Professional Documents
Culture Documents
At the beginning of the year, I wished to investigate into a field and research project
relating to a specific part of the human body, detailed anatomy and physiology, machinery and
imaging, and computational mathematics. It is amazing how the course of the year has given me
enough insight to internalize such interests and come up with an original product plan that
encompasses them all. In the beginning of the year I did not know one bit about how these
interests would be applied to an original work, but consistent effort, proper learning experiences
(through both myself and my mentor), and gradual development has allowed me to settle on a
holistic project.
The project may seem extrinsically simple: to model a human skull with proper
nasolacrimal anatomy and 3-D print it with nylon 66, ABS, or other sturdy materials. However, it
topic of interest in the beginning of the year due to my interest in small details and delicate
procedure. Throughout my interviews with professionals, I gained insight into several sub-
specialties until I learned about oculoplastic surgery. A compelling and comprehensive field,
specialized organ system that relates to many other systems in the face. The field relies upon the
use of several specialized tools and delicate procedures that carefully maneuver through the
passionate about 3-D printing as well as 3-D scanning, both he and I concluded that modeling
and maybe printing a human skill that emphasized the nasolacrimal system would be the most
viable as well as useful product I could make. By doing this, I am more directly addressing my
interests: learning about detailed anatomy and physiology, focusing on the system responsible for
sight and tear flow, making geometric and spatial analyses, and using modeling software and
something that is potentially useful: even Dr. Mancini cited how a proper model can be used to
educate medical students and residents as well as be used to make measurements and fittings for
Firstly, I must listen to lectures about specific areas of the upper face and watch the
corresponding surgery to get a lecture-application dual lesson. These resources are provided on
the master DVD my mentor provided me (videos of his lectures, diagrams, and labeled
surgeries). Slowly, I must learn how several specific regions of the upper face and orbital system
connect with each other and watch larger surgeries that involve interconnected components. The
idea of small to large is applied in effective learning, especially when large amounts of
do reconstructive surgery on a crushed in portion of the orbit, in which knowledge and skills
As aforementioned, I first learn about the informational basis: a proper study of the
anatomy, physiology, and functionality of the nasolacrimal system. The next step is to use a
modeling software called Autodesk Inventor to structurally model a skull with accurate and
detailed anatomy of the eye sockets, nose bridge and smaller oculofacial bones in behind the
anterior side, such as the lacrimal bone, zygomatic bone, nasal concha, and aveolar process.
Autodesk Inventor is free, and my resources to learn and develop using it are also open to me
(Dr. Mancinis DVD and YouTube tutorials). After successfully modeling a detailed skull, I will
have several trials of printing it out with the 3-D printer at the UT Dallas Nanotech Institute. The
trials will be done because I will try several materials, primarily nylon 66 and ABS. Nylon 66
and ABS will cost a certain investment, but they are so widespread throughout the Nanotech
Institute that they will be extremely affordable, especially due to my previous connections at the
research lab. What will really require time investment is the actual 3-D printing itself. I will
enlist the help of Dr. Carter Haines and fellow high school senior Brian Buckenham to assist me
with the management and scheduling for the 3-D printer at UT Dallas that I am so familiar with.
If they require me to pay them, I will be willing to spend money. If they do ask for money, I
estimate that it will be around 20 to 30 dollars, since they need to purchase materials and
software compatibility to run the machine. The amount of trials to be done must also consider a
major problem in 3-D printing - warping. This is the three-dimensional distortion due to
slightly unbalanced forces, temperature changes, and gravity during 3-D printing. After that, I
will measure several tools against the design of the skull. I would like to borrow model implants
and molds from Dr. Mancini to insert into the skull, so that I can demonstrate the complexities of
oculoplastic surgery and learn it for myself as well. This four step process is comprehensive but
well-planned out.
Conclusion
Ultimately, I hope to print a successful skull that has a multi-faceted palate of usages, as
described in detail in the first section. However, it will be most useful for me because it will
provide me with an opportunity to lead a collaborative project between many people as well as
The independence, time management, and career focus I will gain by not only doing an
Original Work but also being part of a team of driven peers will build my character as I finish
high school and enter the realm of college and adulthood. Just like ophthalmology focuses on the
small details for great success, I must learn to attend to the specifics of the project at hand to see
For additional details, please reference the Methodologies section of the Product Proposal.
April 1
By this date, I will have reviewed all the necessary lectures and surgeries on Dr. Mancinis DVD.
My deeper understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the nasolacrimal system will allow
me to initiate a full-scale skull modeling on a software - Autodesk Inventor - I have already been
learning about.
April 15
By the 15th, I will have successfully modeled a skull in Autodesk Inventor. During this time, I
will frequently visit my mentor to discuss and edit the formation of the skull.
May 6
I will have printed out the skull in the ideal material - one that is light but also shape-retaining
for consistency (a human skull does not bend or warp; thus, the model must parallel a true skulls
physical properties as closely as possible). I will also have more than one printed out. This
portion of the project is the one that requires the most time, attention, and resources (outside help
and money).
May 13
I will have measured several implants and molds against the skull to show its usage, labeled it
thoroughly to symbolize its educational abilities, and even insert a few of the aforementioned
implants in the skull to visually demonstrate the worth of having a detailed model skull.
Application of theory is one of the greatest attributes of a medical education. My board and
portfolio will have been updated in the two weeks prior to this date. By this date, I shall be
frustrated that Final Presentation Night will not have arrived yet.