About Me

I’m a 2nd year Bioengineering Doctoral Student at UC San Diego focused on improving brainstem Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) under the guidance of Dr. Thomas Liu and Dr. Albert Hsiao. My work takes both an acquisition-based as well as an AI-centric, correction-based approach to minimizing off resonance and motion related artifacts that significantly hinder the accuracy of brainstem functional imaging.

Prior to joining UC San Diego as a Bioengineering doctoral student, I completed a Bachelor’s of Arts in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science in May of 2022 and a Master’s of Science in Electrical Engineering Computer Science (EECS) in May of 2023 at UC Berkeley. I also focused on minimizing cardiac and respiratory induced motion artifacts using microwave frequencies to track subject motion under the guidance of Dr. Michael Lustig throughout my undergraduate and graduate studies at UC Berkeley.

In addition to medical imaging, I have research experience in utilizing mathematical models to understand biological systems and I’m also very interested in mathematical oncology and biophysics. My current research interests include biomedical imaging, biophotonics, signal processing theory, biomedical signals, biomechanics, and biofluid dynamics.

Education

University of California, San Diego

Bioengineering Doctoral Student

University of California, Berkeley

Masters of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering Computer Science

Awarded on May 12 2023

University of California, Berkeley

Bachelors of Arts in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science with Honors

Awarded on May 13 2022

Pasadena City College

Associates of Arts in Engineering and Technology with Honors

Awarded on June 18 2017

Pasadena City College

Associates of Arts in Natural Sciences with Honors

Awarded on June 18 2017

Grants, Fellowships, & Awards

National Institute of Health (NIH)

September 2024 - present

Ruth L. Kirschstein Institutional National Research Service Award Recipient (NIH/NBIB T32 Grant). [More Information]

UC San Diego Interfaces Graduate Training Program

September 2024 - present

Interfaces Graduate Training Program provides trainees with additional coursework, professional development, and mentorship focused on the “Multi-Scale Analysis of Biological Structures and Function”. “Successful completion of the PhD requirements and the specialization requirements leads to the specific doctoral designation, Ph.D. in Bioengineering with a Specialization in Multi-Scale Biology. This is a unique distinction only afforded to students in the participating departments of the Interfaces Program.” [More Information]

Alfred P. Sloan Scholar Award & Fellowship

September 2023 - present

Awarded the Sloan Scholar Fellowship for an outstanding undergraduate and graduate academic record as well as for demonstrating a strong commitment “to enhance diversity to the benefit of the entire campus community”. Sloan Scholars receive numerous career and leadership building opportunities in addition to a financial award. [More Information]

Selected Publications

Lamar K. Respiratory and Cardiac Motion Correction Using the Beat Pilot Tone. Master’s thesis, EECS Department, University of California, Berkeley, May 2023. UCB/EECS-2023-169.

[Master’s Thesis]

Lamar-Bruno K, Anand S, Lustig M. Cardiac and Respiratory-Resolved Image Reconstruction using the Beat Pilot Tone. ISMRM-ESMRMB 2022 Abstract, May 2022.

[Abstract] [Journal]

Lamar-Bruno, K. Retrospective Motion Correction in Magnetic Resonance Imaging using the Beat-Pilot Tone. UC Berkeley Mathematics Honors Program 2022.

[Honors Thesis] [Honors Program]

Lamar, K. Mechanical Integrator. HTCC Building Bridges Journal, 5 March 2017.

[Abstract] [Journal]

** Some of the above links require additional permissions in order to view. Please contact Katie Lamar if you would like access.

Selected Presentations & Posters

Cardiac and Respiratory-Resolved Image Reconstruction with the Beat Pilot Tone. International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 2022 Joint Meeting.

[Video]

Retrospective Motion Correction for Magnetic Resonance Imaging using the Beat Pilot Tone. UC Berkeley Engineering Research Symposium 2021.

[Poster]

Retrospective Motion Correction for Magnetic Resonance Imaging using the Beat Pilot Tone. Summer Undergraduate Program in Engineering Research at Berkeley (SUPERB) 2021 Poster Session.

[Technical Talk Recording] [SUPERB REU]

Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Methods via DNA Nanotechnology. Undergraduate Laboratory @ Berkeley Physics & Astronomy (ULAB) 2020 Showcase.

[Poster] [ULAB Physics & Astronomy]

** Some of the above links require additional permissions in order to view. Please contact Katie Lamar if you would like access.