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INTRO

XINTONG (ELLA) LU

Professional biomedical engineering and biostatistics scholar; amateur writer, designers, and religious studies enthusiast.

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“专业的生物工程与分析统计学者，与业余的作家，设计师与宗教研究爱好者。”

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Biomedical Engineering & Statistic 

Project: Investigated the correlation between cardiac arrest and CPR​

February 2021 - June 2022

  • Researched various brain metrics during cardiac arrest (i.e. cerebral blood flow & oxygen metabolism)

  • Combined the multimodal data (i.e. EEG, ECG, blood pressure, etc.) and related info (EEG markers, behavioral test results, histology, etc.) to conclude the relation between the metrics and the CPR results

  • Cerebral hypoxia—the longer period for cerebral hypoxia, the more likely for coma & brain damage

  • Oxygen metabolism—lack of oxygen supply leads to neuronal cell death & irreversible brain damage

  • Performed data analysis of the mice’s performances during cardiac arrest to improve CPR effectiveness

  • Quantified CPR effectiveness and applied data in mice experiment as a guide to improve CPR for human

  • Designed optimal CPR for cardiac arrest patients in different scenarios (i.e. hospital, home & street, etc.)

Degisn: A novel feeding device for premature newborns

September 2021 - June 2022

  • Designed and developed a new feeding device for preterm infants: a combination of injection and pacifier feeding

  • Assist in conceptual design of product prototypes, 3D modeling, material selection and engineering analysis

  • Supervise and control the prototype testing of products, record relevant data and ensure the smooth running of experiments

  • Assist in completing market research related to the maternal and child product market and help in writing business reports and market demand models

  • The product prototype successfully enables a quick switch between bottle-syringe syringe, which helps nurses reduce possible bacterial contamination and loss of ingredients when feeding premature babies.

  • For product details visit the website at：

Project: Stem Cell Therapy for Malignant Diseases​

June 2020 - September 2020

  • Conducted literature review to develop a deep and overall insight on stem cell research and clinical studies for further experiment

  • Carried out experiment with the R&D department

    • Collaborated with team members to design the experiment to clarify the goals and procedures

    • Extracted Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hUC-MSC) for further experiment

    • Performed experiment to observe therapeutic effects of hUC-MSC on rheumatic arthritis (RA)

    • Applied quantitative and qualitative skills to analyze the experimental data and identify problems

    • Compared curative & side effects of hUC-MSC based product candidates and current RA treatment

  • Assisted with experiment-related paperwork

    • Recorded the key data and progress of the experiment and operating data of the lab equipment

    • Performed management of the experimental samples and preservation records of relevant data

    • Wrote an experimental report to summarize progress & problems and briefed the project leader

Project: CAR-T cells targeted by mechanical/ biophysical cues​

September 2019 - December 2020

  •  Assisted with experiment of CAR-T cells targeted by mechanical/ biophysical cues

    • Analyzed the biggest problem for immunotherapy in tumor treatment— “on target-off tumor” effects

    • Determined to apply the unique mechanical properties of tumor nodules on CAR-T cells, follow a new approach to target directly the existing biophysical cues, and develop a new drug to achieve precise targeting

  •  Researched biophysical properties of malignant tumors: especially the formation of tumor sclerosis and fibrosis

  •  Observed the changes of immune cells, especially CAR-T cells, in the tumor microenvironment— How immune cells target cancerous tissues, how the environment affects differentiation of immune cells, & pathway of the cells

Project: Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Drugs

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June 2019 - September 2020

  • Designed and conducted experiment for the Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Drugs at Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

  • Assisted with R&D experiment of a therapeutic drug for malignant tumors during the in vivo phase

  • Recorded the proliferation and differentiation of tumors at different stages in mice for further analysis

  • Observed the drug’s therapeutic & sides effects in mice; tested the effectiveness with different doses

ACADEMIC WRITING

Writing, Thinking, and Religious Philosophy 

Culture and Horror: Urban Legends in Asian Contexts​

A documentary interview about the localized urban legends in China and the cultural discussions under the cloak of horror

Abstract:

When we look to the Asian continent, its distinctive fantasy horror elements are often
the key to contemporary urban legends. In China itself, even though most people claim not to believe in religion, we find that traditional Taoism and Buddhism still play a significant part in the culture and society, and this influence is implicitly reflected in the urban legends of China's homeland since the founding of the new China. In this interview and analysis, I focus on finding common elements in Chinese urban legends and consider their connections to Asian religions and social taboos. In conclusion, due to the complex religious systems and cultural roots of Asia, social taboos are reflected in both urban legends and people's attitudes toward them. Cultural influences and similarities can be found in common horror elements. I believe that this connection is worthy of discussion and analysis, and may lead to additional thoughts about the impact of urban legends on modern society.

Full-Article:

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Compromise with Life: The Contradiction between Women's Image in Jainism Doctrine and in Life​

An analytical papers target Manisha Sethi’s article “Chastity and desire: representing women in Jainism” and Knut Aukland in his paper “How to Study Jainism? Constructing 'Jainism' as an Object of Study” 

Abstract:

In Manisha Sethi’s article “Chastity and desire: representing women in Jainism”, she analyzes in depth the image of women in Jainism based on scripture and religious stories. On the one hand, Jainism recognizes women's ability to seek salvation through asceticism, but on the other hand, the text and story are filled with a great deal of misogynistic depictions. Meanwhile, Knut Aukland in his paper “How to Study Jainism? Constructing 'Jainism' as an Object of Study” mentions a contradictory point that exists in the study of Jainism, that is, by different methodologies, one may reach very different, even contradictory, conclusions about Jainism. These two seemingly unrelated theories somehow share a striking similarity. Therefore, in this article, by comparing and analyzing positioning and portrayal of women in the Jain tradition through different methodological approaches, I will argue that Sethi's framework of the women as both salvation sakers and temptress demonstrate the inconsistency between textual and anthropology methods in study of Jainism mentioned by Knut Aukland. The contradictions in Jainism reflect an aspect of religious functionalism, which is how religious practices and teachings adapt to society in response to the changing of the times.

Full-Article:

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Behind the Irvine 11 Case: The Potential Hostility of "Mainstream" American Culture toward Islam

A cultural analysis of the religious orientation behind a specific case

Abstract:

The Irvine 11 decision is one of the most controversial cases of the twentieth century. Some believe it symbolizes a further loss of voice in political issues for American minorities, especially the Muslim community. In this essay, the course of Irvine 11 will be reviewed in the context of the history of Arabs and Muslims in the United States, especially in the aftermath of 9-11, to explore the fear of Islam that has characterized mainstream America for decades. It will
explore how this bias and discrimination, reflected in public policy, has affected the credibility of the government and the Arab and Muslim communities in the United States to varying degrees.

Full-Article:

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Power Inequalities for Women in Politics: from Historical Gender Socialization to Contemporary Formal Constraints

An interpretation and analysis of the causes of a sociological phenomenon

Abstract:

Over the past century, the status of women has improved considerably. However, gender imbalance still exists in many areas, especially in politics. Gender stereotypes, limited time for women to participate in politics, and unequal policies for men and women can be institutional constraints on women's political participation. A number of policies have been developed to address this issue. Political gender quotas have had some degree of success in some countries, but long-standing stereotypes persist. Taken together, we believe that inequalities in power can be changed through certain interventions with long-term effects that ultimately minimize gender imbalances and formal constraints.

Full-Article:

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Addressing Low Women's Political Participation in China: Proposals to Increasing Motivation and Improving Current Policies

A proposal to increase the possibilities of women's political participation

Abstract:

 In the last fifty years, the level of women's political participation worldwide has increased significantly. Many countries have experienced the emergence of women leaders, who are playing an increasingly important role in various fields. However, compared to Third World countries where the affirmative/feminist movement started later, the issue of increasing women's political participation cannot be judged only by the developed world. This paper will use China as an example to discuss the issue of women in politics participation in third world countries. 

Full-Article:

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FUN FACT:
The symbol 
 

used in decoration means 

Thoth, the god of wisdom in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics —— the language which I start to learn since high school.

EDUCATION

My Schooling

University of California, Irvine 
B.S. in Biomedical Engineering
Minor in Religious Studies

  • Dean's Honor List for the College of Engineering for three years 

  • 2020-21 Promise Award in Religious Study

Core Courses: Basic Economics, Multivariable Calculus, Classical Physics, General Chemistry, EAD: Data Analysis, EAD: Data Acquisition, Elementary Differential Equations, Biological Statistics, Epidemiology, Cell and Molecular Engineering, Biomedical Signals and Systems, Biomechanics, Design of Biomaterials

Yale University  
MPH in Biostatistics

  • Horstmann Scholarship Award

Core Courses:  Probability Modeling and Statistics, Modeling Managerial Decisions, Introduction to Negotiation, Probability Theory, Advanced Regression Models, Advanced Statistical Programming, Longitudinal and Multilevel Data Analysis, Survival Analysis, Statistical Practice, Epidemiology and Public Health, Health Policy and Health Care Systems, Social Justice and Health Equity, 

DESIGN

In Both Academic and Life

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