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CV

Ben Tomka

 

E-mail: tomkab@mcmaster.ca

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bentomka/

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Education
McMaster University

2019 - 2025

Biomedical & Mechatronics Engineering

Work Experience
Mechatronics Engineering Co-op - ViVitro Labs

​May 2024 - August 2024

 

  • Developed and integrated the electronic, mechanical, and signal processing systems for a magnetic flowmeter.

  • Designed prototypes and tested the mechanical and electronic systems, identifying and analyzing root causes of issues to implement design improvements and enhance product reliability.

Data Engineering Intern - Abbott Point of Care

​September 2022 - August 2023

 

  • Assisted in software development for the manufacturing of micro-dispensed membranes on semiconductor wafers

  • Architected and developed new software onto existing automation platforms to integrate measurement sensors for product inspection

  • Designed and implemented visual inspection software to ensure product quality and consistency

  • Validated and documented new equipment and processes in an FDA-regulated environment

Mechanical Engineering Co-op - ViVitro Labs

​May 2022 - August 2022

 

  • Assembled and tested heart valve testing devices to ensure specifications and requirements were met

  • Designed and assembled mechanical components as required

  • Assisted the R&D team to design and perform experiments to determine the solution space and to select the most appropriate path forward to a great product

  • Designed subsystems/systems according to design control procedures

  • Transfered design to manufacturing and assist with manufacturing validations

  • Assisted the R&D team in the analysis of problems to determine root causes

 
Research Assistant - McMaster University 
May 2020 - Present

 

  • Studied the biomechanical effects of several cardiovascular diseases and investigated intervention methods

  • Analyzed images that highlighting biomechanical metrics of blood flow

  • Statistical analysis of various parameters among large groups of patients

  • Interpretation of patient biomechanical data and connected it to the potential onset of cardiovascular disease

  • Assisted in developing and running a patient-specific cardiac simulator

  • Analyzed and reviewed published research papers

  • Assisted in writing and reviewing several papers in Dr. Zahra K. Motamed's Cardiovascular Research Lab

STEM Tutor - Paper

​May 2021 - August 2021

 

  • Tutored students in elementary through secondary school in a variety of STEM subjects through an online platform

Software

C/C++

Python

MatLab

MatLab Simulink

LabView

Autodesk Inventor

SolidWorks

XML

Microsoft Office

Maple

Verilog

Skills

Organization

  • Balancing lectures, labs, and tutorials in school as well as various assessments, projects, and assignments while contributing hours as a research assistant.

Teamwork

  • Collaborated with other students for many university projects

  • Participated on a team playing hockey from 2005-2019 as well as curling, tennis, and golf in high school

  • Worked on the mechanical team at ViVitro labs which was closely connected to the software and electrical team to deliver and strong overall product 

Problem Solving

  • Various design projects in IBEHS 1P10, 2P03, 3P04, and 4P04 courses

  • Analyzed root causes of product mechanical failure with ViVitro labs and implemented solutions in a timely manner.

Leadership

  • Assistant and captain of the Waterloo Wolves hockey team (2015-16)

  • Tutoring coordinator at Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School

Extracurricular Experience
iBiomed Mentor
September 2021 - Present
  • Mentoring and assisting lower-year biomedical engineering students in their transition to university

Medical Engineering Design Team - McMaster University
September 2023 - April 2024
  • Collaborated as a member of the prosthetic hand development team, focusing on the electrical aspects to enable control through upper arm muscular contractions and provide the user haptic feedback

  • Employed Arduino and incorporated force resistive sensors and vibration motors to develop an intricate haptic feedback system, effectively conveying compressive force information to users.

Medical Makers - McMaster Chapter
December 2021 - April 2022
  • Involved in a team of over 40 undergraduate students seeking to develop cost-efficient, accessible solutions to pressing medical concerns around the world through 3D printing medical devices.

McMaster Sumobot
September 2020 - April 2021
  • Member of robotics organization that challenges students to design autonomous fighting robots

  • Employed Arduino which obtained sensor information to interpret and ultimately deploy the functions of the robot

  • Achieved 1st place in the 2021 McMaster Sumobot competition

DECA Chapter Vice President - Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School 
September 2018 - June 2019
  • Guided over 180 members and executives through the 2018-2019 DECA year – over 50% of members qualified for provincials

  • Selected executives for 2019-2020 DECA year

  • Coordinated with advisors to organize member information and prepare deadlines for the entire DECA chapter

  • Worked closely with school staff to organize student information and prepare deadlines

  • Created practice exams, conducted interviews, selected executives, and prepared executives to teach competitors

Math & Science Help Coordinator - Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School 
September 2018 - June 2019
  • Conducted interviews and selected capable tutors

  • Connected students in need of help with an appropriate tutor

Math & Science Tutor - Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School 
September 2018 - June 2019
  • Tutored students in various levels of math and science

Achievements & Awards
Deans' Honour List - McMaster University

2019 - Present

  • Achieved an overall GPA of 9.5 on a 12-point grading scale throughout all terms of university

 

University Senate Scholarship - McMaster University

September 2024

  • Achievement awarded to 300 students who attain a high Fall-Winter average.

NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award

May 2022

  • Achievement awarded to complete research as an undergraduate student.

Golden Key International Honour Society

April 2020 - April 2024

  • Achievement awarded to top 15% of students in their respective program

DECA Alumni Entrance Scholarship - McMaster University

September 2019

  • Entrance award for exceptional DECA chapter contribution in secondary school 

President's Award - McMaster University

September 2019

  • Entrance scholarship for university admission average greater than 95%

Research Experience Award - McMaster University

September 2019

  • Entrance award to provide research funding for first-year undergraduate students

Subject Proficiency in SPH 4UW - Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School

June 2019

  • Achieved the highest overall grade in Grade 12 AP Physics

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