​​​​Ben Tomka​

My name is Ben Tomka and I am a final-year undergraduate Co-Op student at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. I am pursuing a degree in Biomedical and Mechatronics Engineering and will graduate in 2025. My coursework includes biomedical instrumentation, analog and digital circuits, biomechanics, computer programming (C and Python), and software development using MATLAB Simulink and Python. Additionally, I have taken biomedical design, which emphasized the engineering design process alongside materials science and computer-aided design. Throughout my time at McMaster, I have worked on various hands-on projects, including designing a hip prosthesis, developing a pacemaker prototype, sequential logic design projects, and creating a prosthetic hand.

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Beyond academics, sports have been a significant part of my life. I have actively participated in hockey, golf, tennis, and swimming. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, hiking, and spending quality time with friends and family.

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My most recent work experience was as a Mechatronics Engineering Co-op at ViVitro Labs in Victoria, BC. Over a 4-month term, I contributed to the design and development of a magnetic flowmeter proof-of-concept to accurately capture pulsatile flow velocities in cardiovascular simulators. Prior to this, I completed a 12-month internship as a Data Engineering Intern at Abbott Laboratories in the Point of Care division. In this role, I developed software to support the manufacturing of microchips used to detect various substances in blood. Key projects included integrating new sensors onto existing automation platforms and improving visual inspection software to ensure quality and consistency within a regulated FDA environment.

Previously, during another co-op term at ViVitro Labs, I worked as a Mechanical Engineering Co-op on the Product Development team. My responsibilities included assisting in the design, development, and testing of heart valve durability testers.

 

In my earlier co-op terms, I worked in the cardiovascular research lab of Dr. Zahra K. Motamed (motamedlab.com). This lab investigates the biomechanical effects of cardiovascular diseases and explores intervention methods. Since May 2020, I have continued this role part-time, conducting extensive cardiovascular literature reviews and contributing to several research papers, four of which have been published. I have also played a key role in developing and tuning a patient-specific cardiac simulator, which incorporates sensors, 3D-printed cardiovascular anatomy, and various other components to model systemic circulation.

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I aspire to build a career in biomedical engineering, with interests spanning mechanical, electrical, and software applications. I am particularly drawn to the development of medical and assistive devices, whether they are purely mechanical or integrate mechatronic systems.