - Present

  • Systems level design and testing of medical devices for integration, verification, and validation.

    • Longeviti Neuro Solutions

    Engineer Intern (Baltimore, MD)• Summer 2020

  • Researched alternative neural activity simulation models, established criteria, compared alternatives, and recommended simulation for medical device verification and validation
  • Implemented three neural models in MATLAB and Python; Documented next steps for development
  • Planned and executed an electrical solution to observe a ground truth signal from neural simulation hardware for implantable neuro device performance bench testing

    • Xixilab

    Marketing and Operations Intern at Direct-to-Consumer Teeth Straightening Startup (Shanghai, China)• Summer 2019

  • Analyzed customer demographics data to create and manage Google and Facebook ads resulting in over 2 times more quality customer leads
  • Alleviated burden of increased leads by observing clinical relations and optimizing processes

    • Entertainment Earth

    Software Development Intern (Simi Valley, CA)• Summer 2018

  • Served on a team of 7 in an Agile software development process consisting of daily scrum, bi-weekly sprint planning, and code-reviews
  • Designed and created a cross-platform mobile app with C#, Xaml to promote sales on products
  • Overcame data access issue by writing microservices with .NET Core for the mobile application
  • Created company dashboards with data from SQL and Microsoft Power BI visuals

    • MoTrack Therapy

    Computer Vision Intern at Improved Physical Therapy Solution Startup (Baltimore, MD)• February 2018 - June 2018

  • Collaborated with a team of recent Hopkins graduates to develop programs using computer vision algorithms leading to release of mobile app used by patients on their smartphones
  • Drafted business plans and clinical strategies during team meetings
    • Find out more!

    Research

    Johns Hopkins University, Lab of Auditory Neurophysiology

    Biomedical Researcher: Data Sorting & Analysis • September 2019 - Present

  • Sorted neuron spike data using feature analysis for further research
  • Designed experiments to study how primate vocalizations are encoded in the auditory cortex

    • Johns Hopkins University, Biomedical Engineering Department

    Software and Signal Processing Lead for Dementia-Focused Hearing Loss Solution Design Team • April 2019 - Present

  • Identified largest modifiable risk factor for dementia resulting in our hearing loss solution
  • Implemented the design process to ideate, model and prototype, test, and verify our solution

    • Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Alex Spector

    Biomedical Researcher: Mathematical Modeling of Cochlear Hair Cell Regeneration• September 2018 - June 2019

  • Assisted Dr. Alex Spector to derive cell differentiation models for hearing loss research
  • Discovered conditions for cell regeneration through computational and analytical analysis of models

    • Caltech, National Science Foundation, Centers for Chemical Innovation

    Student Researcher: Solar Cell Project with Caltech Graduates • September 2014 - June 2017

  • Designed a novel testing process to analyze chemical catalysts for the creation of a renewable energy resource
  • Presented the new method to 150 other researchers at Caltech

    • Leadership and Volunteer Experience

    Johns Hopkins University, Biophysics Department

    Introduction to Computing Course Teaching Assistant• September 2018 - Present

  • Assist students with in class practice, grade homework, provide feedback, and address questions
  • Collaborate with professor to improve course and optimize student learning

    • Johns Hopkins University

    Producer of Throat Culture Sketch Comedy Troupe• September 2017 - Present

  • Manage props, costumes, and other logistics; coordinate with 14 students to write/direct/act in 3 shows per semester

    • Camp Alonim, American Jewish University

    Overnight Counselor• Seasonal: 2016, 2017, 2018

  • Wrote, planned, and facilitated custom team building programs and activities for 14 campers, ages 6 to 13, that resulted in camper growth and community bonding centered around Jewish morals
  • Pioneered the curriculum for and lead a daily robotics activity for campers

    • Alizeé Restaurant at DoubleTree in Baltimore, MD

    Server & Food Prep • September 2017 - May 2018

  • Positioned as required for serving, food prep, and banquet facilitating with other servers
  • Helped organize and plan to prepare for restaurant redesign and ownership changes

    • Community Youth Partnership, Oakwood School (North Hollywood, CA)

    Teacher• September 2015 - June 2017

  • Designed, planned, and taught a weekly custom science curriculum as a team to underprivileged elementary and middle school students resulting in increased student interest in the scientific field

    • Language

    • Mandarin Chinese (Intermediate Level, Spoken & Written)

    Technical Skills

    • Project Management
    • Verification & Validation Testing
    • Computer Programming (Java, Python, Unix, MATLAB)
    • Database Management (SQL)
    • Web Development (HTML5, CSS)
    • Agile Software Development
    • Software Development (Xamarin.Forms- C# and Xaml)
    • Computer Vision (OpenCV)
    • Microservices (ASP.NET Core)
    • 3D Printing & Modeling (Simplify 3D)
    • Electrical Engineering Lab Experience
    • Writing