Hello again!

It’s kind of wild to realize we’ve already been in the Dominican Republic for a month now. Time really does fly when you’re fully immersed in meaningful work and constantly learning in a new place.

This week was one of my favorites so far! It was packed with experiences that challenged me, moved me, and reaffirmed my interest in gynecology and maternal-child health.

Early in the week, we had an in-depth discussion about the Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) project we’re contributing to. George Suazo visited to present the scope of the work: developing a low-cost alternative to the gooseneck lamps currently used in NICUs to warm premature babies, and designing sensors that could be placed on infants in kangaroo care to monitor vital signs. These sensors would help generate clinical data to support the efficacy of skin-to-skin care.

We had already visited the Kangaroo Clinic at Los Mina the previous week, where we observed about 10 consultations under the guidance of Dr. Guillermina Nadal. Seeing KMC in action really helped us understand the value of the method. Most of the babies were stable and benefited greatly from the warmth and regulation skin-to-skin contact provides. Since I’m NREMT certified, Dr. Nadal even let me take vitals, including bpm and lung auscultations, which was incredibly rewarding. Some babies were underweight, some had genetic or neurological conditions like Edward’s syndrome, and each had their own unique challenges. I was very astonished by how small some of these babies were, as she told me they were all the same age, but their development was an issue.

The visit to the NICU also brought up some critical insights. Many incubators lacked proper heating regulation and instead relied on gooseneck lamps, which sometimes led to burns due to fragile neonatal skin. On top of that, humidity regulation was missing, and only the most critical babies were hooked up to vital-sign monitors. These conditions really shaped how I interpreted George’s presentation and highlighted the urgent need for both thermal regulation and accessible vitals monitoring, especially for premature babies in both stable and critical conditions.

A major takeaway from this week was realizing that we could possibly be designing for two very different neonatal audiences:

1. Stable premature babies—these infants benefit most from kangaroo care and shouldn’t be placed on warming beds unless necessary.

2. Critical premature babies—these require intervention in NICUs, whether for jaundice treatment, ventilation, or monitoring. They can’t stay in skin-to-skin contact for long stretches and thus need a reliable thermal crib setup, ideally with vital monitoring sensors as well.

However, since we don’t have much time left, we want to figure out which is more of a priority.

On Thursday, we discussed our project plan with Dr. Emin Rivera. While we came up with a few great ideas, we also agreed that we needed to talk to more clinicians and nurses to really sharpen our needs statement. The upcoming trip to Barahona with Dr. Floren will help us do just that, and we are excited to practice some need-finding skills and ask all the right questions to pediatricians (the most difficult part!).

The highlight of the week for me was shadowing OBGYNs in the obstetric ward at Los Minas on Tuesday and Saturday.

I had the honor of working with Dr. Rosa, a second-year resident, who explained each prenatal patient’s condition during rounds. I met patients in early labor, those requiring C-sections, and others with high-risk conditions like preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy involving high blood pressure and signs of organ damage. One patient I observed had a catheter inserted, which helped monitor her urine; a darker color could indicate HELLP syndrome, a dangerous progression of preeclampsia. Due to systemic inequities, many patients at Los Minas arrive without having received any prenatal care, making these complications more common and severe. For these cases, babies are delivered pre-term in order to save more lives.

I witnessed three births: one vaginal and two C-sections. Watching the medical team manage each step of the delivery, from using Doppler ultrasounds to track fetal heart rates to performing an amniotomy with a syringe instead of a specialized amnihook (due to resource limitations), was incredibly eye-opening. I even learned how the placenta is removed and how physicians carefully stitch vaginal tears after childbirth. Dr. Solano Turbi, the chief resident, took the time to walk me through the C-section procedures, including each layer of incision and the cauterizing tools used. Truly unforgettable.

Something that I noticed at this ward was the fact that they walked patients who were about to give birth to the OR. These patients almost tripped and fell multiple times. I asked one of the residents about this, and he told me how he disliked how they do it here. He believes that walking these patients over results in the frequency of vaginal tears here. I’ve been trying to brainstorm an alternative to walking patients over to the OR; however, the hallways are pretty narrow and bringing over the whole bed would be inconvenient. This is definitely a problem I want to explore in different hospitals.

Other than that, I couldn’t believe they had 50 births scheduled that day; it was a hectic but amazing environment to learn in. I fully plan to return to this hospital to continue learning and maybe even get feedback on our prototype.

As the week wrapped up, we focused on refining our approach to the KMC project. We now clearly understand that:

• Babies stable enough for kangaroo care should stay with the mother and do not need a thermal crib.

• Babies who require NICU interventions must have a reliable thermal environment and do need vitals sensors to guide care.

• Both groups would benefit from affordable, non-invasive sensors to monitor vital signs.

We’re heading to Barahona soon, where Dr. Floren will also be distributing Dream Warmers—a portable, non-electric warming solution developed by Boston Children’s Hospital. I’m really excited to see how these are received and to learn more from the pediatricians and nurses working in those facilities.

Now moving on to some quick excursion updates!  Went to Soana Island last Sunday! SO surreal! Fun fact: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was filmed there. I also tried quenepas for the first time—they brought back memories of similar fruits I’ve had in Thailand. Definitely a nostalgic (and delicious) moment!

Thanks for tuning in again this week!

Writing these entries reminds me how lucky I am to be here. I came in loving gynecology, and each week I get to experience it firsthand, I leave more sure that I’ve found something I’m truly passionate about.

Until next time,

-Valerie

(P.S. here are some long-awaited photos of the first time I tested my model at Los Minas!)

This week has been nothing short of incredible. From walking through centuries of history in the colonial zone to examining NICUs, I felt like I was straddling two worlds—one foot in the past, one charging toward the future of medicine.

We started off by visiting Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia University Maternity Hospital, the largest maternity hospital in Santo Domingo. Accompanied by Dr. Angelica Floren, a pediatrician and president of DOFMI, and her colleague from the University of Zaragoza (a microbiologist specializing in infectious disease), we attended a presentation on neonatal sepsis and hospital-acquired infections. He emphasized not just early detection but also the critical importance of cleanliness in clinical settings, something that, honestly, feels like such a basic concept but is too often overlooked in resource-constrained environments.

Later, we were introduced to three biomedical engineers from Comen, a company that develops neonatal incubators and other medical equipment. I was fascinated watching them at work: observing, photographing, and analyzing every inch of the NICU setup. They weren’t just there to pitch products. One of the engineers told us, “I’m not a salesman, I’m here to help hospitals improve their care.” That stuck with me. It was inspiring to witness someone so committed to making technology work for people, not just selling it to them. That’s the kind of biomedical practice I want to be part of.

 

On Friday, we visited Los Mina Maternity Hospital, the second largest in the city, known for taking in overflow cases from other facilities. Dr. Floren and her colleague introduced us to the hospital director, Dr. Armando Cemejo Cepada, an OBGYN. The facilities were clean and clearly improving, especially compared to years ago from what Dr. Floren mentioned. We toured their obstetrics unit, NICU, and microbiology lab, where I got to see the BacT/ALERT system in action, a machine donated by CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) that detects bacterial growth in blood cultures. It’s been a while since I’ve seen biotech like this in a clinical setting, and it was very interesting to learn about these machines once again.

 

But the absolute highlight of the week? Presenting my cervical and endometrial biopsy training models to a group of gynecology residents. It felt surreal to share a project we’ve poured so much time and heart into. When we brought out the models, the residents lit up. They immediately started matching cervical abnormalities to the correct sliders, and several tried taking biopsies themselves. Seeing their reactions was so rewarding, as they told me it felt very accurate. I also gained very insightful information during this time. They told me that they performed cervical biopsies around 4 to 5 times a week; however, they mainly perform LEEP, loop electrosurgical excision procedures. This was a procedure that I very much want to add to the LUCIA, and I am excited to get started on that. I’ve done some research on the procedure, and I was curious if there was a need for an alternative to electrosurgical generators. These generators are used to heat up the instrument that is used to cauterize the cervix tissue during the biopsy, and I did not know if med schools could afford to buy extra just for training. I got mixed answers from the residents, but I plan to dive deeper into this need. They also told me that they performed endometrial biopsies more often than cervical biopsies. This matched up with some prior research I had done, where there has been a sudden trend in risk for uterine cancer in Dominican women. This truly showed the need for such a training model.

They also shared how, during their own medical training, they used old models or even fruits to practice procedures. There was no proper training model they were actually using in medical schools, despite how common cervical and endometrial screenings have recently become. I gave them surveys to gather feedback, and they even invited us back to shadow them in surgery and delivery rooms and to continue refining the model together. We are very excited to begin working with these residents, and I am truly honored by their offer!

One conversation really stayed with me: a resident told me how early teen pregnancies and rising obesity rates are leading to more cases of endometrial cancer here in the Dominican Republic. Many teen mothers suffer from severe hypertension, and premature births are common. Seeing such tiny babies in the NICUs was heartbreaking—but also deeply motivating. These hospitals are doing everything they can to save these little lives, and with the help of advanced equipment and passionate clinicians, we are making progress. Even small changes, like replacing tape with clean plastic wrap to reduce contamination, can make a difference.

Outside of the hospitals, we made sure to explore a bit of the country too last weekend. We visited the Colonial Zone, the oldest European settlement in the Americas, and walked the cobblestone streets lined with history. At the Christopher Columbus Lighthouse, I stood in awe of its sheer size (it was HUGE). We also relaxed at Boca Chica, where we met a very sweet local boy who proudly offered to teach us how to swim (definitely a memory I’ll always carry with me).

 

 

On the technical side of things, I’ve been developing the endometrial biopsy training model further. We’re now prototyping with an infrared sensor with an LED to detect proximity to the uterine wall—goodbye Eddy current, hello precision! It runs on an Arduino board, and I’ve been diving into the code to get it just right. It’s been fun flexing my engineering muscles again. I’m also redesigning the LEEP component of the cervical model in CAD, aiming to improve on what LUCIA didn’t quite perfect. My current focus is creating a better cervix holder that can withstand repeated procedures and give more realistic feedback.

This week reaffirmed everything I’ve ever felt about wanting to be an OBGYN. Being here, learning from these doctors, engineers, and residents—it’s a dream come true. I feel inspired, humbled, and ready to keep pushing our projects forward to provide quality care to everyone, no matter where they are from.

Thanks for following along. Until next week!

– Valerie <3

p.s. I’m waiting on a bunch of awesome photos that were taken by their photographer, so brace yourselves 😉

 

Hello everybody, and welcome back to my blog!

This first week has been absolutely amazing!

Every morning we wake up to a view of the ocean, and our walk to campus is surrounded by vibrant trees. The UNAPEC campus is beautiful! I especially love how there are so many trees on campus, and the sunlight filters through them, making everything feel alive and colorful.

This week, we’ve been primarily based at UNAPEC, where we met the faculty and students. We’ve been paired with two amazing electrical engineering students, Darien and Ezeul, who are helping us implement electrical features into our medical training devices. They are absolutely brilliant, and we are learning so much from them! 

For my project, we’re developing a sensor that alerts trainees if they’re about to penetrate the uterus — a serious complication that can happen during real procedures. Our clinical mentors told us that uterine perforation can sometimes lead to intestinal injury, so this is something we want to simulate and prevent during training.

We’re using something called the eddy current effect to detect proximity between the metal curette (the tool used for the biopsy) and a sensor. Essentially, when a conductor (like our metal tool) moves through a changing magnetic field, it induces circular electric currents (“eddy currents”) which, in turn, make the conductor slightly magnetic. We’re harnessing this effect so that when the curette gets too close to the sensor, it triggers a blinking light or a beeping sound that will notify trainees that they’ve gone too far in our model. 

Currently, we’re building the prototype with an Arduino, breadboard, and a wire coil that senses the tool’s movement. When it gets close enough, the light blinks. I’ve always wanted to get more comfortable with circuits and electrical engineering, so this has been an incredible opportunity to learn from Darien and Ezeul.

As well, to give everyone a feel for the procedure, I had the team try taking a “biopsy” from an orange using the curette. Clinicians told us that an orange’s pulp texture is surprisingly similar to that of the human endometrium, and they weren’t kidding. When my Rice team first tried it, we were shocked by how much it did feel like flesh (a bit unsettling, might I say). It’s hard to describe the texture until you feel it yourself, which made it very fun to see their reactions and descriptions. 

Now that the team understands the texture I’m aiming to recreate, I’m really looking forward to getting clinical feedback here and improving the realism of our silicone uterus model. We have silicon and access to a 3D printer, so I hope to make a new mold in the coming weeks! 

The first half of the week was packed with prototyping and Arduino work, but we also got a tour of UNAPEC’s engineering labs, and they had so many facilities! We’ve been spending a lot of time in their library and grabbing lunch at the cafeteria (which has delicious food at mind-blowingly affordable prices). Also, very important: there are campus cats! One of them, a yellow tabby, is named Cheese. Love, love, love. 

 

We also met Dr. George L. Suazo, who’s a doctor affiliated with DOFMI, and we got to show him our prototypes. He’ll be guiding us on hospital visits and bringing us to biomedical engineering conferences! Dylan and I are so excited. Our first hospital visit is on Tuesday, where we’ll meet Dr. Floren and begin gathering clinical feedback. I’m especially thrilled to see OB/GYNs test our prototype and hear their thoughts on its realism.

I also learned from George that cervical and uterine cancers are on the rise in the Dominican Republic, in part due to limited training for screening procedures. Early pregnancies in teenage girls are more common here, increasing their risk for these cancers. I’m looking forward to learn how they train for screening procedures and to tailor our model to better meet their needs.

After hours, we’ve been venturing into the city. We had dinner at Capuccino, which is famous for its desserts (yes, they lived up to the hype), and then tried El Lenazo, where I finally got to try mofongo (something I’ve been waiting to try), and it was absolutely delicious! The ambiance was beautiful, too.

As someone who is half Puerto Rican, I’ve always felt somewhat disconnected from that part of my identity. Being here in the Dominican Republic, which shares so much culturally with Puerto Rico, has been surprisingly grounding. Hearing and speaking Spanish, picking up familiar slang from my dad’s side, and being surrounded by salsa and merengue bring back so many memories. Growing up, my dad always had music playing in the house, and now I find myself smiling every time I hear a song I recognize in a restaurant or on the street.

This week was mostly focused on prototyping, but this weekend we’re planning to explore more of the city. Our goal: visit the Colonial Zone and hopefully make it to a beach (as we must, obviously).

Also: birding update! So far, I’ve only seen the common pigeon… but I’m officially on the lookout for the elusive green today. Wish me luck T^T. 

I’m so excited for the weeks ahead — from hospital visits to new prototypes to exploring more of this beautiful country. Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for the next update! 🌞

~ Valerie

 

Hello everyone!  

 

To whoever is reading this—welcome to my blog! 

This is just the beginning, and so much is in store for y’all, but first let’s start with some introductions—Hello! My name is Valerie Valentin, and I’m a rising sophomore from Lovett College majoring in Bioengineering with a minor in Global Health Technologies. My love for medicine started at a young age, and over time, it grew into a passion for innovative medical technology. This curiosity is what led me to take the introductory Global Health course at Rice, as I wanted to explore how medicine and technology intersect in a global context and the impact they have.

After exploring global health disparities and the process of needs assessment in underserved settings, I enrolled in Global Health Technologies 360, and, hands down, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Through that course, I had the most amazing opportunity to create an additional attachment for the LUCIA, Rice360’s Low-cost Universal Cervical Instructional Apparatus. This training model is used to teach healthcare trainees how to screen for cervical cancer, one of the most prevalent yet preventable cancers, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Together with my amazing team (huge shoutout to Lauren Walcott, Saumya Chauhan, Grace Haddad, and Jewel Moore-Young) and under the guidance of Dr. Jenny Karns-Plante and clinical mentors Dr. Mila Salcedo and Dr. Parisa Fallah, we formed Team Uterus Universal. Our goal? To tackle the rising burden of uterine cancer by designing a functional uterus and cervix attachment for LUCIA that would train users to perform endometrial biopsies, which is the current standard for uterine cancer screening.

Over one semester, I honed my CAD design skills, learned how to collaborate and communicate effectively in a team, and applied a global health lens to the engineering design process. The experience was truly meaningful, especially because of my deep-rooted passion for gynecology. It reminded me why I love the intersection of engineering and medicine so much, as well as for innovation. 

Now, I’m incredibly excited to take this passion abroad as a Rice360 Summer Intern in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic!

This summer, I’ll be working with Dylan Yoon alongside UNAPEC and the Dominican Foundation for Mothers & Infants (DOFMI). One of our main projects will involve designing a sensor for the Kangaroo Mother Care system, which is a method used with premature infants where skin-to-skin contact between the baby and mother helps regulate the baby’s temperature, breathing, and overall health. Our role is to help develop a sensor that monitors vital signs and physiological responses during skin-to-skin contact, so clinicians can better understand and evaluate its benefits.

We’ll also be conducting needs assessments in local hospitals under the mentorship of Dr. George Suazo, identifying challenges mothers and newborns face during hospital stays. I’m really looking forward to contributing to solutions that can improve care experiences for both moms and babies!

I’m also very excited to have the chance to present my partner’s and my previous projects, receive direct feedback, and observe physicians interacting with our LUCIA uterus model! I’m especially thrilled to see how our prototype performs in a real-world context and to support Dylan as he evaluates his own project—a device that quantifies breastfeeding metrics by measuring pressure data.

My goal for this internship is to truly make the most of every opportunity that comes my way—whether it’s learning new skills in electronics, gaining crucial context for solutions designed for LMICs, helping others through needs finding, or observing how physicians stay calm and collected during critical and high-stress moments.

Beyond my interest in more technical aspects, I’m also very passionate about exploring different cultures and trying all sorts of new cuisines (I’m especially excited for the tostones!). I also want to fully immerse myself in Dominican culture—from practicing my Spanish to trying new foods and visiting local landmarks and cultural sites (suggestions always welcome!). I’m also an avid birder, so get ready for some wonderful bird photos in the upcoming blogs!

I know I’ll be stepping out of my comfort zone on this trip, as I’ve never been in a foreign country where I didn’t know anyone, but I’m genuinely excited to learn, grow, and embrace everything this summer has in store.

Here’s to designing for impact, learning from others, and making health more equitable one prototype at a time!

Thanks for following along! See you in the next blog 😀

– Valerie 💙