MASC Biomedical Engineering

Sameer Ahmed

Carleton User ID: 101022700

PERSONAL STATEMENT
Who are you? I have been asked this question a million times; often to denigrate. My family
emigrated from Delhi, India in 1947 I am not a Pakistani. We are a family of Punjabis living for the
past twenty years in the Pashtun majority province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa I am neither Punjabi nor
Pashtun. My father is an agnostic and mother a devout I am neither. I share neither ancestry nor
ethnicity with my people. In a society where blood defines worth, I was a case of lost identity.
In October, 2005, I volunteered to do relief work for the earthquake victims at Ayub Medical Hospital,
Abbottabad. I saw broken bones, mutilated organs, moans, tears, and crumbling smiles. I saw the
medics help the injured without distinction. The Sunni physicians did not turn away from Shiite
victims in disgust, nor was there scorn in the eyes of Pashtuns treated by Punjabis. Pain, empathy, and
gratitude helped them outgrow the shackles of their bloodlines. I realized that this was where I could
belong. From that moment on it became a life-long ambition; to engineer replacements for the people
who have lost themselves to catastrophes. It became my identity. I had no bond with my people. I
chose one myself. It was of empathy. And we keep what we choose.
I aspire to pursue Masters of Applied Science in Biomedical Engineering at Carleton University so
that I may be able to fulfill my ambitions. At Carleton, I aim to focus my research in Biomedical
Image Processing, and Biomechanics and Biomaterials. I plan to work on procedural modeling of the
human body especially, 3D modeling of the human skeleton. Using this study as the basis, I wish to
work on 3D printing of artificial bone and cartilage implants. I believe the quality of research
facilities at Carleton, its culturally diverse environment, and the encouragement it provides to
entrepreneurs will support me tremendously in trying achieve my objectives. Dr. Chris Joslins
research pertaining to 3D Computer Graphics and Animation, and Dr. Hanspeter Freis research
related to orthopaedic implant design are further reasons for my enthusiasm and desire to join
Carleton. I believe the research opportunities provided by Dr. Joslin and Dr. Frei, especially those
related to procedural modeling and orthopaedic implant design and evaluation are quite similar to my
interests and I will benefit greatly from working under their tutelage and guidance.
Curiosity, and perseverance are my key traits. These combined with my love for building things made
engineering an easy choice for undergraduate studies. My experiences at Ayub Medical Hospital,
empathy for the destitute, and fascination with anatomy and physiology of the human body led me to
Biomedical Engineering. I knew that undertaking undergraduate studies in Mechanical Engineering
would prepare me well for graduate studies and research in Biomedical Engineering. I chose
accordingly and was one of the only three students in my High School who got admission into the
highest ranked university in Pakistan, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST).
Passions birth interests. At NUST, I fell in love with Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Structures,
Materials, and Fluid Dynamics. I was consistently ranked in the top five percent of my class in all
these subjects. Owing to my proficiency at explaining complex principles with simplicity, I was one
of the most sought after tutors in my hostel. In my final year, I began teaching Thermodynamics and
Mechanics to foreign students, especially Saudis and Yemenis, as well.
Furthermore, I actively participated in several engineering competitions and organized some as well.
These include ASME Egg Drop Competitions, ASME Glider Building Contests, Technical Poster
Competitions, 3D Modeling Competitions, and Speed Programming competitions. My prowess at
design and analysis grew and I was chosen as the junior most designer of the team that represented
NUST at Shell Eco Marathon, Malaysia in 2010.
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MASC Biomedical Engineering

Sameer Ahmed

Carleton User ID: 101022700

In my final year of undergraduate studies, my team took up design and fabrication of a three
dimensional (3D) fused deposition modeling (FDM) printer as our final year project. I proposed the
working principle and detailed design of the project. The printer composed of two major components;
(1) a super-heated extruder assembly that translated in X and Y axis and discharged molten
acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and (2) a platform that moved in the Z axes. My
thermodynamic calculations were spot on. Using Heislers Charts, I had predicted the temperature for
successful extrusion to be 313.30C. ABS oozed out of the nozzle at 325 0C. The printer passed the
initial runs. However, two weeks prior to the final exhibition, the platform refused to budge. I had
made errors in calculating the load bearing capacity of the stepper motor connected to the platform.
We still persevered. We shifted all three translations to the extruder assembly, fixed the platform, and
re-programmed the custom made software that controlled the printer. Although we managed to
complete the modifications in time, our final year project report was delayed and it eventually cost us
the Presidents gold medal. Nevertheless, it was an enlightening experience. It made me realize that
no matter how detailed your calculations are, you should always leave room for contingencies. I
further gathered that we should have asked an electronics engineer for help instead of meddling in
affairs we knew little about.
On completion of my undergraduate studies, I volunteered to work for Xplorer 3D, a startup based in
Karachi. The firms goal was to establish a market for 3D Printers in Pakistan. They procured parts of
printers from China and assembled them in Karachi. In addition to technical expertise, the firm
provided me the opportunity to experience the commercial facet of 3D printing and the ordeals faced
by embryonic startups. Later, I joined Descon Engineering and owing to my exceptional performance
I was soon transferred to Abu Dhabi. Family and friends often ask why I chose to join Descon when I
had already decided to pursue further studies and a career in research and academia. I had two
reasons; I wanted to experience the ordeals faced when applying theoretical knowledge to real-world
problems and I did not have enough savings to finance two years of Graduate School. I addition to
awareness of complications involved in bringing a discovery from a lab to factory, I have saved
enough in these three years to afford two years of Graduate School.
Pakistan has bled. My people have suffered more than was their due. Terrorism, floods, racism, and
ignorance have wreaked havoc. I wish to heal them. After completion of my doctorate in Biomedical
Engineering, I aspire to return and work towards rehabilitation of victims of such catastrophes. The
bond that I chose will enable me to treat the afflicted without discrimination. My passions, ideals,
abilities, and work experience will help me establish startups in collaboration with government
hospitals in Pakistan. By establishing such firms, not only will I be able to assist the victims of such
misfortunes, but also inspire others to follow my lead. I believe my efforts will not only help save
lives in Pakistan but also contribute to the ongoing scientific research at Carleton University. I hope
the Admissions Committee will consider my application and grant me an opportunity to prove my
worth.