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Rudy Toepfer

[email protected]    206-380-6758    Seattle, WA

Education

University of Washington — Seattle, WA
B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering — 09/2021 - 06/2023
Concentration: Materials Computation and Data Science

Experience

Janicki Industries – Quality Engineer – 06/2024 - Present

UW Medicine - Center for Research in Education and Simulation Technology (CREST) – Materials Science Engineering – 01/2022 - 05/2024

• Prepared and tested human tissue, hydrogels, and synthetic materials using ASTM standards and lab developed procedures to develop design requirements for simulator devices that mimic human tissue.
• Diligently recorded lab notes and test results, contributed data to the Human Tissue Property Database (HTDB), and communicated results with coworkers and collaborators. Analyzed data in HTDB using MATLAB to aid in the development of the most precise simulated organs available.
• Designed and built surgical simulation products using 3D printing and other traditional processing techniques. Researched and investigated the use of novel materials such as hydrogels for use in simulation.
• Programmed Universal Robots arm and integrated with force cell to automate tissue characterization, ensuring repeatability of experiments while protecting costly and delicate hardware. Created custom 3D printed test jigs.
• Built Graphical User Interface (GUI) to control custom lab equipment and acquire data, which simplifies data collection.

UW Materials Science and Engineering – Capstone – 01/2023 - 06/2023

• Collaborated with PACCAR to perform streamlined Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of Kenworth T680 to assess environmental impacts. Resulted in quantitative information to guide environmental decisions.
• Presented results (presentation available here) to decision makers showing need for full LCA in Kenworth and Peterbilt vehicles manufactured by PACCAR.

UW College of Engineering – Engineering Ambassador – 02/2022 - 06/2023

• Selected as an ambassador to encourage students from all backgrounds to pursue STEM at UW.
• Collaborated with other student leaders to create new and engaging ways to reach students age K-12 and community college.
• Developed and delivered presentations (presentation available here), interactive activities, and individualized meetings with students.

UW Bioengineering in Nepal – Student Participant – 08/2022 - 09/2022

• Partnership with Kathmandu University to identify and analyze clinical needs based on observations and consultation with clinicians and hospital staff.
• Focused on identified need for improving patient return electrode technology, which would reduce costs and improve sustainability.
• Presented findings (presentation available here) at Dhulikhel Hospital and University of Washington for possible future development.

Publications

• Gong, A.T., Yau, S.-W.O., Erickson, H.B., Toepfer, R.J., Zhang, J., Deschmidt, A.M., Parsey, C.J., Norfleet, J.E., Sweet, R.M. “Characterizing the Suture Pullout Force for Human Small Bowel”, Journal of Biomechanical Engineering 146(1), 014502, 2024.
• Gong, A.T., Erickson, H.B., DeSchmidt, A.M., Toepfer, R.J., Nguyen, E.H., Norfleet, J.E., Sweet, R.M. “Quantifying the Suture Pullout Forces of Small Bowel Anastomosis for Surgical and Simulation Applications”, Journal of the American College of Surgeons 235(5), S34, 2022.

Skills

MATLAB, Python, SolidWorks, Excel, Powerpoint, Word, ImageJ, Durometry, Tension/Compression testing with TA Electroforce Instruments (Proficient)
URScript, Fusion, Azure, Quantum ESPRESSO, scikit-learn (Familiar)

Coursework

Data Science & Materials Informatics: Yearlong course in computing and data science for Materials Science. Focus on data mining, data processing, visualization, multiscale simulation using Quantum ESPRESSO, machine learning using scikit-learn, and high performance computing using UW Hyak and Microsoft Azure.

MSE Lab: Yearlong course focused on lab practices, report writing, and equipment used in materials processing and characterization.
Processing: Quenching, Hydrogel Polymerization, PMMA Spheres, Ceramic Powder Processing, YBCO Superconductor Synthesis, Precipitation Hardening, Cold Rolling, Investment Casting, Slip Casting, 2D Materials Manufacturing, KLayout 2D Lithography and Crystal Growth
Characterization: XRD, FTIR, LSPA, TGA, DSC, SEM, EDS, XRF, UV-Vis, Metals Sample Preparation (Polishing and Etching), Grain Size Analysis with ImageJ, Hardness Testing, Charpy Impact Testing, Fractography, Instron Tension/Compression Testing, Diffusivity and Swelling Analysis, Diode Characterization, and Resistivity Characterization.

Intro to MSE: Industry project to protect against aluminum-carbon fiber corrosion on airplanes.

EGR110: Project based engineering course focused on teamwork, innovation, and problem solving skills; built software and hardware for model wind turbine.

Engineering Computing with Applications (MATLAB): Basic Thermal Modeling Of Devices, Sound Generation, Solar Data Analysis

Other Courses Include: Failure Analysis And Durability Of Materials (Includes Root Cause Analysis), Materials Processing I/II, Composite Materials, Engineering Graphics (SolidWorks), Materials Characterization, Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Electronic Properties of Materials, Functional Properties of Materials I, Thermodynamics and Phase Equilibrium, Kinetics and Microstructural Evolution, Crystallography and Structure, Statics, Dynamics, Mechanics of Materials, Fundamentals of Materials Science, and Technical Communication.