Meet Hadas Lupa
Meet Hadas Lupa, who’s pursuing an MSc degree in electrical engineering, in the electro-optics track, at BIU’s Alexander Kofkin Faculty of Engineering.
Student Spotlight on MSc Candidate Hadas Lupa
Fascinated by the biomedical world, she is now completing her thesis on the use of a non-invasive sensing mechanism on patients with facial paralysis. Meet Hadas Lupa, who’s pursuing an MSc degree in electrical engineering, in the electro-optics track, at BIU’s Alexander Kofkin Faculty of Engineering. Hadas, who collaborates with physicians at Sheba Medical Center, recently returned from a three-month research stint at the University of Valencia in Spain, where she worked with local scientists as part of the Erasmus+ student exchange program.
Her thesis, under the supervision of BIU Prof. Zeev Zalevsky, now Kofkin Faculty dean, examines the use of a novel, non-contact mechanism for sensing face muscle activity for two applications: emotion recognition (for example, to help robots read human feelings) and facial degeneration evaluation in Bell’s palsy condition. She is also exploring how such a laser sensor, which detects nano vibrations not usually visible to the naked eye, may be employed to monitor respiration as well as heart rate and sound (the focus of her research in Valencia). Her research findings may ultimately enable medical staff to more accurately diagnose disorders and prescribe effective medications.
In her spare time, Hadas engages in the arts, painting and sculpting with iron wire. She took time out from her busy schedule to answer our questionnaire.
Why I chose to study this field:
The interface of technology and medicine has long intrigued me and in fact, I obtained an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering. The bio-medical field I now focus on at Bar-Ilan is an area where innovation and development can be very meaningful, and even save lives.
What I enjoy most at Bar-Ilan:
My studies and the freedom I have to organize my time in ways that suit me best. I like the fact that my days are varied. Although I’ve had a learning routine for years, I find that the current material is always so interesting and different from what I’ve studied before. Moreover, I can choose the topics I wish to work on and, in this way, I’m able to satisfy my curiosity.
My favorite corner on campus:
The benches among the trees, off of the lower level of the engineering building. Sometimes it’s just fun to feel like I’m picnicking between the lab and the office.
Future plans:
I want to work in a start-up company that deals with medical devices, and later, maybe even start such a company of my own. My dream is to see my ideas come to fruition for a product that can help people deal with health challenges.
What I will take with me from my Bar-Ilan studies:
The friendships that I have made during my studies, and the independence to learn and develop in the fields that interest me.